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Update: Woman stabbed in High Point, man arrested

April 23, 2010 3:46 pm
|      88 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli, substituted at 6:54 pm for our original cameraphone pic)
ORIGINAL 3:46 PM REPORT: On our way to the “assault with weapons” call at Graham/Lanham. Just got a call from someone who says one person’s been stabbed – we are working to confirm. 3:53 PM UPDATE: We’ve just arrived at the scene. Still lots of police. Christopher Boffoli is here too and tells us that the victim has been taken to Harborview (which has also just been mentioned on the scanner). SW Graham is closed off less than a block east of 35th SW because of the police action. 4:05 PM: TV helicopter over the scene (in case you heard helicopter noise elsewhere and wondered). Make that two TV helicopters. 4:14 PM UPDATE: According to Officer Renee Witt in the SPD media unit, police got a call around 3:30 that a woman had been stabbed, apparently in the 6000 block of Lanham – she was found outdoors. A male suspect was seen running away, wearing a “yellow inside-out hoodie.” Officer Witt says a few people apparently followed the man to Lanham/Graham and he went into a house here; they’re trying to get him to come out. At the scene, you can see police taking people into and out of at least two squad cars, questioning them. 4:24 PM UPDATE: Two witnesses say they believe police HAVE arrested the man, so we’re still trying to get official confirmation on that. They did not have information on the victim’s condition so we’re checking with SFD regarding whether the injuries were believed to be life-threatening or not. 4:41 PM UPDATE: Suspect is indeed in custody; police also tell us the weapon was a “short-bladed knife.” SW Graham is now open again, though the police are still on Lanham north of Graham. They say they’ll be wrapping up soon, after a few more scene photos. 7:38 PM UPDATE: Police have now posted a report on SPD Blotter. It says the 40-year-old victim – who was walking with her 9-year-old daughter at the time of the attack – and 22-year-old suspect are NOT believed to have known each other. Her injuries are described as life-threatening; her child was not hurt. The suspect is jailed for investigation of assault. We have cross-referenced the name on the jail register that we believe is that of the suspect; no previous record aside from a traffic violation.

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88 Replies to "Update: Woman stabbed in High Point, man arrested"

  • Christine Leahy April 23, 2010 (4:06 pm)

    We’re off of Morgan and 35th and there are now 2 news helicopters buzzing overhead.

  • rockergirl5678 April 23, 2010 (4:10 pm)

    Why the chopper? Are they looking for a suspect?

  • Lgl April 23, 2010 (4:14 pm)

    3 helicopters

    • WSB April 23, 2010 (4:16 pm)

      Sorry, I am in the car and the guys are down the street at the scene – been typing and making phone calls and lost chopper count. That’s all the TV news choppers we have in Seattle so it shouldn’t escalate from there unless Guardian One comes over …

  • shane April 23, 2010 (4:15 pm)

    I see three copters now

  • Chris April 23, 2010 (4:15 pm)

    Any description of the perp? I bet he/she was white.

    • WSB April 23, 2010 (4:17 pm)

      No race so far. “Yellow inside-out hoodie” and “male” thus far.

  • Skeeter April 23, 2010 (4:17 pm)

    Chris, are you joking or serious?

  • Ryan B. April 23, 2010 (4:20 pm)

    I love that every time I hear a helicopter, I can jump on here and see what’s going on. It’s especially great after just getting back from The Edward R. Murrow Symposium, where we talked transformational media and integrity in media. West Seattle Blog is tops on my list.

  • Chris April 23, 2010 (4:25 pm)

    Serious about wanting a description of the perp, joking about them being white.

  • ca April 23, 2010 (4:26 pm)

    WSB your awesome news had nothing on yet about this, looked you up and explained the copters…there was three news choppers, only see two now, and maybe the third people were seeing was Harborview chopper…I saw it leaving. Hope the get the suspect.

  • Christine April 23, 2010 (4:34 pm)

    I heard someone argue down the street just a couple of minutes before the stabbing. So, I am gunning for domestic violence at this point, which makes me always feel safer than having random crimes in my neighborhood. And, yes thanks WSB. I heard sirenes, checked seattle911 than WSB and being informed helped not to panic about all this police activity right in my street.

  • Tamea April 23, 2010 (4:36 pm)

    This is the best bunch of Bloggers I have ever seen! You guys ROCK! I always know that my inquiring mind will find it’s answers on the WSB! Thanks for keeping us Westseattlites informed. You guys get the gold star baby!

    • WSB April 23, 2010 (6:41 pm)

      FYI all – there is no information from police at this point as to the relationship, if any, between suspect and victim. Police have not written up a news release with any more details. What one of our people at the scene heard from the witness does NOT indicate the kind of relationship some are inferring, but I would rather wait to hear from authorities (with whom we’ll be checking again tonight) than speculate, unless someone pops up here claiming to have direct firsthand knowledge – TR

  • Jennifer Cobb April 23, 2010 (4:48 pm)

    Thanks for the excellent coverage WSB, especially since I’m at work and away from the neighborhood. So glad they caught the man. Great work from the residents who were on the scene.

  • d April 23, 2010 (4:59 pm)

    Yes Thank you I am at work and my family being at home I am so glad that i don’t need to worrie so agan thank you for all the min to min updates!

  • Mary Sheely April 23, 2010 (5:18 pm)

    Seriously, Chris — Is that really called for?

  • David April 23, 2010 (5:40 pm)

    The perp is a black man in his early to mid 20s, I saw him arrested at his house. Wasn’t clear if he was also Somali like the victim.

  • JennLynnC April 23, 2010 (5:41 pm)

    Wow, I live on 34th in between Graham and Morgan and I didn’t notice anything.
    But, I was running a hair dryer maybe that’s why I missed it.

  • Rebecca April 23, 2010 (5:47 pm)

    Jokes about the race of the perp are unnecessary and veiled racism. Domestic violence is an equal opportunity crime, folks.

  • Baba April 23, 2010 (7:53 pm)

    Oh, that High Point is/ was always trouble. It doesn’t matter how much money the gov. puts in it. Sad to see my taxes going to waste.

  • Jennifer Cobb April 23, 2010 (8:05 pm)

    Baba, have you actually visited High Point? We’ve had just about the lowest incidence of crime in all of West Seattle since the neighborhood was redeveloped. High Point is a vibrant and caring community and I’m proud to live here. There’s no doubt this is a disturbing event today but it’s one bad incident/one bad guy and it could happen anywhere.

  • Beth April 23, 2010 (8:14 pm)

    WSB is always a good source for info in thier part of town. I enjoy following you on FB and coming here to make the occasional comment.

    Baba….I spent part of my childhood in High Point and I take acception to you calling it a waste of taxes and “always trouble”.
    This is akin to labeling people who live in mobile home parks as “trailer trash”
    Now bug off!

  • HP Resident April 23, 2010 (8:29 pm)

    Good point Jennifer. Crime is everywhere, but the history of Highpoint automatically garners a “see, I told you so” response more times than not. Oh well.

    I am pretty interested and concerned with hearing the rest of the story. While the police report says that they didn’t appear to know each other, I just can’t imagine that there wasn’t something leading up to this.

    Whatever the outcome, I’ll be praying for the recovery of the victim as well as her daughter who had to stand by and witness something so horrific.

    WSB – thank you for your unbiased reporting of the whole incident. All the other news agencies add an element of speculation and I really appreciate that you don’t. Kudos.

    • WSB April 23, 2010 (9:43 pm)

      HP resident – thanks; we try to stick to “here’s what we are seeing, here’s what we are hearing from authorities” basics – having spent many years in TV, I have a lot to atone for! Re: The rest of the story – Though we are not publishing the name on the jail register that we have matched to the incident because he is not yet charged, we will follow the case and will check with the prosecuting attorney’s office on Monday – By then, they will likely have at least the “superform,” which includes a more detailed version of what police have learned, prior to a decision on whether the suspect will be formally charged, and we’ll publish details from that when we get it … TR

  • Philip April 23, 2010 (8:31 pm)

    Baba – I am absolutely insulted by comment! As a member of the HIgh Point community, I am thrilled that I had the ability to purchase a home in this vibrant and caring community. I safely walk my dog at night on any given street within the community and feel safer here than when I lived anywhere else. Do not speak of what you do not know.

  • Baba April 23, 2010 (8:52 pm)

    Jennifer Cobb, I had a misfortune to be inside one of those ” redeveloped” low income housing units there. Oh Boy, I know people who struggle to make their mortgage payments for places that look 100 times worse then that. Plus, every time I drive by that U Haul-Walgreens corner. Something is ALWAYS GOING ON THERE!!! No wonder the outcome …!!!

  • Wbn April 23, 2010 (9:00 pm)

    I feel for the woman and her family. Especially her daughter who probably saw the attack. My hope is the family has lots of support. ugh I know people who live their with a 9 yr old daughter, I am worried for them and the community

  • JanS April 23, 2010 (11:04 pm)

    Baba…are you saying that if you have the misfortune to qualify for a subsidized living arrangement, you can only be given a dump? That the place that you’re “allowed”, that you deserve can’t be decent, but only squalor? Your prejudice is showing. I drive by 35th and Graham, 34th and Graham, other places in the new development, and it’s just like any other neighborhood. And…what’s going on in the U-haul / Walgreens area is called life. I’m in the Admiral District near WS highschool…boy, now there’s something going on…always. Yet…I don’t consider either area dangerous.

    Yes, your prejudice is showing.

  • Baba April 23, 2010 (11:31 pm)

    janS, Prejudice – nowadays is the most convenient argument. After being called THAT, there is nothing really I can say in my defense…Sorry, sorry, baaah, baaah…

  • WS Mom April 23, 2010 (11:34 pm)

    My thoughts go out to the mother and her daughter. I know my child would be devastated to witness that kind of random violence.

  • Another HP Resident April 24, 2010 (12:05 am)

    Baba, your ignorance and offensive language is what makes bad stereotypes continue. How can you judge a community as a bad place, when we are trying to make it a better place for all and a tragedy occurs? I find you insulting, rude, and I will pray that your mind will be opened one day.

  • Baba April 24, 2010 (12:33 am)

    bad Sterotypes??? I only state the things that I saw. My opinion is as good as yours here.

  • East Coast Cynic April 24, 2010 (12:49 am)

    The only happenings I see around the U-Haul and Walgreens area are people waiting for the bus and the green lights. What goes on there that we should be worried about?

  • JimJ April 24, 2010 (2:59 am)

    What goes on at the corner is a number of African Americans congregate. What the poster is referring to is thinly veiled racism.

  • Tony April 24, 2010 (6:47 am)

    We should worry about the food bank.? At the intersection in question…that’s it. Darn hungry people causin’ a ruckus..Is that EVEN HP?…

  • homesweethome April 24, 2010 (6:52 am)

    Perhaps we should focus on the issue – a small child saw their mother stabbed today – and let’s hope there are other family members and friends ready and able to assist this child through the night and tough days ahead and as a community we should hope for the speedy recovery of the mother so she can be reunited with her child. Focus people.

  • Babs April 24, 2010 (8:09 am)

    I totally agree with homesweethome, we need to focus, accept, and stop this hatin. Bad seeds reside in every neighborhood, and across every income level. I hope this Mom makes it and together with her child they can overcome this heinous crime.

  • WSB April 24, 2010 (9:09 am)

    I need to step in and remind everyone that racism is NOT acceptable in comments here. It’s one thing if a suspect is being sought and skin color is part of the description. Otherwise, race/ethnicity is entirely irrelevant until and unless it turns out to have had something to do with the crime, and at this point there is no indication of that. – TR

  • Lynn April 24, 2010 (9:18 am)

    I agree with homesweethome. Are there any updates on the condition of the mother? Can we in the neighborhood pull something together such as flowers or cards to the hospital, a care package, notes of support to the child? Something?

  • Michelle April 24, 2010 (9:20 am)

    Thank you WSB for always keeping us up-to-date. Will you be able to keep us updated on this woman’s condition (as privacy laws permit, of course)? I think many of us are very concerned and hope that she makes it.

    • WSB April 24, 2010 (9:28 am)

      It’s likely that unless someone close to the family finds this thread (which often happens in breaking news we cover, but not always) we will not know much beyond, she’s alive, or not … and Monday may be the next time we get official information from police; they would only know whether she survived because if she did not, the charge against the suspect would change … If you live in High Point, I would hope that perhaps the HP Neighborhood Association might be able to find something out, again, depending on what the family wanted to disclose – I know president Jennifer Cobb was in this comment thread earlier – they also are on Facebook and have a website at http://www.highpointneighborhood.org – also there was a statement issued by SHA HP management after the last notable crime incident in HP a few weeks ago – And any residents who hear anything about ways to express support, please let us know too so we can share the info, because certainly people will be hoping/praying for her recovery beyond HP – TR

  • Eric Goetz April 24, 2010 (9:26 am)

    Thanks for the timely reporting. We are very fortunate to have the best neighborhood blog in the city.

    My best wishes for a speedy recovery for the mother, and that the child has the resources they need to cope with this awful event. Please let us know, if there’s anything we can do to help.

    As a longtime neighbor of highpoint, I’m pretty shocked at the level of prejudice and flat out racism being displayed here. Highpoint has one of the lowest crime rates in the city and is a shining example of a racially/class diverse neighborhood. Up until the last year, I have always felt safe walking around this neighborhood, even after dark.

    I’ll admit there has been a noticeable change since the recession. I’m not sure what the solution is, but condemning/dismissing a whole neighborhood or class of the population as a “waste of money” or “trash” only makes the problem worse.

  • toddinwestwood April 24, 2010 (9:29 am)

    Everyone’s opinion should be valid here. Everyone has different experiences with High Point.

    The biggest thing to remember here is, to not ignore any problems in the name of being pc.

    Also not blindly blaming problems on the people who are living there.

    Make your own opinions people.

  • A April 24, 2010 (9:32 am)

    Is there a place neighbors can give to the family affected by this crime? Meals, flowers, money, running errands, support, etc…

  • 4th_gen_alkibeachgirl April 24, 2010 (9:46 am)

    I work at West Seattle Elementary School (formerly High Point) which is very close to where the stabbing took place. Since school gets out close to 3:30, I’d bet that the woman and her child were walking home from school. To think that I may know this child and her mother, chills me to the bone. I also know some other folks who grew up in WS that are “homeowners” in the development, and love it there. Yes, High Point has always had a lot of crime, and I’m sure it still does, but there is crime now everywhere. The Admiral area, and Alki for example, are high crime these days. The majority of the people living in the “development” are (I believe) Somali refugees and their families, just happy to be alive and have a place to call home. I see these families on a daily basis at school, and they deserve a happy life just like everyone else. I only hope the woman recovers, and that her daughter will get some counseling so that she may learn to deal with the horror of the experience. I also hope they prosecute the offender to the full extent of the law. He needs to go to prison for a very long time…

  • 4th_gen_alkibeachgirl April 24, 2010 (9:48 am)

    After posting my comment, I see there are people looking to help the family. I will check at school on Monday and see if the child goes to WSE and if so, see what our Family Support Worker can do.

  • Jennifer Cobb April 24, 2010 (10:58 am)

    We don’t have any official information yet about the incident; only what we’ve read on your blog and the Seattle Times. Everyone is obviously is very concerned for the woman who was attacked and for her daughter who witnessed it.

    No one can dispute that this is a serious incident. But it can happen anywhere—any city in any neighborhood; unfortunately, it happened at High Point. We don’t know the details, the motives, the backgrounds so all we can do right now is speculate and make assumptions, which doesn’t typically do anything but create further division.

    You can read any crime stats or attend any SPD meetings to hear that High Point has the lowest crime incidents in West Seattle. It’s obvious that several people here are operating under old assumptions about High Point. And, to reference an earlier post, we’re also not ignoring any problems here just in the name of being pc.

    What can we do right now to pull together and make sure that High Point remains a safe and healthy community? What positive steps can people take in times of crisis to make things stronger and safer going forward? Sadly, some people will check out and allow this incident to validate their biases. My hope as a proud High Point homeowner resident and President of the Neighborhood Association is that people will come together and think about ways they can get involved and make a positive difference in the community.

  • HPJennie April 24, 2010 (11:52 am)

    Thank you Jennifer for being such a great representative and positive voice in our community! We’ll be thinking of ways we can help.

  • 2close2hp April 24, 2010 (12:39 pm)

    I’m very curious if the perp is a part of that gang wearing all red? They hang out at that mini mart on the corner of 35th and morgan nearly every day. Maybe I’ve been watching too much gang land on history channel but considering a witness heard the perp say “just doing my job” sounds a lot lot like a gang initiation activity to me. I thought I saw an article that the police were going to step up their fight against the gang activity there.

    To the legal guardians of the kids at the mini mart. Please do the responsible thing, know where your kids are, know their association, and please bring them home!
    Purly speculation on my part for the gang stuff and my heart goes out to the victim!

  • Mick April 24, 2010 (1:39 pm)

    That mini mart is part of the problem. Wish they’d close that hole down and re-develop something there.

  • Megan April 24, 2010 (2:32 pm)

    I am a High Point resident and I am deeply concerned about the recent crimes in our neighborhood. Two serious events have taken place in High Point during the month of April. The stabbing which occurred yesterday and on April 7th a woman was kidnapped and brought to the suspect’s residence in High Point. In the kidnapping case, the suspect had been involved in 14 events since 2007 including assault, theft, and hit-and-run(the WSB also did a great job reporting about this cime if you want further info). I sincerely hope these events are not a sign that crime is on the rise in High Point. Be viligant- keep our neighborhood a safe place to live!

  • Skeeter April 24, 2010 (2:43 pm)

    I have lived in HP for three years. (29th and Raymond) The crime rate is very low. No broken glass on the street. Very, very isolated incidents of violence. People walk safely at all hours of the day and night. There is a patrol from about 5pm to dawn that only has to look over a couple dozen blocks.

    This recent event has me scared. If the perp and victim really didn’t know each other it is a tremendously scary thing for anyone who walks in that area.

    The mini mart is a big problem. There are often really seedy looking folks loitering there. I’m pretty sure I witnessed a drug deal there recently. (I have no proof so I couldn’t really call the cops.) It looks like trash and it has gasoline pumps even though they haven’t been turned on for years. I’d love for the WSB to interview the owner and ask for his/her longterm plans with the property. It would be a huge service to the community if the WSB would do this.

    • WSB April 24, 2010 (3:09 pm)

      One thing that it’s important for you guys who live there (or anywhere in our area) to know is – do you know about Community Police Team members?
      These are officers whose job is specifically to deal with chronic neighborhood problems – NOT routine patrol. There is one addressed to west West Seattle, one to east West Seattle including HP – Officer Kevin McDaniel. He has spoken about the mini-mart at past West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meetings. I found this link from last November:
      https://westseattleblog.com/2009/11/west-seattle-crime-watch-stolen-van-and-newest-stats
      His number (and other CPT officers) is on the Southwest Precinct CPT page.
      http://www.cityofseattle.net/police/precincts/southwest/CPT.htm
      .
      (There are actually more CPT members but one is currently deployed to the Middle East and the other has been on a short stint with the burglary detectives of the precinct, not sure if he’s back with CPT yet.)

  • P Hirz April 24, 2010 (4:32 pm)

    Just like any other situation, the facts should come out before we make too many presumptive judgements. From my view, High Point is a vibrant, growing, safe neighborhood full of diversity and spirit. Just like any neighborhood, it is not perfect, yet it is great place to live. Living anywhere in Seattle, one should always be aware of their surroundings and be dilligent in protecting the “integrity and liveability” of their neighborhood. Community involvement with the cooperation of the police is the best way to keep neighborhoods as safe as possible. We should not lose sight of that when a tragedy like this occurs. I applaud the caring community spitrit in High Point I have witnessed firsthand.

  • cakeitseasy April 24, 2010 (6:12 pm)

    “And…what’s going on in the U-haul / Walgreens area is called life.”

    Yeah,if by that you that you mean gangs,drug deals,alcohol,loitering and littering. I think there is a lot of affected outrage against presumed racism when there are complaints about such people, often teens with gang connections looking for trouble and attracting trouble and/or drug dealers and their ilk. That they happen to be of a certain race is not the point…nor is it surprising given the demographics of the area. The mini-mart itself is like any other, in that it sells cheap booze, smokes, lottery tickets and junk food. Which just happens to be popular with certain said groups. Most mini-marts attract loiterers.

    It’s really nice that there was a utopian vision for the new High Point, and even better that many residents love living there, but the area is unbalanced. Along with the law abiding residents and stable families,there is a high concentration of so called “at risk youth” and other people with, shall we say, social challenges, and the company they might keep…not necessarily in the new housing, but the adjacent existing housing such as the apartment tower and the units just south of the food bank on 35th and a transportation intersection with buses that go to other similar areas.

  • Baba April 24, 2010 (7:47 pm)

    @ cakeitseasy, Thank you for backing up my observations. And to all people that chose to buy a house in the “new and improved ” HP. Negative perceptions, in general, don’t just change overnight. What you want to believe and what is – usually doesn’t match. HP ,for years to come, still will be associated, and repeatedly proven to be, with trouble. Whether you like it or not. And we can argue for weeks about it.

  • Kristina April 24, 2010 (9:04 pm)

    Is there an update about the health of the mother? And the daughter – oh, how I could just weep to think of a child witnessing such a thing! My daughter goes to school with several lovely Somali children and I just ache, ache, ache to think of one of their families going through this.

    I go to the High Point Library – love the staff there – even though I don’t live in High Point. Many Somali kids hang out there, looking things up on the computers, doing their homework, reading and such. The kids I’ve seen strike me as the kind that any community should welcome with open arms.

    The not-so-thinly-veiled racism in several of the responses here make me ill.

    Is there any way to help the family?

  • Michelle April 24, 2010 (11:14 pm)

    I agree with Kristina: the blatant racism and SWEEPING generalizations about our neighborhood repeatedly posted here makes me ill, too. And here I thought West Seattle residents were progressive in their thinking…In addition to helping the victims of this horrible tragedy, we have to work against nay-sayers to prove West Seattle is a good place to live!

  • Baba April 24, 2010 (11:35 pm)

    I guess West Seattle is not as flamboyant as some portray it to be. Hmm, Bummer…

  • Andy Brzozowicz April 25, 2010 (8:45 am)

    As I High Point Resident and Homeowner, I speak only for myself. in the past few years there have been incidents that have been caused by both visitors and residence in High Point. If a visitor to High Point is found to have committed a crime and a resident of the SHA units harbors and helps these individuals, I believe the consequences should be swift and severe. If the inividual is under 18 and is a resident of high the entire family losses their status in High and get evicted. The message must be clear, you cause harm to this community then you leave. People need to take responsibility for their actions and those of their family memebers.

  • HeyJoe April 25, 2010 (8:47 am)

    High Point is a nice community, light years ahead of what used to be there, but I’d really like to think that people would be a bit more open minded about the criticism of the mini mart and what goes on around there. It’s not necessarily racism, if memory serves WSB itself has done several pieces on that place.

  • toddinwestwood April 25, 2010 (9:28 am)

    Sooo, I guess even noticing large groups of young men walking around all wearing red bandanas, t-shirts, and hats is being racist?

    this damn city has become so p.c. that it has now come to even thinking there might be a problem in a certain neighborhood makes people uncomfortable.

  • sarelly April 25, 2010 (12:58 pm)

    With more parks, community spaces, and public promenades connecting neighborhoods in a city you are usually safer. It’s being alone in public that can make you a target. Where I come from, you never go anywhere without wearing boots you can kick someone with if you need to defend yourself, and you dress down so you don’t look like you have money – you never show off what you have. You dress for action, stay aware of your environment, and you never, ever ever turn your back on your belongings, leave your house or car unlocked, or (God forbid) let your children go out unguarded for even a second. Travel in packs and you’re less likely to get hurt. Make messing with you more trouble than it’s worth to any predator, cuz they are going to do a cost-benefit analysis before choosing you as their victim. Don’t be nice to weirdos. Vary your routine in case someone is stalking you. Try not to be in the same place at the same time every day. Make sure it always sounds like people are home at your house even when you’re out. Even that won’t always protect you, but I notice people around here are very lax about those things. You don’t have to be paranoid – just be prepared and alert.

    • WSB April 25, 2010 (1:06 pm)

      A note for those still checking this comment thread. Our system holds comments for review based on various factors including whether your IP has ever had a comment approved here before, and so there were a few in the queue that we have NOT approved because they included speculation about either the victim’s condition or the motive (without any claim of being firsthand information – just “I heard that …”). I checked with police this morning – the last info they had, she was in stable condition. However, that doesn’t make it up-to-the-minute info – however, it’s the best available now, and up-to-the-minute may not be available any sooner than tomorrow. Same goes for motive – even if charges are not filed immediately, paperwork from the bail hearing is likely to be available early in the day, and I will be seeking to obtain it from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office – that paperwork often includes the “probable cause” which will shine more light on what police have learned from witnesses etc. The County Jail Register does show that the suspect’s bail is now set at $1,000,000 – TR

  • guinivere April 25, 2010 (1:31 pm)

    My best to the whole family involved in the tragedy. Please let us now how the Mom is doing, WSB! Thank you! You do a lovely job supporting West Seattle.

    With risk of stirring up Baba, I have LOVED living in High Point. I moved here from Capitol Hill three years ago. The recent issues have all been part of the package, but also could have happened any where in Seattle. Many of us who live here, homeowners and renters alike, have vision for this community and are continuing with a “get ‘er done” attitude.

    I don’t want to instigate you, Baba, but, dude, you are a sad troglodyte. Nothing happens in a day it is true, but we are pretty proud of the work we have done. We also are proud of our ability to be forward thinkers. Thank you, Jennifer Cobb.

    I am having a feeling that somebody is getting off on being a contrarian… I am signing off as a firm High Point supporter. Over and Out.

  • Chris April 25, 2010 (2:42 pm)

    @toddinwestwood – I totally agree with you. Way too much sensitivity and pc’ness going on.

    I drive through High Point every day and would never let my wife/sister/friends walk alone through there.

    @East Coast Cynic – If you’ve noticed nothing around Walgreens/U-Haul/35th & Morgan then you are blind. Even the police know this area to be a high drug/prostitution area. I know this because they told us so during our Neighborhood Watch meeting with a police rep and because I drive by that area every day. I’ve had young kids yell at me and call me racist names (even though I’m white) while going through there. Open your eyes and be a part of the solution and not ignorant to what is going on in West Seattle.

  • guinivere April 25, 2010 (3:43 pm)

    OK, so I am back… against my better judgement. It is just TOO much fun! Laundry can be so boring.

    Just curious… Todd, do you ever actually get out of your car to check out High Point? or is it just too scary? if you own or could rent a hummer, i think you would feel perfectly safe checking out our neighborhood at a slower speed … just be careful around our park because you might get hit by a low flying kite, a frisbee or a soccer ball.

  • guinivere April 25, 2010 (3:57 pm)

    Chris, risk it!!

    Go into our local store, buy a pack of gum, see what you see.

    Honestly, really people!!??!

  • Abdi A. April 25, 2010 (4:41 pm)

    Upodate:

    The woman(victim)is in serious but stable condition, and still in hospital recovering, accoding to a family member. Her daughter is still traumatized and very withdrawn after witnessing all that was happening to her mother.

    Family fled armed conflic and violence in thier native Somalia to seek refugee status here in the Pacific Northwest.

    The victim never met the perpetrator. So this was a random act of violence. This could be anybody, me, you, or anyone else walking down the street.

  • Baba April 25, 2010 (4:43 pm)

    @ guinivere, you should’ve stopped after your first post, now you are just talking trash. What happened to you at that laundromat?

    And Chris, you got it all wrong. Racism only works one way. Not the other way around :)

  • a ws mommy April 25, 2010 (7:32 pm)

    My heart goes out to the victim, her daughter, and their family. Praying for a full recovery and healing for both the victim and her daughter. If there’s any way to help the family during the recovery process please post.

  • frustrated neighbor April 25, 2010 (8:18 pm)

    Been living on 34th and Morgan for 4 years now and I have a great view of the mini mart and the activity that surrounds it and the neighborhood in general.

    First of all, whether you want to admit it or not there is definite gang activity going on in this area and you must be delusional if you think that makes this a “great and vibrant neighborhood”. More than once I’ve taken my dog for a walk and have been cat-called (car actually stopped). Is that supposed to make me feel safe? It doesn’t.

    On any given night there are kids “talking loudly” while walking through the streets after 11pm. Where are these kids’ parents??

    The mini mart is a thug magnet. What do we have to do as a community to get this place cleaned up without risking our lives because the kids that hang out there are aggressive and disrespectful? I thought they were going to crack down on loitering..or did the budget run dry on that?

    I don’t think we can just ignore the activity at the mini mart because the majority (if not all) of the kids hanging out there come from the high point neighborhood and I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a gang initiation of some sort.

    To close, I wish for the victim a very quick recovery and my heart goes out to her and her daughter who will forever be traumatized by this senseless act of violence. Disgusting, disturbing and scary.

  • jsv April 25, 2010 (8:36 pm)

    Abdi, I know you are a great leader in our community. Is there anything we can do as a community to help the family and the victim? Does she have insurance? Does she need help with care? Thanks.

  • ln8r April 25, 2010 (9:04 pm)

    my heart goes out to the victim and family. please post if there is anything we can do. sending prayers.

  • Kasey Mack April 26, 2010 (7:34 am)

    As for the corner of 35th Sw & Morgan…bad corner @ times…as was reported in the WS
    Herald a month or so ago…police were watching the area due to drug sales, etc…police were watching loiterers…also I know teens get people to buy them alcohol there but then that probably happens alot elsewhere. If you notice some of the same people are either @ the bus stop or by the side of the deli there. This is my home West Seattle…been here 50 + years. love WS…this stuff happens everywhere…even in the more “elete” areas…color not the issue! ignorance, poverty, people lacking good judgement and living skills…too bad that cna’t be taught better @ home and in the schools!

    • WSB April 26, 2010 (8:14 am)

      I thought I’d included this link in a comment here but maybe not
      https://westseattleblog.com/2009/11/west-seattle-crime-watch-stolen-van-and-newest-stats
      That’s from last November, when the area’s Community Police Team officer, Kevin McDaniel, talked about working with the store’s owner on similar issues.
      That’s what CPT officers do – as opposed to responding on calls as they happen – if you think there’s ongoing trouble there now, CALL HIM.
      I see way too many comments/forum posts go by where people say, oh, I’m not going to call police, I called them once and they never came/took too long/etc.
      (a) CPT is for ongoing problems (b) You may have called on a night when there were what SPD calls “life-safety issues” elsewhere, taking precedence over a “crowd of people looking like they’re up to no good” call, but the precinct’s Lt. and Capt. reiterated at the last round of meetings we’ve attended, please don’t let that discourage you from calling again.

  • 2close2HP April 26, 2010 (12:49 pm)

    Thank you WSB for that link. I notice it’s from Nov 2009, and I don’t know about underage smoking and drinking, but I can definitely confirm that this is not longer true, “… and neighbors have told police the store/area “is quiet now.””

    Perhaps worst on the weekends rather than week days, there is always a group of young guys (anywhere from 3 to 15 people). I even know where some of them live as I watch them wander to and from their near by apartments. I’ve personally called the police several times and have felt discouraged by the delayed responses. I will no longer let this discourage me as you have made good points. However, as much as I’d like to have a direct line to Kevin McDaniel I didn’t find his contact information in that link? Please let me know how I can reach him.

    I will gladly be his eyes and ears of that place as I see it nightly.

  • g April 26, 2010 (1:39 pm)

    my regards and prayers are with the”supposed” suspect and his family; one

  • frustrated neighbor April 26, 2010 (2:19 pm)

    g – are you kidding?

    • WSB April 26, 2010 (2:31 pm)

      I just got the superform on this with a few additional details. Victim was stabbed 15 times. Separate story to come.

  • HolyKow April 26, 2010 (2:52 pm)

    There is a difference between ‘hangin out’ and ‘loitering’. That ghetto liquor store next to the walgreens is bad news. Ya know, the one with the plastic ‘get your OE and Mickey’s here!’ and ‘Cold Beer Specials’ banners falling off of the facade, dead gas pumps and high quality individuals sitting on that fence with their pants around their thigh and DuRags….and don’t cry racist, this is what is there. They are putting themselves out there and this is just a basic description. Some are white, most are black, but all of them look like they are up to no good regardless of race. To call that a neighborhood grocery is an insult to hard working people who actually have neighborhood grocery stores. We would all be better off if they closed that gang haven and put a park there.

    I actually called 911 when driving by that ghetto liquor store when one of it fine upstanding ‘patrons’ had his Pit Bull off leash and it ran across the street and attacked some guy’s golden lab, locked its jaws on the lab. The ‘patron’ of this establishment came across the street and began kicking his dog in the throat but it had locked its jaws and would not relent. As I went down Morgan, I called 911 as the person seemed to be in peril.

    This is the kind of ‘upstanding individual’ that frequents this establishment.

    Tear it down and put a park there. Heck put a parking lot there. Just some trees. Anything is better than what we have there now.

    HK

  • Abdi A. April 27, 2010 (7:05 pm)

    Response to jsv:

    As you can imagine, the entire community is still in shock and disbelief. Despite this incident, we believe HP is one of the safest, if not THE safest neighborhood in and around Seattle.

    From what I gather from relatives and friends, the Somali community is pulling some resources together so that they could help the victim and her family. They will be assessing the family’s need and let those who want to help to be able to do so.

    The family would also like to thank everyone for their well-wishes, caring thoughts, tremendous support, and sympathy from the entire HP community. This was so unreal to all, and shows how much people care about each other in our neighborhood.

    BTW, victim is doing much better, able to communicate, walk and talk.

  • guinivere April 29, 2010 (9:19 am)

    This has been a terribly shocking event for everyone at High Point. Some people have already said it but lets focus our energy and thoughts on the Somali community as well as Marcus’ family. This is a terrible event for everyone. Including Marcus’ family.

    So, to show solidarity… show up tonight at Neighborhood House to show good will for ALL that have been part of this event. Everyone.

    Neigborhood House, Thursday night (tonight) at 6 pm.) I think it is one of the best ways to say we care.

  • guinivere April 29, 2010 (9:29 am)

    RE: The package store at Morgan and 35th.

    WSB, could we start a different topic for discussion around the package store? People certainly have thoughts about our corner store but these thoughts are irrelevant to our concern for the terrible event that just happened in our community. Thanks.

    Just a thought.

  • Robert Watkins May 12, 2010 (10:17 am)

    I knew the guy who did this. His name is Marcus Colmbs, hes a skinny black kid who I’ve been going to school with my whole life. He is a Schizophrenic and must have been off his med’s or on new med’s that caused a terrible reaction in his head. Ive always known him as a nice happy person who smokes weed and plays video games, he reminded me of a bob marley type. I feel so sorry for the victims, they are in my heart and prayers.

Sorry, comment time is over.