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Update: North Delridge search after gunfire; no one hurt

September 10, 2012 4:30 pm
|      44 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

4:30 PM: Police are investigating a report of two cars with people inside shooting at each other in the 26th and Hudson vicinity, according to Det. Renée Witt. Still working on more details. So far no report of anyone being hit/hurt. A search is under way. We’ve asked police for detailed descriptions; so far, via the scanner, we have one car described as a white Taurus/Monte Carlo type of car.

4:38 PM UPDATE: Roads are blocked in the area while police search.

4:47 PM UPDATE: WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand reports from the scene that police are checking on a red Cadillac near 26th and Hudson with a bullet hole through the windshield. They told him they believe it to be one of the cars that was involved. (Photos added)

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44 Replies to "Update: North Delridge search after gunfire; no one hurt"

  • curious September 10, 2012 (4:33 pm)

    quite a few police cars (4-5?) went screaming north on Delridge about 5 minutes ago. maybe chasing a suspect? (oh, this was nroth of the mentioned area, like at Andover- and they were headed north)

    • WSB September 10, 2012 (4:43 pm)

      No suspect that we are hearing … yet … but definitely they have flooded the area to search.

  • ~~HockeyWitch~~ September 10, 2012 (4:44 pm)

    I was just driving home from work on Delridge, was almost to the school when the first police car went whizin by… barely got pulled back out into traffic when the 2nd and 3rd came by… was about to pull out again, but saw 4 5 and 6 coming so I just stayed put. Glad I got passed where they were heading when I did.. DANG!! Learn to settle your arguments with words not guns!!!

  • bsmomma September 10, 2012 (4:45 pm)

    Is the Community Center locked down? I have been trying to call and cannot get through!! Freaking out as my daughter is there and would have been getting off her bus right about that time!!!

    • WSB September 10, 2012 (4:53 pm)

      BS, Patrick had to park quite a ways away and will walk over there and ask. Again, NO ONE IS REPORTED INJURED.

  • evergreen September 10, 2012 (4:46 pm)

    Where is 26th and Hudson? Is that near my child’s school, K-5 STEM? Thanks.

    • WSB September 10, 2012 (4:52 pm)

      It’s a ways north. 4700 block roughly. Boren building is 5900 block.

  • evergreen September 10, 2012 (4:57 pm)

    WSB, how many of these shootings have happened this year near or on Delridge? I remember there was another shooting this past summer.

  • Kayo September 10, 2012 (4:57 pm)

    This is in front of my house. Can I get home? I am so upset. There is a school bus stop right there. I have had it with the gun violence in this city.

    • WSB September 10, 2012 (5:07 pm)

      I have to look up the archives. There’s probably been more non-injury gunfire on Alki than Delridge, in terms of things I recall – we even had gunfire right outside our house on Upper Fauntleroy (thought it was fireworks but the neighbor later found a bullet hole in a road sign) a couple weeks ago. Kayo – Patrick said the roads were reopening. Bsmomma – P checked in with the convention center and they hadn’t even heard about it till they did get a phone call from somebody a short time ago. As far as we know, police believe the other vehicle has left the area. Not sure yet if the “two cars exchanging gunfire” is still the theory – that was the initial call, though, per Det. Witt – later SPD tweets have focused more on gunfire from the white car that was being sought. – TR

  • Delridge Denizen September 10, 2012 (5:05 pm)

    I live on 26th, 6 or so houses north of Hudson and saw the white car whiz by after hearing 5 or so shots (my husband says 3, I say 5). Luckily no one is hurt but seems crime is on the rise in this area.

  • patrick September 10, 2012 (5:07 pm)

    This happened 3 houses south of me and I heard nothing but have seen police canvassing the road North to South for the last 15 mins, this crap has to stop, I am sick of wondering if I am going to encounter some random violence when I leave my house. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!

  • WSratsinacage September 10, 2012 (5:07 pm)

    Medina or Clyde Hill, here I come :)

  • puglover45 September 10, 2012 (5:46 pm)

    within the last month I’ve had two people tell me “you need to mind your own business, that’s how people get shot”
    I asked the first idiot how he can leave his dog in the car on an 85 degree day,
    The second moron told the friendly cashier at 7-11 he was going to ‘knock him out’ so I told him to get out of there. Take back your city people!!

  • mike September 10, 2012 (5:48 pm)

    Wsratsonacage, those hoods have worse crime. The difference is they can afford better lawyers.

  • DirtyCoyote September 10, 2012 (5:49 pm)

    Summer isn’t over yet…)

  • bsmomma September 10, 2012 (6:06 pm)

    Kayo- I was wondering if this was right by your house?! Delridge CC knew nothing about this……… Kind if ticks me off. Why weren’t they notified? They have kids all over there. Thankfully everyone was OK.

  • Bang bang September 10, 2012 (6:11 pm)

    These things happened before we just didn’t hear as much as fast about them. It’s unsettling for sure but we hear about them more too.

  • wes sea September 10, 2012 (6:18 pm)

    why do much gun play i think i know who did this

  • patrick September 10, 2012 (6:19 pm)

    @ BS and Kayo, this happened 3 houses south of me, I am in the 4700 block of 26th, like I stated earlier, I heard nothing but after talking to Police I have seen the suspected car multiple times this summer and most recently, TWICE juts this past week and I relayed this info to the police on scene

  • Krm66 September 10, 2012 (7:33 pm)

    Wes sea- if you think you know who did this, you should be telling the police instead of commenting on the blog.

  • wierried September 10, 2012 (7:56 pm)

    I called in a tip to spd today on a “friend” because, well, just because we are gun owners, doesn’t mean we can pop shells off at people. I am sad about the people amoung us who aren’t willing to work together.

  • Kayo September 10, 2012 (8:01 pm)

    Kids had just gotten off the bus and were walking home when this happened, including a mom with a young infant. The two guys were fighting over tire rims. Seriously? They could’ve killed someone. There are truly some idiots out there. I hope they both get jail time!

  • Holli September 10, 2012 (8:17 pm)

    I heard 4 shots at around 4:16pm when giving my kids a snack before heading to Karate Class. I saw the police cars an ambulance drive north past Hudson and assumed the shots I heard were farther north than me (on Delridge, near Hudson).

    How can we as concerned citizens work to eliminate gangs/gun violence/violence and foster a healthier community? I don’t have the answers, but I hope that we keep the dialog going and foster a community where we do not let behaviors like this fester.

  • Xavier September 10, 2012 (8:21 pm)

    A guy was just robbed last week (while washing his car!)at gun point near 26th and Brandon too. This area is infested! I was at the community center when all the commotion was going on today and there were loads of kids there despite the rain, over a hundred on the soccer field alone!

  • SageK September 10, 2012 (8:33 pm)

    The violence here seems to come in waves. A few years of quiet and then something/one moves in.

    I think the main problem with Delridge is that it’s the major arterial from White Center to the freeway so a lot of issues drift north.

    I know that lately there has been a problem ever since a bad group of young men moved into an apartment building in the 5600 block Delridge. I’ve noticed an increase of issues with the same people involved and have called the police several times. Unfortunately unless they are caught in the act not much will happen.

    Right now it seems that the only thing I and my neighbors can do is be aware, keep a log and call the police.

    I find the easiest way to do this is to just take pictures since they are time and date stamped. I also write down license plate numbers. I encourage you all to do the same and to call in all suspicious activity.

  • lk September 10, 2012 (9:52 pm)

    SageK: I’ve wondered the same thing — have noticed a recent uptick in loitering about, etc. at the apt building you mentioned. The vibe of it isn’t a friendly, guys hanging out and enjoying each others’ company sort of thing. It always seems a pretty tense and postured. We live a few blocks away, so I don’t see what happens directly on Delridge, and coincidence isn’t causation, but I agree that the recent rash of disturbing incidents overlaps with what appears to be a new tenants in that building. Maybe it is time to get the landlord involved?

  • homesweethome September 10, 2012 (9:54 pm)

    Why is it that every time there is a shooting anywhere in West Seattle, White Center has to be drug into the conversation?

  • Dick September 10, 2012 (11:48 pm)

    Because WS is in denial. I live in the WC. I used to tell people that I lived in West Seattle when they asked where I live. Now, I proudly tell them, “I live in White Center”, because W Seattle has gotten do dangerous.

  • sagek September 10, 2012 (11:49 pm)

    lk –

    I would love if the landlord got involved. But it seems like the landlord is a slum lord and doesn’t care who lives there as long as rent is paid.

    There has definitely been an uptick in loitering. I live right on Delridge and they often hang out around the bus stop for an hour or so, posturing, swearing at each other and people in cars. It is a very unfriendly vibe.

    All I can do is keep an eye on them when I see them and call the police if anything gets out of hand. I hope if enough people do the same that they will move on.

    Homesweethome – Perhaps it’s not fair to mention White Center, but in the past the cause of this same type of violence has been gang stuff drifting down from White Center, etc.

    Maybe not in this case but there does seem to be a correlation from gang issues in the south periodically moving north in Delridge.

  • bsmomma September 11, 2012 (8:11 am)

    Seriously, who cares WHERE it’s happening. We are all neighbors and it’s happening. Right by a community center….right by a school…..right in front of someones home with kids all around! Enough with the “this neighborhood” vs “that neighborhood”!

  • Holli September 11, 2012 (9:51 am)

    @bsmomma: AMEN!

    Thank you, @sagek, for taking notes and calling the police. This is all we can really do.

  • WSratsinacage September 11, 2012 (10:58 am)

    Really mike? Not saying I disagree but you just don’t hear about murders, gangs, assaults, arson, gun fights in Medina and Clyde Hill, whereas, it is every day thing in West Seattle/Seattle. I think it’s reasonable to want to raise a family/live in a safe neighborhood, pretentious or not. I thought that’s what West Seattle was 15 years ago.. seems to just be getting worse. WS sux IMO. I wish I would have sold my house in 2007 at the height of the market and gotten the f out.

  • Kellyl September 11, 2012 (5:56 pm)

    I live on this street, and am concerned w/ 2 incidents w/in a week of each other. A lot of drug dealing seems to be happening in Greg Davis park at the end of this block. The policeman at the incident told me the best action is to call in constantly w/ ANYTHING suspicious. Even if we’re wrong, they take action by noting the phone calls. I usually call, but w/ the gunshots a few of us wondered if it was just firecrackers or backfiring, and forgot about it moments later. Wrong move. So we need to start making a lot more phone calls & take back our streets (& parks).We’re organizing a meeting w/ the police & block watch now…

  • Neighborhoodism Yuck September 11, 2012 (7:43 pm)

    The point made by Dick and homesweethome is well taken. Thank you for making your voices heard.
    –
    It does get very tiresome how many people want to shift blame to White Center. That is a valid point and should not be so quickly shrugged off.
    –
    While things are improving the problems that exist should not be assumed to come from outside the area.
    –
    Glad no one was hurt. More power to you Kellyl for starting a Block Watch. Neighbors who know each other empower a community.

  • DelridgeResident September 11, 2012 (8:53 pm)

    I have seen a lot of people “taking back our streets.” I went running last night, a loop on Delridge and 26th and a large amount of people were out and about despite the shooting yesterday. I think this is definitely the way to go. It is harder for those committing these crimes to continue if we are all out and taking note of those who aren’t doing what they should be.

  • Eric September 12, 2012 (6:12 am)

    Is there an update to what happened with the person the police spoke to? Or if they spoke to anyone tied to the Cadillac?

  • David September 12, 2012 (11:34 am)

    Haven’t heard an update on the Caddy…but that car is usually parked right on Brandon and 26th Street. I’ve walked
    by that car many times taking the dog out.

    It’s hasn’t been there since the incident though. I figure it’s in the shop or something along those lines.

  • God September 12, 2012 (12:36 pm)

    Things are only gonna get crazier people until we admit what we have created for ourselves

  • MB September 12, 2012 (1:19 pm)

    The red car was towed, so probably evidence (I have no idea how long they would keep your car if it was involved in such an incident), plus it appears that it is now in need of repair, so that’s likely why you haven’t seen it, David. And the guy driving it was allowed to leave with someone that picked him up, so whatever went down, he wasn’t held by police (at least that is what a relative of mine saw who lives just outside the frame of the bottom photo).

    Also, this is RIGHT by the loud house that has recently been complained about in the forums. Loud partying all night long, scary looking rental, scary dogs, no one ever seems to be home during daylight, etc. So, NOT to say the two are related, BUT some of you clearly live nearby and must be hearing these parties as well and we’d love it if others could join in on calling in noise complaints when it happens…strength in numbers, neighbors!

    I don’t live there anymore, but I grew up in the house just outside the frame of the photo and go down there almost daily. The area that Gregg Davis park is in has always been a problem. It was nasty sticker bushes when I was little and there were always weirdos hanging around. It is so lovely now that it is a park and is well kept. The problem is that there are often sketchy people hanging around, similar to what was described above by sagek. I tend to be the type of girl who tries not to be deterred by that stuff…it’s my effing neighborhood, I’ve lived here my entire life and I won’t be scared to go to the park because low lifes have nothing better to do then sit there during the day. BUT, I can totally see why others, especially those with children don’t get as much use out of this park as they should. It makes me really sad. I go both ways with the Delridge area…it was pretty awful when I was little and has seen such great improvement in recent years, only to continue to have incidents like this from time to time that get everyone right back on the ‘Delridge is scary’ train. It really ticks me off. I don’t know what the answer is, but my family isn’t going anywhere and we DO call the police and will continue to do so whenever we feel the need. Though, it would be most helpful if the cops would actually show up BEFORE a gun is involved. If a neighbor had called in an argument about rims, no one would have come. It’s not until shots are fired that anyone is available and I think that is a HUGE part of the problem. That’s not to blame police for the actions of others either, but it’s hard for us as residents to work with them, if they don’t work with us!

  • WTF September 12, 2012 (2:39 pm)

    The saga continues!
    These PsOS aren’t going away any time soon and not without a collective-soul working together to make it very uncomfortable for them to live and “visit” OUR neighborhoods. 
    Lead by example! Be VISIBLE. Don’t just come home and hide! Stand in your yard, grab a lawn chair some Sunday morning and people watch with interest not authority, walk around your block regularly, participate in the park at the end of your street, socialize with people walking by, talk to your mailman, talk to your neighbors, care for your yard. Make it known by sight that your neighborhood has too many people out & about = many eyes & ears! 
    Can you imagine living on a street where people were outside their homes, saying hello to each other, adults talking to kids (that would be the leading by example part), taking pride in their homes, and making sure their home and ‘hood are where people care, yet intolerant to crime and violence!?
    It takes persistence, patience, and dogged determination to change your environment. I’ve done it and it works! It made a difference; even the most retreated neighbor is now a friend!
    Remember, only the strong survive…

  • David September 12, 2012 (3:53 pm)

    WTF…do you live in that area? 26th, 25th and Brandon and around there? The vast majority of people there do just that. Walking their dogs, kids, etc. Going to that park and playing ball or catch with kids or dogs. Lots of activity there with the neighbors. We know almost all of our neighbors on our block and the surrounding blocks for the most part. At least enough that they know we live there.

    My point is..that particular neighborhood is in the majority of wanting that area crime free.

    Not much you can do when someone that doesn’t live there cruises by an area where you rarely see any patrol cars and has plenty of good getaway routs.

    We have called the cops several times about the obvious gang members loitering on 26th right by the playground and using the trails to hang out and smoke/drink. Not much seems to happen though.

  • 25th & Brandon September 14, 2012 (12:54 pm)

    Davis is spot on. My family and I live on 25th and Brandon and, over the course of time, have met almost everyone up and down 25th and 26th.

    It’s by far, the most friendly, community-focused neighborhoods I’ve ever lived in. It’s also one of the few places in Seattle where you’ll find a ton of kids freely playing outside.

    For whatever reason, it seems like every 4 or 5 years some idiot (typically a gangsta wanna-be) moves in somewhere nearby, there’s a little spike in suspicious activity for a month or two, and then it’s back to normal.

    While reports like this are definitely not what I like to read, I love the friends we met throughout this diverse neighborhood and won’t let a couple morons push us out.

    Light is stronger than darkness. Stay good people.

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