West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
New information tonight about the report of a shooting at Me-Kwa-Mooks early today. Police say the victim’s claim that he was shot was false. Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith has just provided the new details, while first confirming that, as we reported early today, “An officer located a victim of an assault while on routine park check. The male stated he had just been shot in the back of the head. The male was holding his head and visibly bleeding. Officers responded to the priority call and set up containment for the K9 unit. Medics were called to the scene for medical treatment.” From there, however, the story unraveled – Lt. Smith says police found the suspect but after talking with them both, “It appeared both parties may have assaulted each other. Both subjects became uncooperative during the investigation, and neither would identify the other as the person who assaulted them … Injuries treated by Fire Personnel and witness statements led officers to believe the victim may have been hit in the head with a rock or other blunt instrument, and not shot.” The original victim was treated for a “laceration to the back of his head” described as “not serious”; the “suspect/victim,” as police describe the other person, had “minor swelling to his lower lip” and “refused medical treatment.” (Note: We asked Lt. Smith if, as one commenter suggested, this was related to an Alki bar incident a short time earlier – he says it doesn’t appear to be; both parties in this case had been at the park.)
Tomorrow (Monday) is one of the 10 days where most King County-run facilities are closed for an unpaid “furlough” day to help drain the county’s red ink. This page explains what’s open and what’s closed. Bus riders, note that Metro will run a REGULAR schedule. This is the sixth of the 10 furlough days, one of only two to be scheduled for a Monday.
No official verdict yet but most accounts of the mucky water reported late Friday seem to conclude it was an algae bloom. Here’s an aerial view sent by Craig, who explains, “Flew up to Sequim and back (Friday), and saw this scungy yellow stuff all over the place. It was from near Port Townsend down to Alki and beyond. This picture is the Kingston [map] ferry.”
(4/22 photo from Sustainable West Seattle “Bike-A-Palooza” at Camp Long)
When we covered the Sustainable West Seattle “Bike-A-Palooza” meeting in April (story here), speakers included a Cascade Bicycle Club rep who mentioned that the annual Bike Smart Seattle program would include West Seattle events this summer. Postcards for this city-sponsored program have since arrived in West Seattle mailboxes, and now the events are beginning. From the Bike Smart Seattle calendar page, here’s the July list:
Tuesday 7/7, 6:30 pm: Basic Bike Maintenance Clinic, Southwest Community Center
Saturday 7/11, 11:30 am: Sweet Summer Cycle Ride, leaves from Alki Beach Park
Friday 7/17, 11 am: Helmet sale during Hiawatha Fun Festival, Hiawatha Community Center
Sunday 7/19, 10 am: Women’s ride to Olympic Sculpture Park, leaves from Alki Beach Park
Tuesday 7/21, 6:30 pm: Intro to Commuting Clinic, Southwest Community Center
Saturday 7/25, 10 am-2 pm: Helmet sale during Alki Art Fair
Saturday 7/25, 10 am: Around and Around Alki Ride, leaves from Alki Beach Park
Sunday 7/26, 10 am: Kids and Parents Ride Clinic, Southwest Community Center
Sunday 7/26: 12:30 pm: Family Ride to Lincoln Park, leaves from Alki
Browse the calendar to see the August and September events in West Seattle (and events elsewhere for the entire summer, too); you can also become a fan of Bike Smart Seattle via this page on Facebook (and be sure to look us up on FB at facebook.com/westseattleblog).
Two reports to share (which we were about to publish very early this morning when we got sidetracked by the Me-Kwa-Mooks shooting and numerous brush fires): First, one received by phone – a Gatewood resident (40th/Holly; map) says the Ford Expedition stolen from outside her house a month ago — then found a few days later — was broken into early Saturday. Method — smashed window. Stolen — a phone. Now, the second report: A stolen car reported here about two weeks ago has been found. Jen says, “My Canadian friend’s car that was stolen from 37th and Findlay [map] on 6/24 was found (Saturday) just a few blocks away. The ignition is wrecked and the contents are gone, but the car otherwise appears to be fine. Just wanted to follow up with a somewhat happy ending.” We also just heard from the area Block Watch leaders, who forwarded another neighbor’s e-mail including this observation about that: “This is a new twist on local car prowls; the car was broken into, hot wired, driven a few blocks to a place where the internal contents could be pulled out quickly, and the thieves leave the car behind!”
We wanted to join the chorus of reminders in case you’re an Eastside commuter. This wouldn’t affect you till you come home tomorrow, but here’s the heads-up, since WSDOT just issued this reminder:
Beginning tomorrow, commuters will face two weeks of long delays across the I-90 floating bridge as WSDOT begins extensive repair work. Crews will close all westbound mainline lanes of I-90 and funnel traffic into the two express lanes.
The westbound I-90 closures actually start at 4 pm today. Here’s the project page; here’s the WSDOT page for “what’s happening now.” ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Some extra info from WSDOT:
The “Bellevue to Seattle” and “Issaquah to Seattle” travel times on the WSDOT Web page will not display accurately for the next few weeks due to construction to replace aging expansion joints on the I-90 floating bridge.
*www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/traveltimes
*www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/seattle/Traveltimes/commutes/BellevueSeattle90.htm
*www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/seattle/Traveltimes/commutes/IssaquahSeattle.htm
Travel times are created from data collected by electronic vehicle detectors imbedded in the highway. To complete repair work on to the I-90 floating bridge, crews must reconfigure and shift lanes. However, this means vehicles will not be traveling over the directly over the electronic traffic detectors and our computer systems will be unable to generate an accurate travel times.Traffic engineers in the Seattle Traffic Management Center will calculate “Bellevue to Seattle” and “Issaquah to Seattle” travel times manually every 60 – 90 minutes. These travel times will be posted on the “What’s Happening Now” construction Web page: www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009/today
10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska, it’s the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, as always – go here to see the “Ripe ‘n’ Ready” list for today.
Even without Elliott Bay fireworks, the 4th of July view from parts of West Seattle turned out to be splendid anyway. Thanks to Gilbert for sending these photos of the Lake Union fireworks show as seen from Hamilton Viewpoint.
Unfolding on the scanner: Police were flagged down at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park on Beach Drive (map) – the first officer there has found someone with a gunshot wound to the “back of the head” but also described as “conscious and alert.” The suspect, said to be armed with a handgun, is reported to have fled “on foot.” Police are asking if a helicopter is available (apparently it is not). The suspect is described as a mixed-race male running southbound in white T-shirt and jeans. 1:17 AM UPDATE: Just got a call from someone who lives just south of Beach Drive, who says police advised them to stay inside. No word yet on the victim’s condition. 2:18 AM: No further info so far; thanks to those who have added in comments what they’ve seen near the scene. 11:28 AM NOTE: Continuing to pursue additional information – will publish a separate update as soon as it’s available. 11:38 PM UPDATE: Have just published a separate update with new information from police. See it here. Bottom line – the man said he had been shot but turned out not to have been. He and the alleged suspect believed to have “assaulted each other.” Neither seriously hurt.
| 21 COMMENTS