HELICOPTER UPDATE: Hour-long Highland Park situation ends with man in custody

(UPDATED midday Friday with police-report narrative)

11:20 PM: Advance alert that you might be hearing the Guardian One helicopter in Highland Park – police have been searching for a man who might have a gun, in the 8100 block of 11th SW. No injuries reported but a caller had reported a possible shot fired outside a house.

11:41 PM: As discussed in comments, the helicopter is still in the area. Per scanner, the possible shot was not confirmed, but the person who was the subject of the 911 call was reported to have a gun. Police have been tracking one person from the air; it’s not clear what’s happening on the ground.

12:19 AM: In case you haven’t seen this in comment discussion – police have made contact with the man and the situation is declared to be “under control.” Sounds like they are calling Seattle Fire to come check him out for possibly being under the influence of something.

12:25 AM: It also is reported that the person who is in custody – as noted in comments, not necessarily arrested, that depends on whether police believe a crime was committed – was armed. We will follow up later this morning to see what the investigation determines.

1 AM: Guardian One’s wrapup tweet:

7:36 AM: The King County Jail register shows the 33-year-old man was booked for investigation of unlawful gun possession as well as for a Department of Corrections warrant related to an assault charge. Court records show he was declared ineligible for gun possession because of a domestic-violence assault conviction last fall. In that case, he was sentenced to time served in jail – 84 days – with an additional 364 days suspended. We’ll follow up to see what happens from here.

ADDED 11:12 AM: Here’s the police report narrative, which has a few more details about how this played out and what was found at the end, including a casing in the back yard of the original location, which is described as where the suspect lives. (Note: “C” stands for “complainant”; “S” is usually suspect but we also note one case in which it means subject – someone who was not a suspect, nor victim, nor complainant:

On 1-7-2016 I was working uniformed patrol as 3F33 in a marked patrol vehicle. At 2303 hours I was dispatched to a report of a shots fired at 81XX 11 Av SW. I arrived and made contact with C/XXXXXX who stated that his friend S/XXXXX who resides in a back room in his residence may have fired a gun in the back yard.

C/XXXXXX stated that he did not see S/XXXXX fire a gun he only heard the gun being fired. C/XXXXXX stated that he attempted to talk to S/XXXXX but he ran away from him across the street. He stated that S/XXXXX was mumbling something but it was unclear what he was saying. C/XXXXXX stated that he lost sight of S/XXXXX when he ran across the street.

C/XXXXXX stated that S/XXXXX then returned to the residence and that was when he observed S/XXXXX carrying a gun in his left hand. C/XXXXXX stated that was when S/XXXXX exited the residence and that was when he called 911.

When officers arrived we observed S/XXXXX walking from the rear of the residence. Officers yelled at S/XXXXX to try to get his attention, but he did not acknowledge us and walked away NB on 11 Av Sw. S/XXXXX continued to walk down the street and he went to several homes on 12 Av Sw. Officer continued to try and make contact with him, but he would not comply with any of the commands that were given. KC Guardian 1 monitored the suspect from the air and they were informing officers on the ground with updates and location of the suspect’s whereabouts. S/XXXXX was observed by Guardian 1 running NB down 12 Av SW with two dogs that were not on a leash. It was unsure what the suspect was doing with the two dogs.

Guardian 1 informed us that the suspect was walking to 79XX 12 Av SW and he was knocking on the door. They stated that the homeowner confronted the suspect through the door he stated that he was afraid that the suspect would break his glass door. The homeowner was advised to stay in his residence due to the fact that S/XXXXX may be armed with a firearm. While S/XXXXX was in the 7900 block of 12 Av SW the two dogs that were with S/XXXXX attempted to have sex or attack a dog that was walking with his owner, S/XXXX. S/ XXXX never made contact with S/XXXXX.

S/ XXXX stated that he was able to separate the dogs from fighting by kicking one of them. He stated that he was later contacted by Ofc. Heric # 7528 informed him of the incident that was going on in the area and was advised to avoid the area.

Guardian 1 stated that the suspect was just standing in front of the address knocking on the door. We were later informed that S/XXXXX was walking WB with the two dogs and we later discovered that he was actually walking EB towards 11 Av SW and SW Elmgrove where we were holding containment south of the complainant’s address.

S/XXXXX walked EB on SW Elmgrove until about mid-block and then we believed that he was behind a bush or a tree mid-block on SW Elmgrove because he was not seen by officers anymore. All of the officers at 11 Av SW and SW Elmgrove took cover and concealment while Ofc. Chang #4617 continued to give him commands to come to the intersection to talk with him.

S/XXXXX came back into view and he crossed the street and he continued walking EB towards officers on 11 Av SW and SW Elmgrove St. S/XXXXX was ordered to get on the ground, but he did not comply when officers were telling him to get on the ground. Approximately 2-3 minutes of giving S/XXXXX commands to get on the ground he finally complied and got on the ground.

S/XXXXX was taken into custody. During a search for weapons a Taurus 9mm firearm was recovered along with .40 and .380 caliber ammo. After observation of S/XXXXX it appeared that he was under the influence of narcotics. A glass pipe did fall from S/XXXXX’s hand when he was attempting to go ground,but it was undetermined what the pipe was used for or what was inside of the pipe.

SFD E #11 responded to the scene to treat S/XXXXX. There was some blood located on S/XXXXX’s clothing, but SFD performed a body search and it was determined that blood was not from S/XXXXX, but was probably from one of the dogs that were involved in a dog fight on 12 Av SW with S/ XXXX dog.

S/XXXXX was transported to HMC by AMR. Ofc. Hancock # 7653 rode in the back of the AMR with the suspect. After searching the residence of where the shot was said to the fired we located a .9mm casing that had been fired. S/XXXXX is a convicted felon and it is illegal for him to have a firearm. After S/XXXXX was evaluated and released from HMC he was booked into KCJ for Inv. Of VUFA and the D.O.C felony warrant. I would also like to request charges for 12 A.14.071 aiming or discharging a firearm. Sgt. Trinh #5433 screened the arrest.

76 Replies to "HELICOPTER UPDATE: Hour-long Highland Park situation ends with man in custody"

  • HP REZ January 7, 2016 (11:23 pm)

    I did hear what sounded like a gun shot around 11-ish, or a little before . . .

  • Meg January 7, 2016 (11:23 pm)

    Yep, helicopter is right above house.

  • One8&Kenyon January 7, 2016 (11:25 pm)

    I

  • jse January 7, 2016 (11:25 pm)

    Thank you! I was just hearing it and wondering. A little unsettling, right overhead.

  • Keepin head down in highland park January 7, 2016 (11:26 pm)

    I looked here the moment I heard the chopper and you’ve come through once again, thank you.

  • Rockhills January 7, 2016 (11:27 pm)

    Wow, are you on the ball! Just started hearing Guardian One, checked the Seattle 911 website and then yours, and you have the information!

  • Michelle January 7, 2016 (11:28 pm)

    Thanks for the update! I hope they find the person soon.

  • Westseattledood January 7, 2016 (11:28 pm)

    Yah, no sleeping through that.

    No descriptions?
    HPRez – you called and reported it, I hope.

  • Jason January 7, 2016 (11:29 pm)

    May have just heard several gunshots. Can hear sirens and the helicopter.

  • RCeline January 7, 2016 (11:29 pm)

    Thanks for the heads up. Was lying in bed wondering about the racket. Sounds like we’re being invaded over here.

  • AnotherNerd January 7, 2016 (11:31 pm)

    You are on it! Was wondering what was keeping me awake, then it dawned on me that it was persistent helicopter noise. Thanks for letting us know

  • Sally January 7, 2016 (11:32 pm)

    Thank you for posting this information so quickly.

  • Alan January 7, 2016 (11:33 pm)

    Man, this is all my fault. A month or so ago I told someone to stop suggesting that crime was worse over in our part of West Seattle. Since then it seems like there has been one gun incident after another.

    It’s hard to understand how suddenly everyone could decide it is OK to open fire. It is even a bigger concern that nobody seems to be getting arrested for it.

  • Westseattledood January 7, 2016 (11:34 pm)

    If you are hearing stuff, call 911 Jason.

  • Kay K January 7, 2016 (11:35 pm)

    Sure is close overhead. Wonder what happened.

  • Jason January 7, 2016 (11:36 pm)

    Any updates?

  • Heather January 7, 2016 (11:37 pm)

    20th and Elmgrove helicopter hovering

    • WSB January 7, 2016 (11:41 pm)

      Mike, no, this hasn’t been anywhere near 17th. 11th and 12th are the streets I’ve heard mentioned. They seem to have a specific person in view but I don’t know if they are contacting the person on the ground or just tracking from the air … hoping to hear a peaceful resolution soon.

  • Alan January 7, 2016 (11:38 pm)

    Looking out just now, it looks like they are more in the area of 16th, going south and coming back up towards Holden.

  • Mike January 7, 2016 (11:38 pm)

    I saw a response to a guy in a parked car on 17th. Ambulance pulled the person out and drove off after a search. Any relation to this incident?

  • Westseattledood January 7, 2016 (11:41 pm)

    I can hear the heli out over the greenbelt.

  • EsuzH January 7, 2016 (11:41 pm)

    Circling over 16th and Trenton area quite a lot. Cop car with lights shining on 16th near Trenton as well.

  • Dave January 7, 2016 (11:42 pm)

    Thanks! Yea, I’m from Memphis–3rd most violent city per FBI–and moved here from Lake City a few months ago, so I don’t scare easily. But that ghetto bird had me worried…I love West Seattle Blog for the info!

  • Brian Bell January 7, 2016 (11:42 pm)

    I’m about to take my dog for a walk, right underneath Guardian One. I won’t be terrorized by local crime. I’m sure many of you won’t agree. But I’m going to own my neighborhood, not fear from it. What’s the alternative? Cower?

  • tm7302 January 7, 2016 (11:46 pm)

    Flew just over my house and I’m on the 7500 block of 15th, North of Holden.

  • JustOffHenderson January 7, 2016 (11:49 pm)

    Thanks for the info, WSB, though I’m not wild about the reason for it.

  • That guy January 7, 2016 (11:49 pm)

    Must have been a real important person that called it in. What a huge waste of resources it’s been over 45 minutes of just flying in circles. I live on eleventh and have a cwp perhaps myself walking down the st. Could fetch an arrest better then keeping the whole neighborhood awake for what may have been a firework. Good job spd flying in circles up there will not catch the bad guy. Try flying up and down on the st. Where the alleged criminal action took place.

  • Kenyon January 7, 2016 (11:52 pm)

    30 minutes+ of circling Highland Park as of 11:50pm, seemingly pretty low. Not the easiest thing to fall asleep to.

    • WSB January 7, 2016 (11:58 pm)

      @ThatGuy – the person they are tracking (and I don’t know if they’re certain this is the guy who had reportedly left a house in the 8100 block of 11th SW with a gun) has been walking back and forth in the area. Just guessing wildly, it would seem as if they are trying really hard to avoid a possible armed confrontation. There has been no mention of anyone else on the streets or of this person engaging in any visible criminal behavior – again, from the police and Guardian One transmissions, anyway.

  • Michelle January 7, 2016 (11:55 pm)

    Go go gadget Brian! I admire your ownership of the neighborhood!

  • Keith January 7, 2016 (11:55 pm)

    Man. Still? And no spot light on? What would they be looking to find with no light?

  • EB January 7, 2016 (11:57 pm)

    Helicopter sounds very close to 16th & Webster for the last 10 mins

  • willbehonest January 7, 2016 (11:57 pm)

    I always feel better when Guardian One shows up lol!

  • SSC Student January 7, 2016 (11:59 pm)

    I live just down the street from the South Seattle College and while I am over here trying to do my work all I can hear is this Heli hovering around multiple times. I’m not used to it being this close and loud so Thanks for the heads up. :)

  • Alan January 8, 2016 (12:01 am)

    @WSB – They are probably tracking Brian “owning” his neighborhood. Once he poop-scoops and goes back inside then everyone can go to sleep. I’m hoping that he scoops.

  • PJ January 8, 2016 (12:05 am)

    @Keith

    The heli is using infrared instead of a spotlight

  • tm7302 January 8, 2016 (12:05 am)

    @ Keith, they’re using FLIR

  • DLH January 8, 2016 (12:08 am)

    They are giving instructions to Keenan Brown, asking him to walk into the intersection of 12th Ave SW and SW Elmgrove. “I know you can hear me Keenan. Step away from the door and into the intersection and await further instruction. We aren’t going to go away.”

  • JanS January 8, 2016 (12:08 am)

    Keith…no need for light. Guardian One has an infrared (I think it is) technology that allows them to see someone because of their body heat. They can name addresses, see if the guy is in a yard hiding…it’s actually quite advanced.

    http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/criminals-will-find-it-harder-hide-king-county/nbrmR/

  • Viridiana January 8, 2016 (12:11 am)

    There’s unusual noise in my alley 13th. There’s a white van parked. Is the suspect on feet or car?

    • WSB January 8, 2016 (12:13 am)

      Virid – no vehicle involved that I have heard. They might be using a PA to try to reach the person on the ground.

  • DH January 8, 2016 (12:14 am)

    They are in the 20th/Thistle area now. Was going to let my dog out but think I’ll wait. Thanks WSB for keeping us up to date!

    • WSB January 8, 2016 (12:16 am)

      The helicopter might be there but the focus of all this is still on either 11th or 12th. Sounds like officers are now talking to the guy – from how far away, can’t tell by listening.

      • WSB January 8, 2016 (12:17 am)

        … he had dogs with him, which was complicating things, but it sounds like they are now under control. Here’s hoping this is winding down.

      • WSB January 8, 2016 (12:18 am)

        .. and the dispatcher has just said the situation is under control and the air’s back open for routine traffic.

  • HP REZ January 8, 2016 (12:15 am)

    The cops have him.

  • Brian Bell January 8, 2016 (12:19 am)

    Okay, not smart. We got attacked by sexually or fight oriented aggressive dogs at 11th and Elmgrove. I kicked the sh-t out of both of them until we could make our escape. A police officer parked on the next block knew of these dogs and advised going a different direction to get home. Perp is still at large and possibly armed, thought seems to be isolated around 11th and Elmgrove. Avoid this area by 3-4 blocks in all diretions. Heavy police presence.

  • tm7302 January 8, 2016 (12:21 am)

    Does that mean that someone has been arrested?

    • WSB January 8, 2016 (12:24 am)

      In custody. Whether the man is arrested depends on whether it’s determined he committed a crime. Anyway, you’ll hear a siren most likely because a medic unit/fire unit is being called to come check him out for possibly being under the influence. @Brian, those were apparently the dogs that were with the guy, and it sounds on the scanner like police want to talk to you. And now it’s reported the guy *was* armed.

  • Westseattledood January 8, 2016 (12:22 am)

    Yeah, the copter is quiet.

    Gratitude to Guardian One, et al. Edit: agreed Brian Bell. Not smart. At all.

  • Michelle January 8, 2016 (12:23 am)

    Whew! Thank you for sticking with us. Good night!

  • Brian Bell January 8, 2016 (12:25 am)

    I believe I was that Keven and I were the last to interact with those dogs. They were very aggressive and didn’t respond well to me kicking the sh-t out of their ribs. Sorry, kids. Don’t attack my dog and I won’t kick you.

  • Brian Bell January 8, 2016 (12:32 am)

    Thanks, Tracy. I actually did talk to the police after the dog attack but just called 911 to make myself available. Not sure what I could tell them now, most of the conversation was in dog talk and between dogs.

  • Brian Bell January 8, 2016 (12:38 am)

    @westseattledood Okay, not wise, I admit. But i’m not going to cower in my own neighborhood. I didn’t know that I was walking into a dog situation. Guardian One hovers often with little collateral damage consequence. Keven and I are fine, by the way.

  • nachobeaver January 8, 2016 (12:43 am)

    Why, oh why must you swoop through the hood
    like everybody from the hood is up to no good my ghetto bird🚁

  • tm7302 January 8, 2016 (12:48 am)

    I’d hate to think that SPD and the county would waste a lot of money (manpower/helicopter) if they didn’t think a crime was in progress.

    • WSB January 8, 2016 (1:13 am)

      TM – there’s a difference between crime committed/safety issue. Again, I wasn’t personally involved, not even close enough to hear the chopper – just caught it heading that way via scanner – so this is only based on what could be monitored, but once they had a report that a guy believed to be armed and possibly having fired a shot outside was out walking the street, I don’t think they had any choice … Sounded like they were going to go check for a shell casing in the yard of the house he originally came from, for one. And for two, depending on how long it took them to get him into custody, there could be a case of eluding or refusing to obey. We’ll see what turns up in the report.

  • Steph January 8, 2016 (1:44 am)

    The suspect was sitting in front of our house while his 2 pitbulls fought right at 12th/Elmgrove. He was banging on my neighbors door at one point and was on my porch as well. This went on for a long time. He finally broke up the dogfight and when he was walking (with the dogs) they tazed him and he didn’t even fall. He is in custody and all is quiet. He originally was on 11th/Elmgrove where the shots fired happened. I am grateful for guardian one for being present.

  • Hereinmyhood January 8, 2016 (3:21 am)

    The suspect had a outstanding DOC warrant that could be why they were so persistent on top of being delirious and armed wandering with two pit bulls that he cares for but doesn’t own I am sure he flipped out again and insisted on taking these dogs with him.I was out myself walking during the whole incident and was told by the police that I couldn’t walk back towards my house that I had to walk around and come back thru from the north and because I had my daughters with me I believe the helicopter was making sure we got back safe cause they hovered over us until we arrived back to the house as soon as we walked in I turned the scanner on and heard they spotted him and realized who the suspect in question was.I knew that it wasn’t wise to be out walking with my girls so late but I needed to wind them down after a all to exciting night of birthday fun.But because I have relations with all the thugs in the hood I tend to not worry about any nonsense that may be stirring.Shoot I am a woman and on my own behalf have beat down a couple of men I caught stealing stuff out of my garage when I was home catching one in the alley and then getting into my car and chasing the other one down by the school and have caught a couple of other ppl in the middle of stealing a package off a porch chased them down and made them go return the package and another guy I caught prowling cars on my block in the middle of the night I chased him off in just my underware and tank top on he got away but left the items he stole right where he seen me coming after him.And not once did I need to involve 911.This is my hood and I make damn sure to stop any unfamiliar person I see walking thru just to ask them what they are up to if they live around here.Nieghbors u gotta stand up for each other and let these scumbags know that here in highland park or any part of the west we are watching and we won’t coward down to them.9times out of 10 they are going to s–t themselves in fear of catching a case a beat down or a bullet.Where I sleep may not be sweet but where I Rome I call it home and I will be damned if someone new comes thru acting as if s—s his to steal and own.Taking a bite out of crime every chance I get

  • Bonnie January 8, 2016 (7:05 am)

    Brian, I am glad that you and Keven are fine!

  • westseattledood January 8, 2016 (8:05 am)

    Call 911 every time you see criminal activity because if you do NOT call 911, even if you think you are a bad ass, we (your neighbors) will not get police patrols. The police department uses the number of calls to 911 to assess how many patrols or other police resources an area needs.

    You are NOT doing your neighbors a favor by not calling 911. Anyone else who thinks that you are doing us a favor are WRONG. We, all of your neighbors, need everybody calling 911 when you see stuff going on. No excuses.

    People who do not call 911 to report stuff are part of the problem, as confusing as some might find that idea, because the police department will not have accurate accounting of what is going on…what is REALLY going on.

    Listen again: The police use the tallies of 911 calls to assign patrols. If you don’t call, they don’t know what has happened and that is NOT GOOD FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

    So, even if you think you are helping your neighbors out by being tough and bad ass and show you care and are brave by walking right into shi*t and making the cops job even more difficult all too often, everybody needs to understand that you are FAILING your neighbors if you don’t call 911.

    I am asking my neighbors to try and understand. Be bad ass if you can’t control yourself, that’s your problem if you get hurt or end up huring somebody else, but call 911 on your cell on your way to getting into that crap because then you are becoming part of everybody elses’ problem.

    Seriously.

    That’s all I am going to say. End of discussion on my end.

    • WSB January 8, 2016 (8:20 am)

      And we say that to each and every person who texts us and calls us: “Have you called 911? Please call 911.” Especially when the text/call is about possible gunshots, because that’s not necessarily people’s first inclination. But besides the recordkeeping, the calls also help police triangulate where to look. And besides looking for casings/bullet holes – once in a rare while, the calls will lead them to a victim. Could be a matter of life and death. When you hear “possible gunshot” calls over the scanner, you’ll hear the dispatcher even say whether they have “just one call so far” or “multiple callers.”

  • Kay K January 8, 2016 (8:33 am)

    Did anyone know what happened to the dogs? Were they left wandering around, or did animal control take them in?

  • j January 8, 2016 (9:16 am)

    So here is a gun crime.
    Why isn’t anyone up in arms regarding this unlawful gun posession?
    This person will be out of jail before you know it.
    You want gun control? Here it is. Send this person to jail for 5 years without parole for unlawful gun posession.
    Gun issues will not be solved by taxing legal gun owners.
    More of the same….

  • Kay K January 8, 2016 (10:11 am)

    Never mind – I found out about what happened with the dogs.

    • WSB January 8, 2016 (10:16 am)

      Great. All I know is they were definitely not left to wander. Police had in fact taken the time to get “dog snares,” according to backchannel traffic, before making the move on the ground to take the suspect into custody.

  • Rick Sanchez January 8, 2016 (10:23 am)

    Call 911, sure. I don’t see the need to be criticizing others for not just cowering inside their houses peering out between the blinds whenever something happens.

  • sam-c January 8, 2016 (10:26 am)

    re: calling 911- does that still apply if you don’t have any other useful info on where they might have been? For example, the 30 shots the other night, I heard them, but didn’t call 911 cause I had no idea where they came from. Since I heard them through a south facing window, I kinda thought they came from 16th / Myrtle direction, which apparently was way off. Do you call 911 and say “I just heard 20+ gunshots, but no idea where they were. here is where I am” It doesn’t seem like useful info.

    • WSB January 8, 2016 (10:30 am)

      Yes, definitely. If you call from, say, 123 Tree Street, and tell them you think it sounded like they were to the north of you, that helps. Or even if you’re NOT sure what direction, the fact something was audible from 123 Tree St is a fragment of info that can be helpful.

      • WSB January 8, 2016 (11:11 am)

        Anybody checking back on this – we’ve just obtained the police-report narrative, which has a few more details, including that a casing WAS found in the back yard where this all started. Adding it (with suspect and victim names redacted by SPD) above.

  • Eron January 8, 2016 (1:12 pm)

    I walked by around 5 and they were smoking something with a torch right in the street. The dog almost came through the fence at me and the guy could barely control it. The house is a constant source of trouble from the derelict cars in various states of repair hemorrhaging into the streets to the obnoxious “test drives”. Racing and revving through the neighborhood has left rubber on the street @ 11th& Kenyon. This is, btw, the second police standoff to this address for the same reason. Glad I don’t live on that block but like Brian, I will not avoid the block.

  • Wsea98116 January 8, 2016 (3:36 pm)

    I support Brian’s and the bad-ass chick’s need to interject themselves into these kinds of situations, in order to prove “they will not cower, but keep the power”, and other rhyming slogans. Although their presence highly complicates law enforcement’s efforts- any bad-ass interactions with thugs will likely reduce the amount of ammo and dog mauling available to be used against me, as I sit cowering in my home, watching netflix, and sipping hot cocoa.

  • Steph January 8, 2016 (4:50 pm)

    911 was called a number of times to let them know where the suspect was. I think they knew, but continued the intercom request to come out to the street because he was possibly armed and dangerous. As it turns out, he was out of his mind high, and armed. Plus the 2 dogs that were fighting across the street were doing so in such a horrible way, that I’m sure that added to the danger. Watching the suspect in front of my house and my neighbors was super scary, but he was apprehended. And yes, he’s from the house that is known for trouble on 11th (Eron). I was worried about the dogs as well. Bad owners. Clearly

  • ET January 8, 2016 (6:57 pm)

    I’m glad nobody was harmed, but I’m frightened for whomever was the victim of the domestic violence assault. if when he’s out he’s able to (or really, when he’s able to) get another gun, they will be in grave danger.

  • Steph January 8, 2016 (7:43 pm)

    I hope the dogs will go to a rehabilitation center. Clearly they were bread to fight, which was so horrible to watch for a half hour. They did not bark or make a sound, just proceeded to try and kill one another. Guessing these dogs need rescuing. Super glad Guardian One was overhead and the perp is behind bars now. 911 and calling for help is really a good thing. Love the neighborhood watch, but those of you that think you could’ve apprehended this guy, well, take a breath. Because you did not, and could not.

Sorry, comment time is over.