West Seattle, Washington
18 Wednesday
(Added: WSB photos)
7:52 PM: Thanks for the texts about a big police response north of The Junction. We’re just arriving in the area where police have converged, near California/Dakota. We know they’re focused on an apartment building with a possible suspect inside but we don’t yet know why. Updates to come.
7:58 PM: More police vehicles in the northbound lane of California just south of Dakota, and through traffic is having to go through the center lane to get around it. Avoid this area if you can. Police at the scene aren’t saying what the suspect is wanted for.
8:09 PM: From the scanner – the man on whom police are focused is believed to have a gun.
8:18 PM: California/Andover and vicinity is blocked off by police, so if you have to get to/through this area, take the side streets to the west – this is all happening east of California. It does appear from our vantage point, though, that diverted traffic is traveling along 42nd, including a Metro bus.
8:33 PM: We’ve finally been able to obtain information on what started this. “Person in crisis” situation – armed person threatening self-harm, according to Det. Patrick Michaud with the media-relations unit, reached by phone.
9:05 PM: SWAT officers are arriving to assist. The new “mobile precinct” vehicle (photo above) has been in the area for a while, too.
9:43 PM: Officers are in contact with the man now. Awaiting word that he’s in custody. We have a crew at the scene as well and asking them to confirm. All indications from radio traffic is that the situation is now under control. An ambulance is being brought in and police are going in to “clear the residence.”
9:51 PM: Our crew confirms that the man is out of the apartment and this has been resolved peacefully. California is going to stay closed for a while, per scanner, but Andover will be reopened soon.
10:15 PM: Our crew has just talked with a sergeant at the scene. The man was in the apartment by himself all along. California SW is likely to reopen within half an hour – right now they’re waiting for the SWAT officers to pack up and clear out.
ADDED MONDAY MORNING: As a commenter points out, when stories involve suicide or threats of self-harm, we usually include info about the Crisis Clinic, which is always there to help, including a 24-hour hotline at 206-461-3222.
Sara sends this sad sign:
She writes, “Last night someone stole a SECOND Bumble from our yard (North Admiral). This was a replacement Bumble from the one I reported stolen on Dec. 2nd. We strapped this one down pretty good…but some a–holes brought scissors and cut him down.” Seen a Bumble suddenly show up in or near your house/apartment/garage/cave? He has to be somewhere.
The West Seattle High School girls-varsity basketball team remains undefeated after last night’s home-court win over Eastside Catholic, 54-36. Above, Lexi Ioane was a triple threat – steal leader with 8, second-leading rebounder with 7, number-three scorer with 9. Fellow senior Lydia Giomi led those last two categories:
She had 20 points and 17 rebounds on the night. Big night also for Grace Sarver:
She was the second-leading scorer with 10 and second in steals with five.
Head coach Darnell Taylor‘s league-leading team is on the road for the next two games, starting at Cleveland HS on Wednesday, 7:30 pm.
P.S. The WSHS Band was in the house for last night’s game. Check out our quick clip of the tuba solo:
In the background, that’s WSHS music director Ethan Thomas. Also from Instagram, by the way, the final seconds of the JV girls’ victory:
The WSHS JV girls, too, are undefeated.
(UPDATED 3:46 PM with more photos)
12:26 PM: Thanks to Chris Frankovich for the photo – the sailboats are out today for the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Duwamish Head Race. It’s the second of four races in the 2015-2016 Southern Sound Series.
3:46 PM: More photos in – thank you! First, another from Chris:
Two from Trileigh Tucker:
This one’s from Jim Spraker:
Victory at home last night for the Chief Sealth International High School girls-varsity basketball team – 45 to 42 over Seattle Prep. Sealth’s record is 3-6 as the midpoint of the regular season approaches.
Head coach Katie Jo Maris definitely had reason to smile.
Next up, the Seahawks host nearby Shorewood Christian on Monday night (January 11th), 6 pm.
That’s one of the 10 takers the Washington Technology Industry Association had for its version of a post-New Year “Polar Plunge” this morning at Alki Beach. Frosty fog had just lifted at the beach, but was still visible around Duwamish Head:
The water – 50ish – was warmer than the air – 40ish.
This was just one event on a very busy calendar for WTIA – see it here.
(OUR CALENDAR SPONSOR IS MEEPLES GAMES)
Good morning! Our regular event calendar will be back when this weekend’s technical overhaul is done. In the meantime, here’s our list of what’s happening today and tonight:
REMINDER – PILE-DRIVING AT THE PORT: As reported on Thursday, the Port of Seattle plans to start pile-driving work today at West Seattle’s Terminal 5 as part of this “testing” announced before Christmas, preparing for its modernization project – “about 27 piles … at the edge of the Terminal 5 wharf.” Today’s work is scheduled between 9 am and 5 pm.
POLAR PLUNGE: 9:30 am near the Alki Statue of Liberty, the Washington Technology Industry Association is presenting a Polar Plunge. They’re inviting “WTIA members, non-members, friends, and family 18 and up.” RSVP via the link toward the bottom of this page. (61st SW & SW Alki)
TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon at K-5 Tilden School (WSB sponsor): “We invite interested parents to a casual open house; chat with teachers and specialists, visit classrooms, and ask questions.” (4105 California SW)
NW MONTESSORI OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon open house for prospective parents at Northwest Montessori, which serves 2 1/2-6 year-olds. (7344 35th SW)
LONGHOUSE ANNIVERSARY 10 am-5 pm at Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center:
Open house, concert, and reception. Celebrate the heritage of Greater Seattle’s First People, Chief Seattle’s Duwamish Tribe. Open house, 10-5, visit exhibit areas and art gallery. Festivities include: 11 am Film — Princess Angeline, 12 pm Film — Chief Seattle’s Speech. 1-2 pm Artist Reception — Katrina Lane: Unique Native Vision. 2 pm Concert — Stories by Roger Fernandes. Duwamish Heritage Group will invite friends to join in song and dance.
This marks “the 7th Anniversary of the building of the first Duwamish Longhouse since the last one was burned down in West Seattle in 1894 to push the Duwamish off their land. In 1851, there were over 90 Duwamish Longhouses. Opened in 2009, the Longhouse is a traditional cedar post and beam structure designed in the Puget Salish Longhouse style. It houses a Native Art Gallery, Duwamish History Museum, Gift Shop, Duwamish Tribal Offices, and traditional Longhouse. Admission and parking are free, donations to support the longhouse’s ongoing operation are always welcome.
(4705 W. Marginal Way)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: The West Seattle HS boys-varsity team hosts Stadium HS at 6:30 pm. (3000 California SW)
MUSIC AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: Starting at 9 pm:
Cross Rhythm Trio featuring Ben Bloom, Jason Gray and Grant Schroff of Seattle’s afro-psycho-beat band Polyrhthmics. No cover.
(4210 SW Admiral Way)
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