Update: Police say Roxhill Park murder victim apparently beaten

| Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

(Editor’s note: If any new information comes out tonight, we’ll add it to this story)

9:43 AM: Thanks to the tipsters who let us know about a huge police presence at Roxhill Park (map). SPD says via Twitter, “Murder investigation at Roxhill Park, SW Cambridge St and 29 Avenue SW. Homicide, CSI and PIO are on scene. More information to come.” We have just arrived on scene. Obviously there’s no access to the park, so steer clear of the area. 9:48 AM UPDATE: What’s known so far: Someone walking through the park this morning discovered a body and phoned the Fire Department around 7:30 am, and SFD in turn called police, according to SPD’s Det. Mark Jamieson, who tells us the body is that of an adult male who appeared to have suffered “homicidal violence.” The park is closed till further notice. The body has not yet been taken away by the Medical Examiner. Here’s a wider view of the scene:

10:44 AM NOTE: No new information so far. We’re watching SPD Blotter, where police have promised to post any available updates, and will be checking back at the scene in a bit. By our records check, this is the first murder in West Seattle in more than a year and a half, since the Fauntleroy/Dawson case.
3:47 PM UPDATE: Police have finally issued a statement on SPD Blotter – the only additional information is the apparent cause of death:

On September 22nd around 7:30 a.m. officers responded with Seattle Fire Department personnel to a report of a body lying next to a gravel path inside Roxhill Park, located in the 9200 Block of 29th Avenue Southwest. Officers and firefighters arrived and discovered a deceased adult male. It appears that the male may have been beaten. Homicide and CSI detectives responded to the scene and began their investigation. Anyone with information on this crime is urged to contact the Seattle Police Homicide Unit at (206) 684-5550.

Several citywide media organizations are quoting family members as identifying the victim as a 40-year-old man. We are not publishing an ID until and unless it’s released by authorities.

TLAs September 22, 2010 (10:25 am)

Egregious use of acronyms is just unprofessional for how journalistic you like to act – I don’t care if its a blog.
“PIO are on scene”
“park is closed TFN”

This isn’t Twitter, your wordpress has no charachter limit, and it renders your post unreadable to anyone but yourself.

WSB September 22, 2010 (10:28 am)

PIO on scene is a direct quote from police, via Twitter, which is why it’s held in quote marks. You can check the link for yourself. The only thing we fix in direct quotes from a website, printed document, or Twitter, is obvious misspelling. As for TFN, sorry about that, it’s been a common-usage term most of my life but I will happily change to till further notice now that developments have slowed down. – TR

Krystal September 22, 2010 (10:30 am)

Thanks for the updates, TR!

cmc September 22, 2010 (10:33 am)

Wow, TLAs……then don’t read this blog if you don’t like it. No need to insult.

alywest September 22, 2010 (10:41 am)

TLA….should they also spell out SPD and CSI for you!
This is very scary. I live just blocks from this park and it’s becoming a very unsafe place to walk through. I recall a couple of beatings not to long ago.

bsmomma September 22, 2010 (10:44 am)

I can read the story just fine. And seriously……out of that WHOLE story, you decide it’s appropriate to to slam WSB for there “Egregious use of acronyms”?! WTH
Thank You WSB! Great coverage! Wish there wasn’t a murder to report about but non the less, I appreciate the coverage…….”Egregious use of acronyms” and all. :)

kristina noir September 22, 2010 (10:44 am)

There is no second H in character.
Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Dave September 22, 2010 (11:00 am)

Yeah, TLAs, you tell TR over WSB how to do her job!
Darn journalists always having to act all elitist & stuff, using acronyms that make us have to think…
DB.

Dana September 22, 2010 (11:01 am)

OMG! WTF, TLAs! IDK, try not being such an a-hole.

catlady September 22, 2010 (11:02 am)

@ kristina – my same thoughts exactly!
@ TLAs – I think you should probably move on to a different blog. We are very protective of our WSB community.

george September 22, 2010 (11:04 am)

” He was The park is closed till further notice. The body has not yet been taken away by the Medical Examiner.”
I’m surprised the sentence police haven’t arrived yet!

here September 22, 2010 (11:06 am)

A little perspective please, someone was murdered here. Who cares about spelling…

Diane September 22, 2010 (11:07 am)

acronyms aside (drive me crazy too) another human being killed in our neighborhood; this is sad; I was riding bus downtown last night and very loud male was pontificating about his knowledge of murder/crime rates in various cities, according to him, Boston is worst, and Seattle is safest; he said that Seattle had 7 weeks with no murders and declared how great that is; 1st, is that true? seems we have at least 1 murder daily; 2nd, is that the standard for best city?
~
re calling fire dept; how did they call fire dept first; we’ve had 3 false fire alarms in our apt bldg in past 10 days; the one last week, after we evacuated & stood outside for 1/2 hr, with fire alarm blaring but no show from fire dept, I called 911, started to explain, the operator stopped me and said she had to transfer me to fire dept, where I explained again, and they showed up in 10 mins (this was btw during last 3 mins of WNBA Finals where Seattle Storm won the crown, so instead of watching live, I had to hit “record” and go outside for nearly an hour); my question, is there a faster way to call fire dept than tying up 911 line & being transferred? Is there a direct fire dept # to report that this is NOT a fire, and we need our fire alarm turned off asap?

Krystal September 22, 2010 (11:08 am)

Does anyone find the “homicidal violence” quote funny? OMG, LOL!

RD September 22, 2010 (11:08 am)

I think the significance of a homicide in our neighborhood park trumps grammatical scrutiny. This is sad and scary news, thanks for reporting.

toddinwestwood September 22, 2010 (11:11 am)

Anyone want my house? FREE. We want out of this neighborhood asap. (as soon as possible)

KBear September 22, 2010 (11:11 am)

By the way, TLAs, those are abbreviations, not acronyms. If you don’t know the difference, look it up.

bridge to somewhere September 22, 2010 (11:12 am)

This is terrible news. I am so incredibly mad and frustrated though: I keep complaining about crime at Roxhill Park, even writing a letter to the SW Precinct command. And I have called 911 on numerous occassions for fighting at the park and huge gangs of thugs drinking there at 2am. But still, the police are seldom there, nor seldom respond quickly to my 911 calls. Now this. I respect SPD officers, but come on, WHERE IS THE POLICE PRESCENCE? Where is the strategy? Where is the ‘protect the peace?’

Gretchen September 22, 2010 (11:13 am)

My son & I were there yesterday afternoon. He loves that park, even if his Mommy can’t explain why she doesn’t. There were kids there on a fieldtrip from Roxhill. I feel for them. Today their world is violent & sad, & the park that they play & study at is where people die. Our community suffers, & I don’t mean the cyberspace community. Ug.

meinws September 22, 2010 (11:20 am)

Awful. My emotional response is to move as we are less than a block away. My logical response is that this can happen anywhere. My heart breaks for the family of the man, as well as for the families that will likely no longer enjoy this ‘recreation’ area. Awful.

Sherry September 22, 2010 (11:23 am)

And don’t you just get tired of hearing when we report suspious activity “There is nothing we can do about it”

Krystal September 22, 2010 (11:26 am)

Well said meinws! If they increase police presence here, it will have to be limited somewhere else, and so on. This can happen anywhere, the best thing to do is be logical and do what you can to keep your neighborhood a great place to live.

Jiggers September 22, 2010 (11:27 am)

You can always here parties going on in that park very late at night. I’m sure there’s also a lo of illegal activity too. There’s too much brush that isn’t cut down on the trails, and almost no safety light anywhere in the park. It has very easy access from both ends from Roxbury.

Jiggers September 22, 2010 (11:28 am)

Also, spraying raid on cockaroaches don’t work anymore Seattle police,

GrammarPolice September 22, 2010 (11:30 am)

TLAs – don’t worry. I got this. You just concern yourself with other ways to assert your tactlessness.

I’m saying this as a huge grammar/spelling/punctuation junkie – inappropriate time and place.

Thanks for the great reporting as always, TR. So sorry to hear about this.

Jeff September 22, 2010 (11:34 am)

The post is about a murder, and very important to those of us who live in West Seattle. Nitpicking about acronyms is just absurd, juvenile and petty.

I always turn to WSB when there’s a major crime in the area because I know they’ll generally first on the scene and provide responsible and accurate details and updates. I don’t really care about the acronyms.

Isaac September 22, 2010 (12:19 pm)

Got friends who live across the street from Roxhill.
Keepin’ the family of the victim and those investigating this crime in my prayers. Hope they apprehend the person who did this soon.

Amanda September 22, 2010 (12:38 pm)

We go to this park at least twice a week as it’s within two blocks of my house. I was riding my bike from the Cambridge entrance into the park at 9:00am when I came across this scene. A detective was talking to a man sitting near the bathrooms.

As I rode across the sidewalk towards the playground (obviously realizing something went down) I road towards the north entrance of the park and asked the cop blocking the road if someone died. She said yes, and it was a crime scene. I asked if it was a woman, because I’ve noticed a homeless woman who hangs out at the park, and she said that it was not. I’m not a religious person, but I said a prayer for that man. Such a sad scene.

And yes, I go there all the time with my kid, but murders happen everywhere. No place is truly safe. I love this neighborhood and love Roxhill Park.

sue September 22, 2010 (12:39 pm)

diane –

call 911 for emergencies. period.

911 calls are handled by police dispatchers, who, when it is a fire or medical emergency, transfer to fire dispatchers.

just the way it works here in seattle

madashell September 22, 2010 (12:44 pm)

With the late-night drinking, gang-banging and random shooting there (remember a few years back), it was only a matter of time. I hope the misguided youth and young adults open their eyes and get the hell outa bad company!

coffee September 22, 2010 (1:03 pm)

A few things to take into consideration. Police cost the city money. The city is out of money. The latest news is the continued cutting of employees. Recently I believe I recall hearing that the Sheriff Department was going to have to cut several head count. I know we all hate our taxes going up, but if we want/need more patrol activity, its going to cost.
I also recently overheard a comment that there is a small amount of overnight police on patrol in West Seattle. I want to say it was something like 6 units. Tracy, is that true?
Lastly, I used to train 9-1-1 dispatchers. Always call 9-1-1 first, they know exactly what to do with your call, and they know exactly who to send out to the scene. A 9-1-1 operator goes through 4 to 6 months of training.

Shane September 22, 2010 (1:11 pm)

My Criminal Justice professor was commenting this morning that she doesn’t know of a single agency locally that plans on adding officers in the next 2 years and that many are not going to fill retirement attrition.

Changingtimes September 22, 2010 (1:14 pm)

Cousins of the victim said the man, who went by the name Beanie, had no enemies that they knew of.

Family members said the victim left his aunt’s house at about 10 p.m. Tuesday night, saying he was going for a walk and would return, but he never came back.

The man’s cousins said Beanie was single and had no children. They described him as a “troubled soul” who had some mental problems, but was not a threat to anyone

That was from Kiro 7

LOP September 22, 2010 (1:21 pm)

What about Roxhill school? Are they in lock down?

george September 22, 2010 (1:22 pm)

Well here’s an interesting point of view about how to add more officers; How about a pay freeze? I was surprised to see the overtime pay some officers were making.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2012959858_danny22.html

dr.moxie September 22, 2010 (1:22 pm)

My daughter also loves this park, but more and more I get uneasy there, especially in the picnic area. Hopefully this incident was a fluke and not a sign of more things to come for the neighborhood. My thoughts go out to everyone involved!

bsmomma September 22, 2010 (1:43 pm)

On the Komo News website they identified the man and say he was beaten to death. This is so sad and un-nerving.

Shane September 22, 2010 (1:43 pm)

Its my understanding that the way to get huge OT is to work traffic. Apparently that’s the place to rack it up. Id be curious to know if the deputy in the article is a traffic officer.

Kristin September 22, 2010 (1:45 pm)

I wish there was a way to TAKE BACK Roxhill Park. I, too, have been concerned with some of the adults hanging around by the bathrooms at and and all hours of the day. And while I had no idea about the after hours shenanigans, they don’t come as a surprise. All the kids I know LOVE the park–my three kids included. We could just bombard the area with families and with OUR presence show the creeps there is no room for them!

Ex-Westwood Resident September 22, 2010 (1:47 pm)

Mayor McGinn won’t hire new officers, or honor the agreement made with MOHI concerning their move, but the city has enough money to give to East African refugees. He ACTUALLY said that!!!
McGinn spoke about a recent meeting with struggling East African immigrants seeking city money for their kids. The plea illustrates the many pressing needs facing the city besides the museum, McGinn said. The city is looking at a $67 million budget shortfall that could force layoffs and widespread cuts to services, including library hours.
Three ares that SHOULD NEVER be cut are:
1. PUBLIC SAFETY (Fire/Police)
2. Education
3. Utilities
Cut all the rampant Social Programs that this city is paying for.

Ex-Westwood Resident September 22, 2010 (1:47 pm)

Here is the link to the abouve quote:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012856198_mohai10m.html

Dean September 22, 2010 (1:54 pm)

I jog regularly in this “hood” – often at night because of work hours. I see freaks, thugs and gangstas all over on here, and at all hours of the day/night. White Center (on the boarder of) is actually the highest crime area of Seattle – rivaling the worst parts of Tacoma. I CCW (carry a concealed weapon) with permit. Seattle nice doesn’t cut it in the hood. Defend your life people, buy a gun, get a permit, learn and practice using it. Stay alive and let the thugs occupy the pine boxes.

b-squared September 22, 2010 (2:30 pm)

Big picture of the victim at komo:

http://westseattle.komonews.com/content/police-identify-murdered-man-found-roxhill-park

DOC September 22, 2010 (2:56 pm)

LMFAO TLAs! And what does TLAs stand for? IMHO, TLA stands for “The Literary A-hole supreme”, however, IDK. If you don’t like the great reporting the blog does on stories like this and how well they keep us informed on community events, then you can just GTFO.

Cheryl September 22, 2010 (3:06 pm)

Wow, the comments over on KOMO News site are high-larious! “West Seattle is a rat hole” and “Anything east of 35th and south of Thistle isn’t even West Seattle, it’s Delridge”… WHAT???
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Why do people who don’t live here even feel the need to comment on OUR little slice of Seattle?
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Btw, I live really close to this park (within a mile) and was actually at Westwood Village from 8:30 to about 9:00am. No police presence there when I left via Barton to get coffee at Bird on a Wire, so I don’t know when the body was discovered, or when the police actually showed up.
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I do avoid Roxhill Park as much as possible; certainly don’t like taking my 4 year old there to play b/c of the teenage “gangstas” that hang out there all the time (including on/around the playground), as well as the homeless/druggie contingent that seems to be looking to score booze and dope along the edges of the creek path. But then, I’m not thrilled w/ the riff-raff that flows over into Westwood Village most of the time either.
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While I don’t think carrying a gun is the answer for every citizen, it isn’t a bad idea to at least consider “arming” oneself w/ knowledge, some common sense, and maybe a weapon of choice that you’re comfortable with.
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I’m sorry for this man’s family and their loss as well. No matter who this guy was, no one deserves to be beaten to death. Except maybe Charles Manson.

D.C. September 22, 2010 (3:35 pm)

Not to turn this into a CCW in Parks debate, but this unfortunate incident is a reminder of the dangers that are out there and the reason why some of us choose to legally carry concealed when we are out in public.

homesweethome September 22, 2010 (3:36 pm)

White Center is not the highest crime rate in Seattle. First of all, White Center may have a Seattle address but Roxbury is the line of incorporated v. unincorporated Seattle. White Center is part of King Co. Further, check the stats – crime is not higher compared to many part of incorporated Seattle.

Don’t let crime run you out of your neighborhoods – dig in, keep it, take it back, shine a spotlight on it. If you’ve got real estate regret, that’s one thing but we have lovely neighborhoods in West Seattle and they are ours to cherish and take care of – or let go.

sarelly September 22, 2010 (3:40 pm)

That’s so true, homesweethome. We shouldn’t be run out of our neighborhoods. That may be the most inspiring thing I’ve heard all day.

garybert September 22, 2010 (3:43 pm)

My wife and I have been volunteering at the Roxhill Park (Bog) since it was transformed–once a month for at least the last 10-11 years. As part of our usual routine, we sweep the park for trash. It is not unusual to find various alcohol containers and drug stuff. There are areas where we find camps-occupied-and we try to steer clear of them.
As we clear trails, remove invasive plants, and reinstall native plants, it’s obvious that the neighbors of the park don’t seem to care. A lot of them do–they walk their dogs, bring their kids, and even use wheel chairs to get to Westwood.
Why do they leave Safeway and Target Carts in the park?

dogcarrier September 22, 2010 (4:44 pm)

So sorry to hear the news and my heart goes to the family of the murdered victim. I live near the park, walk my dog there everyday–even after dark during winter time. I see school kids (high-school age ) consuming beers in daytime, hanging out by the restroom–also a few alcoholics who are passed out under the big trees near the playground. I hate seeing this kind of activities, but as a regular park user, I try to pick up the trash I find and put them in garbage bins (such an easy thing to do), and I focus on the positive aspect of this neighborhood. Roxhill park is the labor of love by the numerous volunteers (like the man above) who care enough to restore a bog, establish a wildlife habitat and provide a recreational spot for this neighborhood. (Not to mention constantly and tirelessly cleaning up the nasty tags on the bathroom walls) I cannot express how much I enjoy strolling through the park and admire the native plants, birds and experience the subtle changes of season. Of course one needs to be vigilant and stay alert etc, but fear-mongering comments I’ve read about this neighborhood makes me sick to my stomach. Get real, you cannot run away from problems unless you live in a bubble. Let’s pick up the trash, stop complaining so much and do something to make West Seattle and the nearby unincorporated King County a better place to live.

Kb September 22, 2010 (5:13 pm)

Does anybody find it coincidental that yesterday was the day that charges were filed against the two men accused of the Highland Park beating and today we have another beating and we only have one of the accused in custody?

george September 22, 2010 (5:35 pm)

The editing server is going wild today!

Cb September 22, 2010 (5:49 pm)

Kb has a valid point……

anonyme September 22, 2010 (6:15 pm)

I have several unrelated thoughts/opinions on this tragic event.

First, I walked through that park a few weeks ago after not having done so for several years. I was shocked at how different and creepy it felt, and made a beeline outta there.

Second, Roxhill Park is in the Westwood neighborhood of Seattle, not in White Center. A petty detail perhaps, but it feels like the media is trying to add to White Center’s bad rap.

Third, did anyone else notice that the victim was Native American? Statistically, Native Americans not only have the highest rate of suicide, but are the most frequent victims of homicide. Could this be a hate crime? I thought this was ironic in view of the recent murder of John Williams.

Alki Resident September 22, 2010 (6:50 pm)

TLA-FYI, WSBLOG spends their days and nights printing out news stories,up to the minute.They dont get a good nights rest and are on thier toes to help all of us get much needed info about our community.I suggest you crawl back into your hole and stay there unless you want to take over their much appreciated job.Im surprised they dont use abbreviations more often with all they go through.And DANA,thank you for what you said this morning,saved me some time.And also,thank you WSBLOG you rock:)

Dean September 22, 2010 (7:08 pm)

What gets me is that I can go out on an evening jog, practically any night of the week, and witness 2 or 3 crimes or potential crimes in an around this area. I see drug deals, gangs, teenagers smoking various “substances”, fights, rowdiness and generally offensive thuggish or criminal behavior of all kinds. I never see cops noticing this though. In fact, I don’t see cops in these areas at all? Ever walk down the unlight access path to Westwood villages west side? I bet the cops don’t even know there is such a place where teen gangs hang and smoke weed on a regular basis. I see numerous cops having coffee at Starbucks a lot but how about patrolling where they could REALLY do some good? How ’bout doing a undercover opp in some of the shadowy places in West Seattle? I guess it gets ‘too real’ for even the cops to want to deal with – especially when they don’t even live in the neighbor hood.

35this35mph September 22, 2010 (7:21 pm)

Godspeed Martin.
Don’t feed the trolls.

DP September 22, 2010 (7:28 pm)

This sounds like an excellent topic to start a Forum topic on. Unfortunately, I don’t see many of the people who post on the WSB breaking news page carrying forward their discussions in the Forum area. Too bad . . .
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You all can make a difference in the future of Roxhill if you really want to. Just go to the next neighborhood safety meeting (hosted by Seattle Police Dept.) and, AS A GROUP, make your concerns known to the Department. They can give you some good ideas about how to systematically address the issues in the Roxhill area. Of course, this takes some serious time and energy, and it can be hard to sustain that over time . . .
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A few things I can think of that might make a difference at Roxhill Park:
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1) Cutting back the vegetation from the paths. (Someone said this already, I know.)
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2) Better lighting. (“”)
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3) A park curfew and/or signage.
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4) Some “panic button” call boxes in the park.
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5) Working with the Westwood Village Association to fund security enhancements.
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Roxhill is not my neighborhood, so I wouldn’t be a good one to lead the charge, but I know there are several WSB fans who live close and have a strong self-interest in improving park safety. I will say that I have seen many changes in that park over the years. With all the plantings and lanscaping, it’s much nicer to look at now than it was ten years ago. But with more places to hide, it’s also more dangerous.
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The point is, that it can change back to being a place that is both safe to be in and attractive to look it.
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Just add concerned citizens.

WSB September 22, 2010 (7:50 pm)

DP, WSB regulars know I suggest the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council time and time again. It just met last night, in fact (our report was published very early this morning). OK turnout but short on new faces, and there was room for them … the meeting ended half an hour earlier than scheduled, after president Dot Beard said, “Any more concerns? Anyone? Anyone?” The precinct’s #2 in command, Lt. Norm James, was there as usual. Both current Community Police Team officers were there. Benjamin Kinlow, the civilian SPD employee who as Crime Prevention Coordinator helps set up Block Watches, was there. 2 leaders of the all-volunteer Blockwatch Captains Network were there. There were side conversations afterward, so I hope maybe some folks were bringing up things they didn’t want to bring up before the whole group. But it really and truly honestly is a place to come at least once and say, hey, what’s being done about this, what can be done about this. I can’t guarantee you’ll get what you want out of it but it always strikes me as such a waste to have this opportunity and not have the room filled with at least one person from every neighborhood in West Seattle. And as noted in my story from this morning, some things are changing along with the change of command … another opportunity to say “hey, here’s what my neighborhood is seeing and needing.” Or at least to get an explanation of why something you wish would happen, didn’t, or can’t … TR

DP September 22, 2010 (7:57 pm)

Thanks, TR.
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Wow, bad timing on that last meeting, huh? ;-)

kgdlg September 22, 2010 (8:37 pm)

TR I sincerely appreciate all that you do. Thank you. This is a tragic story and one that we will hopefully get more information on soon from the SPD. My heart goes out to his family.

WSB September 22, 2010 (9:10 pm)

Just got a chance to read through all of the comments (aside from approving a few that the filter caught, I hadn’t really been able to read through since that first epic exchange): Coffee, I don’t know how many officers are on patrol in SWP on overnight watch. The precinct overall has about 100 people total – keep in mind that’s police force for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, plus management, plus detectives, plus administration – six wouldn’t surprise me, but if it’s so, the SWP leadership continues to point out that they have been kept fully staffed, at least what the city considers fully staffed, and that it’s better staffed than it’s ever been.
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#2 for the person who brought up the Danny Westneat column – I don’t know the SPD situation but please note, he was writing about King County Sheriff’s Office. The Times headline used “police” and many commenters on the Times site seemed to confuse the issue with SPD (which uses “police officers”) vs. KCSO (“deputies,” though of course they too are law-enforcement officers).
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Re: the person who thought Seattle had a murder a day … no, far from it. Even though West Seattle is our area of focus, since we watch the citywide 911 log/scanner and also the news flow via Twitter, we hear about what else happens in the city, and the murder rate continues to be low compared to elsewhere. I don’t even think it’s one per week.

And as I noted somewhere along the line in today’s coverage, this is the first murder in West Seattle in more than a year and a half. Neither of the two that happened in early 2009 were random; nor was the one that happened in early 2008 (the only one that year); nor were the three in 2007. I will probably write all that into tomorrow’s update – still catching up on some other stuff right now.

Amanda September 22, 2010 (9:50 pm)

TR and Crew, You were the first people I thought to look up this morning when I saw the police. It’s a testament to the job you do. Thank you!

(required) September 22, 2010 (9:56 pm)

Too bad for the victim, his family, and his friends over this shocking violence. Maybe more police would have helped, but ironically, a lot of the anti-SPD crowd are now complaining that there’s not enough cops … now that something like this happens. People should realize, the SPD do prevent crime and do a good job. They put their lives on the line, and yes, they use guttural language and intimidate and strike at non-compliant people who disrespect officers and orders from officers. But had there been more of them roaming the park, Martin would probably be alive. Instead, we have a dead man, a crime of homicide that could have been prevented simply by more SPD, and a loud chorus of people who want sensitivity training for cops. Too bad for us all, I think.

Silly Goose September 22, 2010 (10:04 pm)

This is horrible news, I am so sorry for the family of this victim and I am also sadden that once again our officers have to see such violence, with that said I know that therapist usually try to take a sabbatical to clear their minds. Do police officers ever take a theraputic sabbatical to clear their minds and soul of all the violence and death they encounter? I know I would not be able to close my eyes to sleep. Just wondering as I know that most police offiers are kind hearted men and women and this must really be difficult to see time and time again.

Karen September 22, 2010 (10:41 pm)

Hey (required). Being opposed to the unprovoked shooting of a harmless deaf man with a carving knife is not the same thing as being anti-SPD. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the police. One of the reasons I speak out for police accountability is because I think the excellent and honorable officers should not have to work with bully co-workers….or ones who become irrationally panicked because they’re facing a unfamiliar situation. Incidentally, I do think that the officer in south Seattle who punched the teenage girl probably behaved appropriately. She was assaulting him and he used minimum appropriate force to get the situation under control. I am glad she later apologized for her behavior and I’m sorry the officer got so much criticism.

By all means, let us have more police officers who are well-trained to protect the peace. This includes sensitivity training so they can distinguish between an actual threat and an deaf guy with a carving knife.

george September 22, 2010 (10:55 pm)

I would recommend to anyone to listen to the live feed on KOMO for the police scanner. You’d be amazed at how crazy the city gets after dark and what these officers have to respond to. You’d tip your cap to them when you take the time.

Karen September 22, 2010 (10:58 pm)

Skate Church has opened a new satellite near Roxhill park. They have a knack for reaching troubled teens and moving them into more positive choices. (I hope we can all agree that church constitutes a better choice than drugs and violence, yes?) They also have the ability to get large numbers of young people out in force doing positive things at Roxhill. Please consider offering your support, regardless of your theological beliefs. Yes, they would love to see everyone accept Jesus, but their strategy to make this happen is simply to model Jesus’ love for the world. No rabid bible-thumping or threats of hellfire will be encountered, I promise. I’ve found them to be pretty open to interfaith dialog, very respectful of families, and welcoming to all. And they feed the teenagers so their brains actually work well enough to think! Good work all around. Give ’em your support.

Lynn September 22, 2010 (11:17 pm)

It is unsettling to think that I was just in the park with my dog yesterday morning. Everything seemed safe and normal-as normal as life in any urban area can be. There were mothers and young children in the play area, city workers were tending the lawn and there was a steady flow of traffic in and out of the parking lot across the street at Westwood Village. A homeless man lay wrapped in a sleeping bag and a young man in a white jacket sat at a picnic table. The man at the table watched me and my dog for a few minutes and then put his head on the table as if resting.
I have never felt unsafe at the park and have never witnessed any illegal activity. I’ve also never been there after dark until I drove past tonight on my way home from work. I was shocked. It is pitch black. Why is there no lighting in this park? There is an assisted living facility near the crime scene and many residences nearby as well. I wonder if better lighting might have prevented this crime or allowed someone to witness it and call the police.
I cannot imagine taking a shortcut through there at night or being there at night for any reason. It must have been a terrifying place to die and I hope the murderer(s) will be caught soon. I’m not sure how long it will be before I’ll be comfortable going to the park again.

yeah right September 23, 2010 (7:45 am)

For the record, church pretty much IS a drug, so no, I do not think that is a better choice for my child. Why are we plugging Skate Church? May as well plug Mars Hill. HOORAY FOR BRAINWASHING!

HolyKow September 23, 2010 (9:08 am)

I hope we all can agree that more people have been killed with violence over the Church and several different versions of the sky fairy than drugs have ever killed…

Facts are facts from Nome to Rome.

D.C. September 23, 2010 (10:39 am)

“Being opposed to the unprovoked shooting of a harmless deaf man with a carving knife is not the same thing as being anti-SPD.”
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This is exactly the type of rhetoric that doesn’t help. It wasn’t the ‘unprovoked shooting of a harmless deaf man with a carving knife’, it was the self-defense shooting of a known belligerent drunk and felon, with a long history of giving the police trouble, who refused several times to drop a deadly weapon.
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Even $228k a year isn’t enough money to expect a cop to risk losing an eye or worse to some belligerent drunk who refuses to comply to a simple request to drop a weapon.
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And if you don’t think that the media and public’s reaction to the Williams shooting has an effect on police morale and effectiveness, guess again.

Sausage September 23, 2010 (10:42 am)

Karen said “I hope we can all agree that church constitutes a better choice than drugs and violence, yes?”

That does make some arrogant assumptions.

Kayleigh September 23, 2010 (11:22 am)

I can’t believe how much petty, irrelevant bickering and posturing I had to wade through to find real information (and even reasonable opinions) on this comment thread. Jeez.

me on 28th Ave SW September 23, 2010 (11:45 am)

I am thinking of the victim of this crime and wishing him peace. I am thinking of the family and friends of this man and wishing them peace as they work through all the difficult emotions of losing a loved one senselessly, violently and instantly. People do care about what happened to your loved one, and I hope that you know this.

Shane September 23, 2010 (12:51 pm)

“I can’t believe how much petty, irrelevant bickering and posturing I had to wade through to find real information (and even reasonable opinions) on this comment thread. Jeez.”
Best comment in the thread…….

HAHA September 23, 2010 (1:18 pm)

Yeah, the best part being that they’re reading through all 70+ comments for info that is already published in the story above. Way to try to hide your trolling!

bridge to somewhere September 23, 2010 (1:19 pm)

Yes, let’s get back to the crime, a crime in which a man was apparently beaten to death in a park a number of us live close to and use. A park in which earlier this year I believe another man reported he was beaten badly by thugs. A park in which many people on this blog have reported seeing thugs and criminal activities and graffiti, and have felt scared walking on the trails at night. A park in which several of us have written to the police about, and a park that we report crimes to 911 about frequently. Why the &*%$ is that park not being regularly patrolled? Why the &^%$ have I never, in my many years living here, seen a policeman/woman actually get out of their car and walk around the park at 2am to flush-out the criminals? Why the &^%$ do they not care when teenagers are drinking and fighting there at 2am? This terrible murder is not the first time Roxhill Park has been talked about on this blog. It’s not the first time the police have heard about it being a troubled spot. A couple of years ago I wrote to the precinct chief absolutely PLEADING for more patrols in the area. Actually, I even went to the much talked-about West Seattle Crime Prevention Council about 2 years ago–the first time I’d done that–and brought up the park, and absolutely zero changed (so the idea that the council actually affects police support in an area is questionable at best). I even wrote to the much talked about Ben Kinlow to get help–but he didn’t respond to me for over a month to my repeated emails! Again, despite all of this troubling information and all of this work I AM DOING to fight crime, I have not seen ANY change in how SPD patrols the area. PLEASE don’t give me any story that suggests its the communitee–or Roxhill neighbors in particular–that aren’t doing their part. I’ve done everything but wear a damn badge and pistol and walk into the park myself as a newly deputized officer. I need the police to actually do their jobs here. Indeed, one day after the murder I have yet to see 1 patrol car even drive by the park . . . more of the same, I suppose.

Karen September 24, 2010 (11:59 pm)

Many people have posted that getting more people into the park doing positive things is an important step to improving the safety of the park, correct? There are many groups who have the ability to do just that: get more people into the park doing positive things. Skate Church is one, and only one of those groups. I was not putting in a “plug” for anyone to convert. I am not a member and don’t plan to become one. I am simply pointing out that they are one of the groups who can have an influence in making Roxhill park a less appealing place for gang activity and violence. I’d encourage people to list here any other community groups that have similar talents so that we can all support them.

And people, I am quite familiar with the violence done in the name of religion. I will argue, however, that a bunch of teenagers playing soccer then sitting down and singing a couple hymns is slightly less problematic than a bunch of teenagers getting together to do drugs and then beat the hell out of each other over a perceived insult. I’m more than a little concerned that this is apparently an “arrogant assumption.”

Maybe I’ll try for something simpler.

I assume we all believe murder is bad and it is a shame this man is dead. I assume we all want the park to be a safer place. Will that do?