West Seattle Crime Watch: Guns-drawn arrests in Morgan Junction

2:24 PM: Thanks to everyone who messaged us about this. The situation in Morgan Junction right now with police taking three people into custody at gunpoint involves a stolen car. That’s all we know so far; whenever a felony is suspected, the procedure for a “felony stop” requires guns to be drawn. More details if/when we get them.

3:12 PM UPDATE: We went down the hill to try to find out more. The owner of the vehicle, a black Mercedes SUV, was already back in it, in the parking area north of Cal-Mor Circle (on California north of Fauntleroy).

ADDED: Police weren’t able to tell us where the car was stolen from, but they say that the owner herself spotted it being driven around in West Seattle, and called 911. The driver was booked into King County Jail; two others from the car were questioned and released.

m April 11, 2015 (2:43 pm)

What was the location?

Kristin April 11, 2015 (2:59 pm)

m – the parking lot of the senior living center located across the street from Beverage Place.

Patrick April 11, 2015 (3:09 pm)

I saw it go down, I was driving south on California and saw the police with their guns drawn and the suspect with his hands up. It was at the morgan junction in the parking lot of that round apartment building.

Michelle April 11, 2015 (5:08 pm)

Can someone please explain to me the felony procedure? I don’t understand the reasoning for automatically having to have guns drawn. I’d appreciate some enlightenment on that matter. Thanks in advance!

Yma April 11, 2015 (5:18 pm)

Cal Mor Circle is not a senior center.

Timing April 11, 2015 (5:35 pm)

Thank you SPD your service and arresting these scum bags of society!

Korm66 April 11, 2015 (5:42 pm)

“High Risk Stop Tactics are not to be taken lightly. You are dealing with potentially dangerous individuals who may be determined to kill you. The suspect may see you as the only thing stopping them from freedom or the rest of their life in prison.
In a High Risk Stop the police officer is facing potentially dangerous individuals. The Suspect(s) also need to know that he/she is facing danger if he/she does not follow the officer’s orders. The officer makes this danger known to the suspect(s) through the use of command presence, immediate direction of firepower and verbal commands.”
http://www.adsecpros.com/articles/Felony%20or%20High%20Risk%20Vehicle%20Stops.pdf

AJ April 11, 2015 (5:44 pm)

The term “felony stop” is a nickname for a “High-risk Traffic Stop”, which is a tactic police use in circumstances involving armed or likely armed suspects.

Eric April 11, 2015 (5:47 pm)

Because that’s the procedure for felony stops. Simple. A felony stop is not the same as pulling someone over for Jay walking.

Michelle April 11, 2015 (5:53 pm)

Thanks to those that answered my question!

Buck April 11, 2015 (8:00 pm)

Keep in mind that law enforcement (as well as anyone with proper gun training) is trained to index their trigger finger. In layman’s terms, when an officer has their gun pointed at somebody, their finger should not be on the trigger until they shoot.