Update: Brief police standoff ends at Luna/Anchor Park

7:33 AM: Developing story on Harbor/Alki – someone described by police as “suicidal and armed with a gun” is in a standoff with them just north of Don Armeni and at least part of Alki/Harbor is blocked off. SPD spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson says negotiators are on the way as is SWAT. We will have reports from the scene shortly but needless to say, avoid the area. Det. Jamieson says nobody has been hurt so far.

7:39 AM UPDATE: Multiple reports narrow the area down to Luna/Anchor Park. Buses are being turned around.

7:53 AM UPDATE: Traffic is being allowed through the area again, according to our crew at the scene – the person apparently followed through with his threat, according to a witness who lives across the street. A photo she sent shows a yellow tarp where the person had been standing on the northwest corner of the Luna/Anchor Park pier. (She also sent the photo shown atop this story.)

If you or someone you know is thinking of or threatening self-harm, the 24-hour Crisis Clinic hotline for King County is 206-461-3222.

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
All this had unfolded over the course of less than an hour – police first got the call just after 7 am, Det. Jamieson had told us during our original call.

ADDED 9:46 AM: There’s no information beyond what we have already reported, but for those interested, here is the official police summary on SPD Blotter.

ADDED EARLY SATURDAY: David DeSiga shared this photo from sunset Friday at the spot where this all happened:

Alki Resident April 6, 2012 (7:47 am)

Is he in the park or a house?Praying for a good ending on this one.

WSB April 6, 2012 (7:48 am)

Police didn’t know when we called but a woman across the way has been sending photos – it was definitely Luna/Anchor Park pier. And it may be resolved now – though she says, not for the better.

Aman April 6, 2012 (7:51 am)

Do you have a (Google)map coordinate for the location of Luna/Anchor park? THANKS!

JeC April 6, 2012 (7:51 am)

So, by not for the better… that means what?

RSSMPS April 6, 2012 (7:51 am)

“Cancel SWAT…suspect down”

Maggie April 6, 2012 (7:56 am)

I noticed all the police cars with flashing lights along the waterfront when my Vashon water taxi went by just before 7:30am. Sad to subsequently find out what was happening. Rest in peace.

Steph in WS April 6, 2012 (7:56 am)

sad, very sad.

Cclarue April 6, 2012 (7:59 am)

Sad. Prayers to their loved ones.

cjl April 6, 2012 (8:03 am)

OMG, sad. But also awful and tragic for the cop that had to witness it.

montanapup April 6, 2012 (8:05 am)

RIP

Alki Resident April 6, 2012 (8:09 am)

Devastating,Im so sad.Will you know if it was a local resident?I wish people could seek a friend in these times.

WSB April 6, 2012 (8:26 am)

Alki Resident – in many past cases of suicides that we reported because they happened in a public place, people who knew the victim have found their way to the stories’ comment sections. Always heartbreaking. In terms of formal ID, it likely won’t be released by the Medical Examiner before Monday, on their hotline recording of cases they’ve investigated, and the information doesn’t usually get more specific than age, name, city where the person died, and cause of death. Sometimes that confirms who the victim was, and sometimes not; with suicide at an epidemic rate, some days if you listen to that recording, there is more than one person whose life ended this way. – TR

Michelle April 6, 2012 (8:13 am)

I saw the whole thing, its a very sad and tragic way to die. I am sending prayers to his loved ones, and the police officers who did their best to stop him from shooting himself.

sassy April 6, 2012 (8:26 am)

oh no, that makes me very sad. RIP.

kate April 6, 2012 (10:03 am)

Too much death in our neighborhood these days…

Alki Resident April 6, 2012 (10:24 am)

Im praying for all the witnesses to this and the response team who tried their best to resolve this peacefully but couldn’t,I hope they never take this personally.The guy had his mind made up unfortunately.What a way to start everyones day.RIP

sad on alki April 6, 2012 (10:38 am)

So so so sad. I hope the man found peace, RIP. I’m sad for everyone in this circumstance. I’m praying for this man’s family and friends, and the witnesses who were traumatized.

4thGenWestSide April 6, 2012 (10:40 am)

Today, not tomorrow, reach out to someone who you know in your heart needs your emotional support. We all know someone who is in their own crisis. It’s much easier to think good thoughts than to relay them to the one who needs it. A few words can make a big difference. I know from experience.

higgins April 6, 2012 (1:25 pm)

Is this in any way related to an incident I saw in the Luna Park Cafe parking lot this morning around 6am? There were several police cars with flashing lights and officers standing over someone on the ground.

Venice April 6, 2012 (3:42 pm)

The smallest gesture of kindness, daily can go a long way.
July is suicide awareness month at the Windermere 2nd Thursday Artwalk.

Karen (Old Desolate) April 6, 2012 (4:01 pm)

This is a tragedy no matter how you look at it. Sadly, not everyone has a “friend” they can turn to in times of trouble/need. Some folks learn the hard way (not all, thankfully!) that when you DO turn to a friend they sometimes turn away because they can’t carry the burden (sadly, sometimes “need” can feel like a “burden” to another). Years ago when I was in crisis I tried to call a crisis clinic several times …. and got the busy signal.

West Seattle Codger April 6, 2012 (7:04 pm)

A very sad outcome. I hope the family of this person can find their way through the grief they will carry. My heart also goes out to the first responders who witnessed this. My own crisis was years ago and my hotline put me on hold. I got help and survived, not an easy task. This poor person may not have had the support system that saw me through. Mental health issues are too often swept under the rug and the silence betrays all those who struggle and those who do so much to help.

RIP

brin April 6, 2012 (7:10 pm)

As John Donne said in his poem ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’: Each man’s death diminishes me for I am involved in mankind.

And thank you, Tracy, for again providing a link to the 24 Hour Crisis Clinic hotline. And for again reminding us that each of us are ‘a part of the main’, and to ask not for whom the bell tolls.

I am saddened and diminished by this man’s death. I can only imagine the pain he was going through.

M54 April 6, 2012 (8:08 pm)

When someone you love does this, it is a life sentence for you. You spend the rest of your life asking questions that cannot be answered. Please, please get help if you are in this situation.

DM April 6, 2012 (11:03 pm)

It’s so sad to hear when someone runs out of hope and they can’t find a reason to continue living. My heart goes out to his family and friends, and the officers who did their best and had to witness…To anyone in a state of despair or depression who may be reading this: PLEASE call a help line. It’s really easy to feel despair and isolation in a large community. You’re not alone.

Josie J April 6, 2012 (11:32 pm)

I think when a tragedy like this happens it is important to know the persons name and their story. That way you make a connection, you become aware and perhaps notice when something is not right with your family member or a friend. You’ll think about the person who felt that suicide was their only option. You’ll think about how their loved ones are left wondering if only I had noticed or had not been afraid to bring up the concerns about their behavior.My heart goes out to his family and friends.

blessedmama April 7, 2012 (3:03 pm)

@ 4thGenWestSide – I had to copy and share your comment, it really made me stop and think…we don’t always have “tomorrow”. Because of you I am going to call my sister today, she is going through a really rough time. Because of distance we don’t talk all that much, life gets busy. But I’m not going to wait until tomorrow.

I too am saddened by this poor man taking his life, I can’t imagine the loneliness and hopelessness that he must have felt. Rest in peace…

RenaissaceRed April 8, 2012 (9:39 am)

we need to open our eyes and our hearts to people around us everyday. Smile at the person in the grocery store, help someone when you see them struggling, be aware that there are others around you…take your eyes off the iPhone or put down your cell phone, make eye contact, get to know your neighbors’ names, greet people…you never know what new friend you could make.

A lot of people have heavy burdens to carry, sometimes the load is lighter when someone reaches out to help.

a loved one..... April 8, 2012 (2:39 pm)

He was so loved, even in his death there is love felt by strangers. Thank you! Thank you to whomever left the flowers and cross, this brings comfort to someone who loved him beyond measure. David, thank you for the finale picture, as painful as it is, it also gives me a level of comfort that I desperately need, thank you for this!!!!
xoxoxo

gatewooder April 8, 2012 (8:59 pm)

Sad to say, I knew this person, and he was a really good guy who had been suffering for many years from depression, and couldn’t get past it. He was not a resident of WS, but must have come here because he wanted to end his life in a beautiful place. I will always will think of him when I pass that spot now.

another loved one April 9, 2012 (1:17 pm)

From another one of this mans family, thank you to who ever left the flowers, and for all of your kind words and wishes for him and his family. We appreciate the love and wish our dear family member peace. He was loved by many!

close friend April 10, 2012 (11:03 am)

This is sad and did not need to happen. He was loved by many. Life is a gift that we should cherish not taken for granted. As a close friend of the family my thoughts and prayers go out to them. The pain and sorrow the last few days has been devastating. PLEASE anyone thinking of doing this – STOP and get help. It sounds like the easy way out but you forget about the loved ones you leave behind.

a friend April 11, 2012 (10:38 pm)

He was a good person, and loved to laugh. He had horrible taste in clothing, and wonderful taste in music. I will miss him.

alkiwendy April 12, 2012 (5:14 pm)

Thank you for a little insight into his personality. I live across the street from the park, and think about him, his family, and friends every time I look outside. Please find comfort in knowing that the Police assured him that he was loved, and that people cared about him. I cared about him. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

He lives with me April 14, 2012 (8:15 pm)

I never knew him, but I think of him every day. I watched the entire event and can still feel his pain. He was a good man. I can see he was loved and wish that was enough.

#5 April 16, 2012 (8:26 pm)

RIP my dear little brother! You were loved soo much <3 <3 <3, and we all wish that there was something we could do to bring you back before it got to this.
To all that have expressed their sympathy, & prayers, thank you very much. I believe and hope he feels this in heaven, where he is now with dad, as does our mom, still here.

Jackie Winter April 23, 2012 (8:03 pm)

I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. While your brother was in the park, I was on the phone with my sister Wendy. She witnessed the compassion and concern of the police while they tried to help him.Those who watched breathlessly hoping for a positive outcome have been forever changed. My sister and I along with some of the women in her cond brought one of the lilies to the park and said a few words to him. I can’t tell you how often we think of him . If you feel okay about it , could you tell us more about the person he was. Even though we did not know him , we grieve for him too.

Close friend April 24, 2012 (11:47 am)

All of the comments have brought me some peace. I am so glad that the people who live around this area of Seattle have compassion and concern. He was a wonderful young man. He embraced all the world and every outdoor adventure you could present to him, even moving to Seattle for a great job from his hometown Chicago. He had many friends, a caring, loving and supportive family and a great heart. I don’t think a day will ever go by that I won’t think of my dear friend. Right now the idea of visiting Seattle seems unreal to me, but someday my family and I will have the courage to visit this place. He loved beautiful sunrises and sunsets and he loved the water, especially his own Lake Michigan, so I can see why this spot was chosen, and I hope he had peace. I only wish I could have been there to tell him to come home.

Sorry, comment time is over.