West Seattle, Washington

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month : 10/2011 367 results

SPD speeder roundup, almost-all-West-Seattle edition
October 20, 2011 9:10 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

A long list of Seattle Police Aggressive Drivers Response Team activities – almost all in West Seattle – is on SPD Blotter tonight, from school zones to major arterials to the West Seattle Bridge, including someone going almost double the speed limit on Admiral Way. See for yourself, here.

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Thinking about remodeling? Saturday workshop at Ventana
October 20, 2011 7:57 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

If you’re considering remodeling or rebuilding – there’s something new about this month’s edition of the free workshop offered by Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) … it’s happening on a weekend afternoon instead of a weeknight, for those who just haven’t been able to get to it before. Not only will Ventana team members be there, so will an architect (from Goforth-Gill Architects). It’s at 2 pm Saturday at 5458 California SW; RSVP by calling 206-932-3009.

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West Seattle traffic reminder: Partial bridge closure tonight
October 20, 2011 6:45 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic reminder: Partial bridge closure tonight
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Just a reminder, since this was announced only yesterday: TONIGHT, 10 pm-5 am, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct – that’s the West Seattle Bridge between I-5 and Highway 99 – is scheduled to be closed for work related to the ongoing widening project. That means you will not be able to access the West Seattle Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill.

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If you got the Water Taxi alert re: Pier 50 sidewalk: Never mind
October 20, 2011 4:13 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Right around lunchtime today, the King County Water Taxi “alert” list got an alarming message saying that the sidewalk by the WT’s downtown dock, Pier 50, would be closed for work starting … immediately:

Water Taxi-riding WSB’ers e-mailed us (and posted in the WSB Forum) saying essentially: “WHAT?” We checked with King County Councilmember Joe McDermott‘s office, since he also chairs the Ferry District board. It was news to them too. BOTTOM LINE: We’ve just heard from Michelle Allison on the McDermott team, and she says the work has been postponed till November – AFTER the Viaduct closure. (The “alert” list subsequently received this:)

Meantime, our daily Viaduct updates have been delayed due to breaking news this afternoon (including some in White Center), but check back here later this evening! And remember, the closure starts at **7:30 pm** tomorrow – so it will NOT affect the Friday morning/evening rush hours.

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Update: Suspected ‘serial exposer’ now charged; bail increased
October 20, 2011 4:03 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The man suspected of exposing himself to children in several spots around the city including Alki is now charged, and his bail has been raised. The update from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office:

A 29-year-old man arrested for exposing himself to children in Seattle was charged this afternoon with one count of Child Molestation Second Degree and five counts of Indecent Exposure. Jesse K. Drugger is scheduled for arraignment on the charges on November 3 at 8:30 a.m. at the King County Courthouse, courtroom 1201. Prosecutors requested and the court approved a bail increase to $250,000 from $100,000. The defendant remains in jail.

We have just received the charging documents and will add any additional information they yield.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Bank robbery in Morgan Junction
October 20, 2011 2:25 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
ORIGINAL 2:25 PM REPORT: Police have rushed to the Washington Federal branch at California/Fauntleroy in Morgan Junction after a robbery report. According to what we are hearing on the scanner, the suspects are described as two men, apparently wearing Halloween masks. There are two reports that the getaway car might be black – a witness near the kitty-corner Thriftway saw men carrying at least one pillowcase jump into a car there and take off. Police are on the lookout all over West Seattle and the city, and also reportedly trying to determine if it’s part of a recent series (we haven’t had any here in WS lately).

2:44 PM UPDATE: Added a photo from WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli, who’s at the scene, and says Seattle Police have given him a few other details – the robbers were white, male, and wearing hoodies, as well as the aforementioned “Halloween masks.” Police confirm they are looking for a black getaway car. Scanner traffic says the robbers were believed to be armed with a shotgun and a handgun.

3:32 PM UPDATE: No word of any arrests so far. A few more details from Christopher at the scene: “The bank manager confirms the branch is closed for the rest of the day and as patrons have been showing up, they’ve been directed to use other branches. SPD detectives are on scene and are reviewing camera footage. They’re also taking pictures in the alley north of the bank location.” We asked him if they had been told what the robbers’ reported “Halloween masks” looked like. One description so far: Possibly a George W. Bush mask.

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Madison, Alki win ‘Schools of Distinction’ award
October 20, 2011 12:52 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Just in from Seattle Public Schools: Madison Middle School and Alki Elementary are two of five district schools just announced as winners of the “School of Distinction” award, signifying “outstanding academic improvement and math,” according to the official district announcement. It’s the fourth consecutive award for Madison, whose principal Henterson Carlisle mentioned the three previous awards in his introduction to the School Board candidates’ forum on Tuesday night and said they were hoping to make it four in a row – now they have. There’ll be a ceremony in the schools’ honor, but the date’s not set yet. In all, 99 schools around the state won the award.

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West Seattle Crime Watch followup: Home-invasion suspect
October 20, 2011 12:26 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

A new development in the Alki home-invasion robbery we first told you about early yesterday: Seattle Police have released this image of one of the suspected robbers. They say it’s from an ATM here in West Seattle, captured as the suspect used a credit card stolen in the robbery. If you have any idea who this is, or any other information about the robbery, call the Seattle Police Robbery Unit at 206-684-5535. The SPD Blotter update on this adds: “Anonymous calls are welcome.”

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Bicyclist hurt after hitting car door that opened in her path
October 20, 2011 12:21 pm
|      68 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

A woman in her 20s was just taken to the hospital by private ambulance after her bicycle collided with a car near Genesee/California at the north end of The Junction. Though it was originally dispatched as a potentially major medical call, Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore says the rider has only minor injuries. WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli found out from police at the scene that the woman was riding southbound on California when a driver parked in front of a building on California opened his car door into her path, and she went over the handlebars.

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What’s that, off the stern? New Whale Trail signs on ferries
October 20, 2011 10:58 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Click for full-size PDF of sign graphic)
So you’re on a ferry, looking out the window, or standing on the open deck, and suddenly – hey! What’s that over there? The question might be easier to answer now that West Seattle-based The Whale Trail has informational signs onboard Washington State Ferries. There are two signs on each ferry and one in each terminal. They show/describe orcas, gray whales, Dall’s porpoises, harbor seals, and California sea lions, and include QR codes you can use to get to The Whale Trail’s website from your mobile device. According to Whale Trail founder Donna Sandstrom, the Seattle Aquarium donated the graphic-design services, and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife printed the signs. (Read the official news release here.)

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West Seattle Thursday: Alki, SWCC, CSO meetings – plus, SLGFF
October 20, 2011 9:59 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to WSB contributor Keri DeTore for the photo of Delridge’s Dragonfly Pavilion in that sunshine we enjoyed earlier this week … nowhere to be found at the moment. But we can always dream. In the meantime, things to consider for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

LEARNING WHILE HELPING: From Matt Evans at West Seattle Academy/WS Montessori (WSB sponsor): Students are doing park cleanups at Lincoln Park and Alki today. “The clean-ups are an extension of our Leadership class in the middle school, and the result of a class brainstorm about how we can give back to our community. We will be armed with trash bags and rubber gloves to help make Lincoln Park and Alki litter-free, so if you see our students at either location today, show them your appreciation with a ‘Thanks!’.”

ROXHILL SKATESPOT’S DOWNTOWN REVIEW: Seattle Design Commission looks at Roxhill Skatespot, 1 pm, Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall.

WSHS SPIRIT DINNER AND AUCTION: West Seattle High School Athletics are the beneficiary for tonight’s gala sponsored by the PTSA and WSHS Foundation, The Hall at Fauntleroy, doors open at 5:30 pm for silent auction/appetizers/drinks, dinner is at 7, live auction/dessert dash/raffle at 7:30 pm. Call to see if tickets are still available – 206-252-0476 or e-mail rjlee@seattleschools.org.

LESBIAN AND GAY FILM FESTIVAL IN WEST SEATTLE: Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (WSB sponsor)’s first of three days with screenings at the Admiral Theater in West Seattle – schedule here – first screening tonight is at 6 pm.

LOWMAN BEACH SEWER-OVERFLOW PROJECT: The Murray (that’s the pump station at Lowman Beach) Combined Sewer Overflow project will be updated at a community meeting, 6:30 pm, Fauntleroy Church fellowship hall (9140 California SW).

GIRL SCOUT INFO NIGHT: Girl Scouts have another free family information night in West Seattle – this time it’s at WS (Admiral) Library, 6:30 pm.
For more information, please visit GirlScoutsWW.org or call 425-614-1126

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Monthly meeting at Alki UCC Church Parlor, 6215 SW Hinds, 7 pm – topics include landslide mitigation (see recent WSB story) and community-center changes.

SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY CENTER’S FUTURE: If the budget-cut proposal to change Southwest Community Center into a Teen Life Center and Neighborhood Service Center goes through, what programs and hours should the center keep? City-led discussion tonight, 7 pm (details here)

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1 more Chief Sealth-WSHS sports note: Volleyball tiebreaker
October 20, 2011 8:47 am
|    Comments Off on 1 more Chief Sealth-WSHS sports note: Volleyball tiebreaker
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

In addition to the Huling Bowl football game at 7 pm Friday – with pre- and during-game festivities detailed in last night’s story – there’s one more West Seattle High School–Chief Sealth International High School game of note that night: Volleyball! After Sealth’s win at Nathan Hale in five sets last night, the stage is set for them to face WSHS in a division-championship tiebreaker game – both went 11-1 in division play – at 5:45 pm Friday at Holy Names High School (728 21st Ave. East; admission free).

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Crime trends, Arbor Heights fire discussed @ West Seattle Crime Prevention Council
October 20, 2011 8:31 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Katie Meyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Can termite damage really cause a fire in your wooden home? A baseboard heater that is turned “off” stays off, doesn’t it? Just how can something “spontaneously combust” (which started the fire at right, in Arbor Heights in August)?

Many questions related to fires – and fire safety – were answered Tuesday night at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting held at the Southwest Precinct. A late but informative addition to the agenda: The Seattle Fire Department provided guest speakers – education specialist Dana Catts and investigator Ronald M. Ready from the Arson and Fire Investigation Unit.

First, Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Pierre Davis gave an update on current crime rates, stressing that recent success in reducing certain crimes was bolstered by “the efforts that have happened with our citizens here and their fantastic job they’re doing in reporting crime to 911, saying the right things to the 911 operators, giving the right information.”

Read More

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Huling Bowl on Friday! Barbecue, football, food drive …
October 19, 2011 11:19 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Who will win the Huling Bowl this year? We find out Friday night. But, as the official announcement reveals, there are more reasons to come cheer the annual West Seattle High School vs. Chief Sealth International High School football game than just the game itself:

Join both schools, past alumni and the entire West Seattle community in this annual contest between area rivals. Festivities include a free pre-game barbecue provided by long-time supporters and named sponsors, Steve and Tom Huling.

School Principals Ruth Medsker of West Seattle and Chris Kinsey of Chief Sealth have upped the ante and backed their school, by placing a friendly wager on the game. They’ve agreed that the winning team’s leader will get to be “principal for a day” at the other school.

The student leadership of each school is getting into the act as well, asking the fans representing each school to participate in a canned food drive during the week and at the entrance into West Seattle Stadium. All of the donated goods will go directly to the West Seattle Food Bank, with the winning school’s community being recognized during the game.

The game is also in the running for Kiro7’s High School “Game of the Week” with voting taking place online at kirotv.com/hsfootball/index.html.

Half-time entertainment includes an exciting joint performance from the two bands as well a light-hearted competition between the two schools’ staff. The game also marks West Seattle’s “Senior Night,” and recognition will be paid to the senior football players from that program in what will be their last home game of their careers.

Pre-game:
• 5:30: Pre-game BBQ starts (provided by Steve and Tom Huling)
• 6:00: Stadium gates open
• 6:55: Sealth Band performs National Anthem
• 7:00: Kickoff

Half-time (20 minutes):
• 10 minutes: Sealth and West Seattle band in joint field show
• 5 minutes: Sealth vs. West Seattle staff “punt, pass & kick” competition

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Happening now: Halloween Art Jam at Feedback Lounge
October 19, 2011 9:05 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

What could be scarier than creating art in front of an audience? The Halloween Art Jam is happening right now at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction. When WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli stopped by about an hour ago, three artists were busily working – and a fourth was on the way, according to Feedback proprietor Jeff Gilbert. Above, that’s Eric Osborne; next, Steve Klinkel:

He told Christopher they’re expecting to keep going until at least 11 pm – so if you’d like to see the works in progress … which will eventually be available for sale, by the way – head on over to 6451 California SW – Vblast is part of the lineup too:

Jeff, ever the impresario, says he has another art event in the works — 10 artists, 10 easels, they all paint a portion of each one. But first – The Feedback has more Halloween fun to scare up – check out the calendar to see what’s up.

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How to make roads safer? Mayor, council are asking you
October 19, 2011 8:14 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The mayor and City Council have three questions for you:

*What do you think are the highest priority safety problems to solve on Seattle roads?
*What do you think are the most important things to do to make Seattle roads safer?
*We often talk about what government can do to promote safety. What are the ways that non-governmental groups and individuals can promote safety?

To get your answer, a three-session Road Safety Summit is about to kick off – with the third session in West Seattle, 6 pm November 21st at Southwest Community Center. The city asks that you RSVP if you can – which you can do here.

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Video: School Board challengers, incumbents in West Seattle
October 19, 2011 7:26 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

As promised, here’s the video from last night’s Seattle School Board candidates forum in West Seattle – all four incumbents, all four challengers, brought together at Madison Middle School by local PTSA/PTA groups. While board members represent specific districts, in the general election, all voters in the district get to vote in all the races, so you will find all four of these matches on your ballot – which should arrive soon, since King County Elections was expecting to put them in the mail today. The candidates are listed here (with links to information about them).

Our video includes the entire hour-plus section of the forum in which the eight candidates answered questions, both written Q’s from the audience and follow-ups by moderator Phyllis Fletcher from KUOW, some in “lightning round” style, some more at length. The video is in three parts – between parts 1 and 2, there was some stopping down to arrange everybody; then the camera itself shut down for a second between parts 2 and 3. If you want to watch any one of the clips fullscreen, click the YouTube logo on that clip, and it’ll take you to the page where you can do that. (The forum began with about half an hour focused on the Families/Education Levy; we have video of that too and will publish it within the next few days.)

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Viaduct-closure countdown notes: Challenge; cycling; coffee
October 19, 2011 5:18 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

Three more Alaskan Way Viaduct closure-related notes as the 7:30 pm Friday start time approaches (graphic at left courtesy of Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, whose news is item #3):

WEST SEATTLE POLITICIANS’ COMMUTE CHALLENGE: The idea was hatched at last week’s West Seattle High School open house about the Viaduct closure – but at the time, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen told us, he and County Councilmember Joe McDermott just had to get County Executive Dow Constantine to commit to it. Apparently he has, because it’s just been announced that the three West Seattle-residing elected officials will showcase commuting alternatives this Friday in a race of sorts. McDermott will take the Water Taxi; Constantine will take Metro; Rasmussen will bike (weather permitting). The starting line: Heart of The Junction (California/Alaska), around 7:30 am Friday; finish line, City Hall, an hour or so later. The media has been amply alerted, so watch for cameras along the way …

RIDING YOUR BIKE? Thanks to Max for pointing this out – the Cascade Bicycle Club is going to give bicyclists a boost if they choose to head from West Seattle into downtown, with a special station on the west side of the “low bridge” on Monday and Wednesday (and a post-closure followup on Halloween morning), followed by a “bike train” ride. Details here.

VIADEALS: Stay home and save! That’s the message local businesses are starting to get out. Among the first: WSB’s original sponsor, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse in The Junction. Proprietor Lora Swift is offering a full hour of Internet access with a beverage purchase throughout closure week – and reminding commute-bravers that they can use TextWire to save time and order in advance. Read all about it here.

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Crime Watch update: $100,000 bail for suspected serial exposer
October 19, 2011 3:43 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The 29-year-old man suspected of exposing himself to children in the Whale Tail Park area, as well as elsewhere around the city, had a bail hearing this afternoon. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says bail was set at $100,000, and they have until tomorrow to file charges. They also released court documents that say he has at least two aliases, and was convicted of indecent exposure in December 2005. One of the non-WS incidents in which he is suspected, court documents say, went beyond “exposing” – he allegedly got close enough to one young victim to get bodily fluids on her. In the September 29th Alki incident, reported to WSB by a parent, he allegedly stalked a group of kids for several blocks before the exposure incident.He was arrested late Monday night at his home in Kenmore.

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Traffic alert: Partial overnight closure for the other Viaduct
October 19, 2011 3:16 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

And suddenly, there is one more closure in the mix – this afternoon, SDOT announced that tomorrow (Thursday) night, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct will be closed, 10 pm to 5 am. That’s the section of the West Seattle Bridge between I-5 and Highway 99. While it’s closed during that time frame, you will not be able to get to the bridge from I-5, but you will be able to reach it from 99. SDOT says this closure, part of the ongoing project to widen that section of the bridge, is “to test techniques for preparing old deck for new paving.”

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Viaduct-closure countdown: Got a plan? Got questions?
October 19, 2011 12:44 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

(WSDOT photo via Flickr – equipment ready to tear down much of the Viaduct’s southern section during the closure)
We’ve been talking about it for four and a half months – and now, the nine-day, ten-night Alaskan Way Viaduct closure is finally almost here. The official bullet points (the unofficial stuff is coming up separately):

*Scheduled to start 7:30 pm this Friday (October 21) and end by 5 am a week from Monday (October 31)
*Entire southbound stretch will be closed that entire time
*Northbound, West Seattle Bridge to Royal Brougham will be closed the entire time, but from Royal Brougham (stadium zones) on, it’ll be open 5 am-7 pm weekdays (and “special events”)
*Extra Metro buses, plus reroutes (which start at 7 pm Friday) – details here
*Extra King County Water Taxi runs (here’s the special schedule), plus bigger shuttles and parking at Don Armeni
*Travel times and city cams (including live WS Bridge video) on the Travelers’ Information map

Lots of other details from our reports in recent weeks … but those are the toplines. If you still have a question about getting around during the closure, or about the project, post a comment and we’ll seek out answers. And/or PLEASE join us and our friends at KING 5 – with whom we’re teaming up next week for maximum traffic-tackling oomph – for a last-minute online chat on Friday morning, 11 am-noon: The page is already set up – find it here!

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Community meetings tonight: Morgan Junction, Delridge
October 19, 2011 10:44 am
|    Comments Off on Community meetings tonight: Morgan Junction, Delridge
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

In lieu of our regular daily preview, pre-empted by this morning’s developing story, please check out the WSB West Seattle Events calendar to see what’s up today/tonight. In Morgan Junction, the Morgan Community Association has its quarterly meeting at 7 at The Kenney; to the east, the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meets at 7 at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, with a vision for Delridge Way’s future on the agenda. Plus, early Halloween, with “Evil Dead” opening at ArtsWest and a special spooky Art Jam at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor). Full list here.

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Update: 2 people found dead in west Admiral home
October 19, 2011 4:13 am
|      48 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

4:13 AM: Police and fire crews are in the 2600 block of 50th SW, and visible from Admiral Way nearby, after responding to a call described on the SFD log as “assault with weapons” – which is used in a variety of incident types, so that doesn’t necessarily mean someone has been attacked. We’re still working to find out exactly what they believe happened; more shortly.

4:48 AM UPDATE: We’re down the block from the scene and have heard the use of a bullhorn to try to contact someone inside the house that police were called to. KING 5 reports that police say a man called them from the house after 3 am, claiming to have shot someone. Though this is unfolding just about a block off Admiral Way, it’s not affecting traffic – police are conducting their operation on residential streets, including 50th and Waite.

5:10 AM UPDATE: In the “media staging area” east of the scene (photo above), with all TV stations on hand. SWAT vehicles rolled by a few minutes ago.

5:40 AM UPDATE: Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen just talked with us briefly at the media staging area. He says they still don’t know for sure whether the man who called 911 is in the house or not. He clarifies that the caller, whom he described as “elderly,” claimed he had shot his wife.

6 AM UPDATE: Loud boom/bang sounds in the area are part of the attempt to reach the man, if he is indeed inside.

7:06 AM UPDATE: Det. Mark Jamieson from the SPD Media Unit just briefed us all. Same information, basically, except that he added that police are not going to rush into the house until they’re sure it’s a safe situation – even though, as he acknowledged, there’s a possibility someone is injured in there. He says they do not believe the neighborhood is in danger, though he doesn’t know if any gunshots were actually heard before the man called 911. They are relatively sure that original call after 3 am was made from inside the house – it was via a land line.

7:22 AM UPDATE: Det. Jamieson had an update just a few moments ago – SWAT officers went into the house and found two people dead, a man and woman. Murder-suicide is suspected; investigators are now at work to find out more, and they will have an update later this morning. The murder victim would be the first in West Seattle since the Fauntleroy stabbing death of the vaudeville artist best known as Hokum W. Jeebs back in February. The last murder-suicide case was the quadruple shooting in Highland Park in September of last year.

7:43 PM UPDATE: The SWAT units are leaving.

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
9:58 AM UPDATE: Added a photo of police investigating at the house – media was not allowed near it, for obvious reasons, while the SWAT team was still there and unsure what was happening inside.

10:32 AM UPDATE: Police have posted their summary of what happened; no new information, though. But unofficial sources have said the wife, 80 according to online records, was very ill – including this WSB commenter.

THURSDAY UPDATE: One of the couple’s children talked with our partners at the Seattle Times, identifying the couple as Helen and Harvey Spicer, and saying Mrs. Spicer had Parkinson’s disease.

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