Police explain startling sight at Hamilton Viewpoint

A few notes came in late Sunday night asking about an earlier incident involving police and a possible armed suspect at Hamilton Viewpoint (map). Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith explains that just after 7 pm, officers answered “a call of a female pointing a gun” but upon arrival discovered the woman, in her 30s, was “practicing self-defense with a fake yellow handgun and a rubber knife.” He adds, “After the female explained to officers what she was doing and officers inspected the weapons in question, she was allowed to leave.”

WestSeattleDrew May 11, 2009 (11:53 am)

A woman practicing self-defense… Very Startling!

WSB May 11, 2009 (12:13 pm)

Those who e-mailed us were more startled by the police action.

Mustafa May 11, 2009 (12:40 pm)

Ooh, WSB did the po-po’s draw their guns or taze her? You know you can’t take any chances these days. She might throw her plastic yellow toy or bounce the rubber knife at their feet. Maybe she should have been arrested for stupidity.

WSB May 11, 2009 (2:17 pm)

One report we got said guns were drawn; our police contact could not 100% confirm it but said that would not have been surprising when someone is reported to have had a gun – TR

datamuse May 11, 2009 (2:52 pm)

Y’know, one reason that fake weapons for self-defense practice are often made in bright colors (such as yellow or orange) is to prevent this kind of thing…