Update: Police/fire response north of Fauntleroy ferry dock

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
12:19 PM: There’s an assault-with-weapons response at Lincoln Park right now, and you’re probably hearing a helicopter (TV, we believe) too. Scanner says it’s believed to be a shooting suicide in a car in the south end of Lincoln Park. That’s all we know about the circumstances right now – more to come.

12:38 PM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene says this actually happened just north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. The dock itself is still accessible. The car with the suspected-suicide victim inside is at Cove Park, the tiny park north of the ferry terminal.

1:02 PM UPDATE: Added a photo from the scene. The car is behind the canvas put up to shield it from view.

(Our customary note: Authorities explain suicide as a deadly symptom of mental illness. If you or anyone you know needs help in preventing it, there’s a 24-hour hotline – 206-461-3222. A discussion about suicide prevention also is scheduled on October 23rd, during Fauntleroy Church’s “Family Matters” week – information here.)

Stephanie October 12, 2011 (1:14 pm)

That is incredibly sad. Rest in peace whomever you are.

Here October 12, 2011 (1:17 pm)

I have lived in West Seattle for what feels like a hundred years, and had no idea there was a park there.

WSB October 12, 2011 (2:01 pm)

@Here … it’s a small sliver of beach between the dock and the private homes to the north (which in turn abut Lincoln Park). Some months from now, it will become a construction zone for the Barton pump station expansion, as reported here recently https://westseattleblog.com/2011/09/councilmembers-preview-the-future-of-fauntleroys-cove-park

velo_nut October 12, 2011 (2:14 pm)

I don’t feel bad for the person as much as I feel for the family and folks left behind.

rest in peace October 12, 2011 (2:20 pm)

So sad sorry to hear it.

Sharon October 12, 2011 (2:49 pm)

So sad. :(

clint October 12, 2011 (3:02 pm)

i am a ferry worker, and i was first to find this man. at 1215 i heard a loud bang and then went to investigate and found him. its a sad day and i wish i wouldnt have gone to work today…

Westside J. October 12, 2011 (3:27 pm)

Clint that’s awful I’m very sorry. Don’t hesitate to talk to someone if you need to!
I feel for the family.

Kristen October 12, 2011 (3:37 pm)

My heart goes out to this man and his loved ones… and also to you, Clint, because that truly must have been horrific for you. I second Westside’s suggestion of talking to someone if you feel it could help you absorb and cope with what you witnessed today. Everyone involved is in my thoughts and prayers.

For anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or grieving over a loved one who lost their life to suicide, AFSP (the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) is a wonderful resource. http://www.afsp.org

JO October 12, 2011 (3:44 pm)

Oh my! So terribly sad. and Clint, I’m so sorry you had to find this person. Please take good care of yourself.

sacatosh October 12, 2011 (3:48 pm)

so incredibly sad. May he find peace, and may his loved ones find support. Survivors of Suicide groups are wonderful if you’re one of those left behind, be you friend or family or ferry worker who found him. :(

NotMe October 12, 2011 (3:51 pm)

Hang in there, Clint. Go home today and hug your family, pets, friends, whatever. Remind them they are all important to you.

bsmomma October 12, 2011 (3:58 pm)

So sad. It breaks my heart to know that someone fealt there was no other option. My heart goes out to everyone that loved this person.

Clint- How awful for you to expereince that. Thoughts and prayers to you. Keep your chin up and maybe take this experience and help someone else.

WSBORN&RAISED October 12, 2011 (4:21 pm)

Have they released info on the person who took their life? I have a friend that lives in WS that has been battling deppresion and I am concerned.. :(

WSB October 12, 2011 (4:29 pm)

WSBORN – there will be no official ID until the medical examiner’s daily media-hotline report tomorrow, unless you are next of kin. I might be able to find out an age today but that still likely wouldn’t calm your concern – I hope you are able to reach your friend soon and find reassurance. – TR

Danna October 12, 2011 (4:58 pm)

Hi Clint,
I am part of the Board of Directors for the WA State Chapter of AFSP. We have kits that we would be happy to send out to you and/or your work place. We also have a Survivors Outreach Program if you would like to talk to a peer.
Of course these services are available to anyone else that might need them.
Please post to let me know.

Bonnie October 12, 2011 (5:02 pm)

Very, very sad.

clint October 12, 2011 (5:10 pm)

i want to thank all of you who have concern for me. i am grateful. thank you for your kind words. i am still trying to process this. i have taken this time to be with my family (as they are suffering also) and talking this out seems to help. i have so many unanswered questions.

not me : i have taken your advice, thanks

clint

Christy October 12, 2011 (6:09 pm)

I was in line for the ferry when this was going on. So sad.

Al October 12, 2011 (6:12 pm)

There is free training available in suicide prevention for anyone in King County.
Check out http://www.yspp.org for more information (under the training tab, two training options ASIST and SafeTalk)

There is also a national crisis line 1800-273-8255(TALK), that can be called 24/7 for anyone who with a behavioral health crisis (or a family member or friend can also call for advice).

crowe October 12, 2011 (7:22 pm)

So sad to hear this. Heartbreaking. Thoughts to his friends & family.

Noelle October 12, 2011 (7:36 pm)

Clint I hope you can have a chance to go do something you enjoy for you. Painting always helps me cope. So sad for all involved!

I Love that little park, its such a warm and inviting place . . . no matter the season. The geese and ducks are funny watch in spring and summer. The water is always beautful.

Tony October 12, 2011 (7:51 pm)

Sad to see that this happened, there are always alternatives to taking your own life and I applaud WSB for posting resources. No matter how much your down in the dumps you can only slide down so far before you get back up, for anyone that has had this though cross their mind I hope you find the support necessary to get through this difficult stage of life.

L October 12, 2011 (8:45 pm)

Such a sad day. To the victim- I hope you are able to rest in peace. To the victims family and friends- I hope you are able to find comfort through this extremely difficult time. Please use some of the resources listed in other posts to help you work through this most devastating situation. They can help you work through all of your feelings of confusion, disbelief, anger, and anything else that you may be experiencing. Hopefully one day you will find peace.
Clint, I wish you well and hope that you might also take advantage of some of the resources provided by other bloggers to get through this very difficult time. I applaud you for reaching out to the blog and for taking the advice of “not me” and spending time with your family. They will be the best support system to help you through this awful event. My condolences to all involved. Such a tragedy.

I heart Delridge October 12, 2011 (8:47 pm)

Clint, I will keep you in my prayers. I hope you do have plenty of support. Sounds like our whole community will be thinking of you tonight and through the week. Always sad to hear news like this.

ROB NICHOLS October 12, 2011 (9:22 pm)

Sorry to hear that you had to see or hear something so sad. I hope that you can talk to some one. If you need to talk to some one call me please you got my number.

pigeonmom October 12, 2011 (9:35 pm)

I came on shift at the dock shortly after this happened.
It’s been hard thinking about the pain of all involved.
I just put a few flowers at the site.
Blessings to all.

sj2 October 12, 2011 (9:52 pm)

This is so sad. :( Clint, I am sorry you witnessed this. You will be in my thoughts, as well as the family/friends. It seems like there have been more suicides lately, or maybe we are just hearing about them. As someone who has gone through these thoughts and probably should not be here today, this just breaks my heart. It doesn’t always get better, but you do develop better ways to cope. Please talk to someone if you need.

MMB October 12, 2011 (10:18 pm)

As a fellow suicide-victim-finder, I really sympathize. And my heart aches for everybody involved.

clint October 13, 2011 (9:17 am)

i am wondering if the name of the victim has come out yet?

thanks

WSB October 13, 2011 (9:29 am)

The medical examiner’s daily media hotline listing deaths that the office investigates does not come online before about 3 pm. I’ll be checking this afternoon.

clint October 13, 2011 (9:35 am)

thank you wsb. i will keep checking here

Steph in WS October 13, 2011 (12:24 pm)

@velo-nut that is too bad you don’t care for the poor person who felt their only alternative was to end their life. Contrary to what you might think, it is not a selfish act I believe you think it is. I can tell you from being very, very close to suicide myself and from losing my father to suicide. Please hold that person in your prayers.

jesse October 13, 2011 (1:37 pm)

to our friend who left us yesterday we will miss you and you will allways be part of us

clint October 13, 2011 (3:28 pm)

just checking if the victim has been named…

thanks

WSB October 13, 2011 (5:30 pm)

His name was not on today’s media hotline, which means it’s not yet approved for publication and next of kin may not all have been notified … TR

WSBORN&RAISED October 13, 2011 (3:52 pm)

Any word yet on the victim?

coffee October 13, 2011 (4:56 pm)

Current stats are 1 in 3 people suffer from some type of mental illness at this time. Its creaping up too. I just learned this recently while in the hospital.
And for people that don’t understand, when one is at their darkest moment, its almost impossible to reach out to someone or an agency for help. I know, I have been there myself. And my own family and group of friends had no idea that I had any type of issues going on in my life.

Beth October 13, 2011 (5:58 pm)

This just breaks my heart. I, as we all do, feel for that man’s family & friends.

Clint, I will be praying for you and your family, as well. Know that you may never have the answers to “why”, but the fact you’re going to hold your family a lot closer tonight and that you are brave to tell the story so others might learn and understand (is something).

This is such a difficult topic to breach *before* something happens, but it’s critical we stop being afraid to: http://www.crisisclinic.org/main.html

clint October 14, 2011 (12:54 am)

thank you for those words beth. i returned to the scene today and back to work. it was hard to pull back into that park again today. i picked up some flowers and left them. i was relieved that there was nothing left behind. i have some closure now that i know his name and age. im sure in the coming weeks, things will set in. needless to say, i didnt quite get all the rest i would have on other nights. one part of me wants to know more, but the other doesnt want to get attached. but i cant help but be moved by why this young man took his life that day.

i am looking into how i can help future persons who innocently stumble upon suicide victims. any info on where i go from here would be great…

AJK October 14, 2011 (7:32 am)

Where can I find the name of the victim? A co-worker of mine committed suicide this week and I wonder if this was him.

WSBORN&RAISED October 14, 2011 (10:25 am)

Clinton- How were you able to get the victims name and age? Was it in the herald or the times?

WSB October 14, 2011 (10:56 am)

WSBORN … no one else has covered this so far as I know. (The old-school, unfortunate media taboo on so much as a mention of suicide has not loosened its grip everywhere yet.) He called the Medical Examiner’s office, according to a comment that we didn’t approve for publication because it included a name BUT that name has not been reported on the OK-for-media-to-publish hotline that the ME updates daily, which could mean next-of-kin hadn’t all been notified yet. You might just want to check with the Medical Examiner’s Office if you think you may know the victim … TR

clint October 14, 2011 (11:07 am)

Coroner office king county

clint October 14, 2011 (11:40 am)

Wsb. my apologies if I prematurely posted his name. I figured if the Medical examiner released his name to me, that it was public knowledge, as per your previous post… I unfortunatly do not have the power to remove my posts, so please do so if u feel it should

guy October 14, 2011 (6:42 pm)

Is there any to find out the victims name online?

Gabe October 14, 2011 (9:42 pm)

Clint that was a great friend of mine. I want to thank you for finding him so quickly so that he wasnt out there alone any longer. It was very unfortunate that it came to this he lived life very full probably more than most people do in a lifetime. I dont know what brought him to this and I am sure no one ever does I feel sadness for how desperate and lonely that he must have felt to do this. I hope he now has peace and sees how much he was appreciated. Thanks for finding him so we can start showing him how much he will always be remembered and appreciated for the time he gave us. His friends and family will miss him very much.

Becky October 15, 2011 (8:41 am)

Thoughts and prayers for the family and friends of the man who took his life at Cove Park Friday. To Clint, I strongly suggest to you that you talk to someone about your feelings about finding the man. Share your deepest feelings so you can let it go. As a first responder I have had situations where I didn’t share my deepest, darkest thoughts . . . only when I admitted them to myself and shared them with another was I free to move forward in my life. I thank you for your compassion and willingness to check on another human being. Blessings to you Clint and your Loved Ones. Peace ~ Becky

Keith G October 15, 2011 (10:33 am)

There will be a memorial service for Justin this Sunday (10/16) at the beach just north of the ferry dock at 2:30 pm. He is sorely missed by all of his friends.

clint October 15, 2011 (12:35 pm)

gabe, i am so sorry for your loss. i myself had a family member take his life two years ago. i understand what the family is going thru. i feel for them, and know what you are going thru. this is a terrible time for everyone involved. i now know how much justin was loved and im starting to learn of the troubles he faced. the more i learn about him the better i feel. hopefully i can learn more tomorrow at the memorial. hope to see you there gabe…

take care

Westside J. October 15, 2011 (3:55 pm)

How old was Justin?

WSB October 15, 2011 (4:17 pm)

35.

Alki Resident October 15, 2011 (5:22 pm)

Justins last name please?

sam-c October 15, 2011 (8:52 pm)

I am so sorry for the family and friends of this person- prayers for all involved and please rest in peace Justin.

DeAnn October 15, 2011 (10:26 pm)

To Justin’s family and friends: I am deeply sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine how difficult this is for you and I have had you in my thoughts. To Clint: You sound like a kind soul and I pray that you will find peace and comfort in the days ahead.

Westside J. October 16, 2011 (2:31 pm)

Has his name been released yet? I was unable to find anything on the KCME’s site..

WSB October 16, 2011 (2:45 pm)

Westside – it did not turn up on the hotline either, which is somewhat odd, unless there is some hangup with the case. So at this point, anyone who feels they need to know might as well just call. I do not routinely publish suicide victims’ full names unless we hear from family (obituary, etc.), which we have not in this case, though a friend identified him as “Justin” and that was part of the name that Clint said he got when calling the KCME. – TR

clint October 17, 2011 (9:25 am)

this will be my final post here. i just wanted to take the time to thank west seattle blog for following this story. i am saddened that these suicides just go un noticed to the media, and i thank you for giving me a place to talk about this, and heal.

to the family of justin, thank you for inviting me to his memorial. i am grateful to put a face and a family and many many friends who loved him very much, to my situation. it will, in coming months help me cope with what i saw that day and help me move ahead. please take care and dont hesitate to call if you have questions.

and finally, i find it very ironic that only a day or two after justin left us, that the vessel “justin” sank just north of cove park in the puget sound, a place that justin apparently spent most of his time and loved so much..

bye bye for now

Smokey'smom October 17, 2011 (1:58 pm)

To all who were affected by this recent suicide at Cove Park. I work at the terminal and was there shortly after the incident. I was there yesterday as well, witnessing what a profound and loving bunch of people can do to support each other. I was brought to tears several times. Have faith. My mother was a suicide victim. Life, sometimes can be unbearable to them and they see no other solution. I don’t know if this helps, but I have always told myself that this is way she wanted it to be. My heart goes out to you all. May you find peace, wherever it comes from..blessings to all

ao October 17, 2011 (11:04 pm)

Clint, I don’t know you, but you sound like a wonderful person. Thank you for finding and caring about our friend. Justin was an amazing person. We are going to miss him…a lot. I’m sorry about your loss, too. Death is a really hard thing to digest. Thanks again for being so thoughtful.

Grieving October 18, 2011 (1:46 pm)

Justin was a long time friend of mine. We grew up together and hold him close to my heart. I don’t know what would have brought him to do this. If anyone has any information, please pass it on. I am missing my friend and need closure. Thank you

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