West Seattle, Washington
09 Saturday
12:13 PM: Big “heavy rescue” callout headed to Olson/Myers – avoid the area for a while. We’re en route to find out more.
12:24 PM: Just arrived in the area – car flipped in outside downhill lane. SFD still on scene. No major injuries reported; no other vehicles involved. Traffic is getting by both ways. This happened atop the exit to NB 99/509 but vehicles are getting around.
12:37 PM: Photos added.
(Rufous hummingbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Welcome to the weekend – here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
KIDS’ FISHING POND: The West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club presents its annual free fishing pond for kids, 8 am-11 am at Seacrest Pier. Fishing equipment provided; the pond’s stocked with trout; more info here. (1660 Harbor SW)
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION HUBS’ DISASTER DRILL & OPEN HOUSE: 9:30-11:30 am at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, local volunteers – you’re invited to show up and help as a citizen actor! – will be rehearsing a quake scenario as part of the weeklong “Cascadia Rising” mega-quake drill. (6400 Sylvan Way SW) … Also this morning, the newest hub in West Seattle will have an “open house” info table so you can learn more about it, 9 am-noon – if you’re in THe Junction, stop by Hope Lutheran Church and find out more. (4456 42nd SW)
HELICOPTERS’ DISASTER DRILL: As previewed here again last night, a daylong drill will include helicopters flying to and from West Seattle’s Terminal 5, as part of the weeklong “Cascadia Rising” mega-quake drill. You can watch from the overlook at Jack Block Park.
SPRING AT SOUTH: Explore South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) and vicinity during the all-day event “Spring at South” – with trail walks in the surrounding West Duwamish Greenbelt, an open house at the Seattle Chinese Garden, wine tasting at the Northwest Wine Academy, photography exhibits, and more – see the schedule and highlights in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)
PLAY GAMES! Not really beach weather as of this writing, so explore indoor fun with a big schedule of Saturday events at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor), from Family Game Day (11:30 am-3 pm) to Bridge Night (7 pm-10 pm) and more. (3727 California SW)
MASTER GARDENERS’ POP-UP CLINIC: Gardening/plant question? Special chance to talk with Master Gardeners at the Delridge P-Patch, 10 am-2 pm, as previewed here. (5078 25th SW)
P-PATCH PIZZA: At the Barton Street Community Garden and P-Patch in Westwood, the masonry oven will be fired up today, and you’re invited to come: “Enjoy the garden and an opportunity to explore the use of traditional community ovens as well as masonry oven cooking techniques. We’ll be baking fresh pizzas! Neighbors are invited to bring favorite toppings and cheese to round out flavors. Volunteers are welcome.” Noon-3 pm – or if you want to help with the oven, even earlier: “Join us to build and tend the fire for the pizza oven (9:00 am and onward). This informational and fundraising event is open to all.” (34th SW/SW Barton)
NO LIGHTHOUSE TOURS TODAY: The Alki Point Lighthouse is NOT open for tours today, but will be back to its weekend 1-4 pm schedule tomorrow.
TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL-BOARD REP: As the school year draws to a close, your next chance to talk with and hear from your elected local rep on the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors, Leslie Harris, is 3-4:30 pm today at High Point Library. (35th SW/SW Raymond)
FROM RUSSIA TO GATEWOOD: The St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble performs a free concert at Peace Lutheran Church, including folk songs and liturgical music, 4 pm. (39th SW/SW Thistle)
REALFINE/RUDY’S PARKING LOT PARTY: 5-10 pm in The Triangle, Realfine Coffee and Rudy’s Barbershop are hosting a free parking-lot party with “local music, art, drinks, and more!” (4480 Fauntleroy Way SW)
DAVID MALLETT @ KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, the legendary singer-songwriter returns to Kenyon Hall – our calendar listing includes how to check ASAP if reservations remain. (7904 35th SW)
And a transportation reminder:
NO BRIDGE CLOSURE TONIGHT: The next overnight closure of the west end of the West Seattle Bridge for the Fauntleroy Expressway earthquake-cushion re-replacements is tomorrow (Sunday) night, 9 pm-5 am.
THE REST OF THE LIST … for today, tonight, tomorrow, and beyond, is on our complete calendar.
(WSB photo, from April)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
On the city’s Shoreline Street Ends map, it’s “SW Barton Street.”
To the community that has cared for it since 1999, it’s Cove Park, a small strip of public beach on Fauntleroy Cove, immediately north of the state-ferry dock.
For three years earlier this decade, it was off-limits, until the Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project was complete – a project that turned Cove Park into a staging area.
Preparing for the project, King County – which runs the pump station – bought the 68-year-old beachfront bungalow next to Cove Park and its 14,000-square-foot (counting tidelands) lot for $950,000 in 2008.
Community members say they were told the little white house would be somebody’s home again, once the project was over. Now, a different possibility has the little white house at the core of a tug of war, one that could be heard in the impassioned voices of those who spoke at a recent community meeting.
(WSB photo from November 2015, helicopters at Terminal 5 during drill)
Just got more information about tomorrow’s drill at Terminal 5, which noted here last night after we found out about it from a Port rep. The lead agency is Seattle Fire, which just sent this:
Imagine a 9.0 earthquake so devastating that it impacts the entire Northwest Region. That is the basis for the Cascadia Rising earthquake exercise being held this week in multiple states. When a disaster of this magnitude strikes, a regional air response is necessary to face the challenges of saving lives over a large geographical area.
The Northwest Regional Aviation team will come together at the Port of Seattle Terminal 5 for a daylong series of helicopter drills that will utilize lifesaving skills necessary to meet the challenges of a regional disaster. In coordination with the Washington State Department of Emergency Management, a unified response with aviation resources from 10 different city, county and state jurisdictions including 6 aircraft will demonstrate the technical aspects of search and rescue, moving resources and transporting injured patients.
Observe landing and take-off procedures as multiple helicopters hoist and transport equipment and personnel in and out of the heliport base at Terminal 5. The community is invited to watch the helicopter rescue activities from the view platform located at Jack Block Park.
Agencies participating in the training:
Airlift Northwest
Bainbridge Island Fire Department
King County Sheriff’s Office
Port of Seattle
Seattle Fire Department
Seattle Police Department
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office
Tacoma Fire Department
Washington National Guard
The drill is scheduled to start around 10 am and continue until about 2, according to SFD’s media advisory.
Also happening tomorrow in West Seattle as part of Cascadia Rising – two Emergency Communication Hubs events – details are in our preview.
One week from tomorrow, it’s the next big neighborhood celebration of summer, the Morgan Junction Community Festival, presented by the Morgan Community Association, in and around Morgan Junction Park, 10 am-5 pm Saturday, June 18th.
One fun feature you’ll find again – the “Bark of Morgan” dog parade and canine contests. First, at 1:30 pm, parade your pooch around the festival grounds (on leash – and costumes are encouraged); then, at 1:45 pm, compete in one of the seven contest categories, with judging by audience applause:
* Highest Jump
*Smallest Dog
*Best Urban Village Dog
*Best Trick
*Best Costume
*Longest Tail
*Best Owner/Dog Lookalike
Other festival fun includes kids’ activities starting at 10:30, Bubbleman‘s performance starting at 11:30, live music, food trucks, local authors, vendor booths, more; the park is on California north of Fauntleroy.
Take the time to wander the surrounding Morgan Junction business district, too – lots of great local businesses are co-sponsoring the festival, as are we. See you there!
(King County Assessor photo)
The new owners of a former church in Highland Park have officially filed to replace it with a residential rowhouse. Until a few months ago, as 1200 SW Holden, it was The Potter’s House, on the northwest corner of 12th SW and SW Holden, across from the Highland Park Improvement Club. Now, with an address change to 7551 12th SW – the site plan on file shows the five units facing 12th – it’s proposed for a five-townhouse rowhouse building. (The church, by the way, has moved to White Center.)
(WSB photo from last month)
Going into the fifth week of overnight closures for the west end of the West Seattle Bridge so earthquake-safety cushions can be re-replaced, we have word of two changes next week: SDOT says the Tuesday and Thursday night closures (June 14 and 16) will start later, because of “the large crowds expected to attend Copa America Centenario soccer games at CenturyLink Field on those evenings.” Tuesday night’s closure will run 11 pm-5 am, and on Thursday, it’ll be 10:30 pm-5 am. The project to re-replace 674 “bearing pads” is expected to require up to 50 overnight closures, usually Sunday-Thursday nights, so the bridge deck can be jacked up for that work; so far, by our county, it’s 17 closures in. (Don’t worry, we’ll remind you about all this next week in our morning traffic coverage, as usual.)
Just in from Seattle Police, via SPD Blotter:
Police arrested a 16-year-old Friday in West Seattle after he reportedly showed off a stolen handgun to his friends before trying to ditch it near a school.
Just before 9:30 AM, police received a report that the suspect was showing off a handgun to a group of teenagers in the 8600 block of 24th Avenue SW and SW Cloverdale. According to a 911 caller, the suspect had flashed a handgun in his waistband, pulled out the clip and then pulled the trigger of the empty weapon.
Police notified nearby Denny Middle School and Chief Sealth High School about the incident and began searching for the 16-year-old. Within nine minutes of the initial call, officers found the gun stashed in some bushes in the 8400 block of 26th Avenue SW and discovered it has been reported stolen in Snohomish County. Police found and arrested the 16-year-old minutes later and booked him into the King County Youth Service Center for unlawful possession of a firearm.
(Photo by CSIHS athletic director Ernest Policarpio)
A Seattle Mariners star dropped by Chief Sealth International High School, reports assistant principal Michael Reisinger:
Nelson Cruz stopped by Chief Sealth International High School on Thursday to speak with students about the importance of their education. A small group of students were able to meet with Cruz for about an hour and ask questions about his early days through his professional career. Cruz stressed to them the value of completing high school and working hard to achieve their goals. He also paused to take selfies and sign autographs for several students. The Chief Sealth family of staff and students thank Cruz for his visit, wish him well in the ongoing season, and welcome him back anytime.
Cruz, who joined the Mariners last year, is the son of educators.
(Port of Seattle image with proposed project’s toplines)
They asked for it … they got it. As we reported in our coverage of both public hearings this week on the Terminal 5 Improvements Project, community members asked for an extension of the comment period; last night, Port of Seattle reps promised a decision by “early next week.” They’ve just announced the decision is in and the new deadline for comments is 5 pm July 8th. Go to the “online open house” to see how to comment.
WSB coverage of this week’s hearings:
–Thursday in West Seattle
–Tuesday in Georgetown
(Fishing osprey, photographed by Gary Jones)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:
DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS FOR COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD: Noon-7 pm – drop in and visit your city councilmember at South Park Community Center. (8319 8th Ave. S.)
SUPER SMASH BROTHERS BRAWL TOURNAMENT: For teens, planned by teens, 3:30-5:30 pm at Southwest Library. (35th/Henderson)
SUMMER KICKOFF: Youth arts showcase at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, as part of the Delridge Cultural Events Series, 5-8 pm, presented by Totem Star. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
KAYAKER/AUTHOR: Susan Conrad speaks at Mountain to Sound Outfitters tonight, 5-7 pm, about her 1,200-mile paddling adventure from Anacortes to Juneau. (3602 SW Alaska)
COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER: 6 pm at Alki Masonic Center – take a little time and go help a youth group collect donations for the tiniest, most vulnerable members of our community, as explained in our preview. (40th/Edmunds)
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Singer-songwriter TX Trumbo performs tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
ALKI CO-OP PRESCHOOL BENEFIT SHOW: 8 pm at The Skylark, $10 cover, music starts at 9 (all ages until then), benefiting the Alki Cooperative Preschool – explained in our calendar listing. (3803 Delridge SW)
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE — the weekend, and beyond, plus the rest of what’s happening today/tonight, all on our complete calendar.
Found out about this via City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s newest online update: You’re invited to respond to the Seattle Legacy Business Survey. On her official page, she explains it, in part:
… In my first week as a Councilmember, a District 1 resident brought me the idea of a Seattle Legacy Business Program, modeled after a successful San Francisco effort. Since I chair the committee with oversight of economic development issues, I was inspired by the effort. The purpose of the San Francisco Legacy Business Registry is to:
“recognize that longstanding, community-serving businesses can be valuable cultural assets to the City. In addition, the City intends that the Registry be a tool for providing educational and promotional assistance to Legacy Businesses to encourage their continued viability and success.”
So, in order to see if there’s Seattle community concern that our own valued businesses are in peril, I am working with the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Seattle, and 4 Culture to survey community members to identify our most important business establishments; identify elements that contribute to the culture, character, and history of Seattle; and establish tools to protect them. …
The survey is simple – just five questions. Find it here. (And if you have extra time afterward, consider commenting here to let everyone know which businesses you miss/would miss!)
P.S. Councilmember Herbold’s next district-office-hours session is noon-7 pm today, this time at the South Park Community Center (8319 8th Avenue S.).
On a breezy night in The Junction, the Seattle Lutheran High School Class of 2016 filed into the Menashe Family Gym for their graduation ceremony last night. This year’s senior class numbers 35; speakers at the ceremony included senior class president Alex Melchior and valedictorian Abbi Sanders, co-salutatorians JT Gallant and Aaron Peña, while ASB president Macey Crooks gave the closing prayer.
(This photo and next by Torin Record-Sand for WSB)
That cap seemed to be a nod to the class scripture, as featured in the program: II Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Other cap decorations we spotted outside:
The SLHS graduation was the first of our area’s three major commencement ceremonies this month – Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School have their graduations back-to-back on June 21st at Southwest Athletic Complex, 5 and 8 pm respectively.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:58 AM: Good morning – if you’re heading toward West Seattle, we have a bridge problem right now, a crash on the westbound bridge, near the 1st Avenue South on/offramp.
7:13 AM: Now, the first outbound problem of the day – WSDOT reports an expansion-joint problem on northbound 5 near Seneca, and that means a lane is closed as crews head to check it out.
7:23 AM: That situation has the right lane of northbound I-5 closed and backups are building already. Meantime, the westbound bridge crash isn’t clear yet.
7:26 AM: As discussed in comments, the problem on the westbound bridge is affecting the 1st Avenue South on/offramp and that’s led to a chain reaction affecting the 1st Avenue offramp on the eastbound side. Police have been dispatched to try to break it up.
7:37 AM: According to the scanner, the westbound bridge crash has cleared and police have 1st Avenue S. going again. However, the expansion-joint problem on northbound I-5 is not likely to be a quick fix, so you might consider an alternative, or delay.
8:08 AM: Even the alternatives have challenges – Jennifer tweeted that the low bridge is backed up, with a “long line of trucks.”
10:43 AM: The northbound I-5 lane closure is finally over, according to WSDOT via Twitter, though traffic is still ugly out there, per commenters.
Three scenes from tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk:
(First two photos by Torin Record-Sand for WSB)
GARDEN TOUR POSTER PRIZE: At Windermere West Seattle in The Junction, West Seattle Garden Tour president Pam Stusser (left) presented a check to Cynthia Dale Turner for winning this year’s WSGT poster contest with her artwork Wild, Wild Flowers. The Garden Tour, happening on July 17th, also has announced that ticket booklets are now on sale – in West Seattle, get your $20 booklet at WS Nursery or Junction True Value, or online via Brown Paper Tickets.
GREETING-CARD LAUNCH: West Seattle artist Michael Doyle was in the spotlight at VAIN (WSB sponsor):
He was not only showing his “Apartment Life” paintings, but also launching his card line “Apartment on Belmont.”
MURAL TOURS: And here’s what put the “walk” in tonight’s Art Walk:
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
As previewed here last night, Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals led two walking tours of the historic murals in The Junction. (Read the backstory here.)
Next West Seattle Art Walk is the second Thursday, as usual, but it won’t be West Seattle Summer Fest Eve as it is most years, since the night before the festival is the first Thursday.
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
After another successful year in sports for West Seattle High School, athletic director Trevor Leopold gathered five of his graduating stars tonight to celebrate their athletic scholarships in a “signing day”-style event. From left in our photo are swimmer Gabby Carufel, going to Loyola Marymount in California; basketball/track athlete Lexi Ioane, (update) still deciding; state-champion runner Lani Taylor, going to Seattle Pacific; track athlete Chaaka Trahan, who’s still deciding; and soccer player Olivia Williams, going to Chico State in California.
That’s proud principal Ruth Medsker capturing the moment. Congratulations to all!
(UPDATED FRIDAY NIGHT with trash can’s arrival)
9:24 PM: Another followup tonight: This one, in the case of the 61st/Alki bus stop that is without a trash can because Metro says the one it used to have was used too much. On Wednesday, we published the response that Diana got from Metro after asking them to place a can there – it boiled down to “no.” We followed up with Metro spokesperson Jeff Switzer, including a question of whether it’s Metro policy to remove trash cans that are much-used. This evening, he sent word that they’ve changed their mind and will try a trash can there again:
Our records show Metro hasn’t had a trash can at that site since 2012 after seeing a pattern of it being misused by nearby businesses and residents, with home garbage showing up at the bus stop. It reached the point that our facilities crews were regularly receiving work orders and complaints about garbage, so we decided to remove it.
One of our thresholds in deciding whether to remove a trash can is if a location becomes so problematic that it generates a large number of work orders and crew time cleaning up a persistent problem, something that stretches beyond a transit issue into a community issue.
That said, we’re going to put a new 35-gallon can out there in the next few days, and will monitor how things go. If problems re-emerge beyond what Metro can address, we’ll see if we can get some help from the city and businesses to supply additional trash cans in the area.
We’ll keep an eye out for the new can – please let us know if you see it first.
ADDED FRIDAY NIGHT: The trash can has arrived. Diana sent the photo to prove it:
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
You have 12 more days to comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Terminal 5 Improvements Project in West Seattle – unless the comment period is extended.
(Friday afternoon update: It has been.)
Both hearings for this stage of the process are now history, after tonight’s hearing, which was in West Seattle, at the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction. As we’d been told Tuesday in Georgetown (WSB coverage here), the format was exactly the same, though there were some divergences along the way.
Again tonight, Commissioner Fred Felleman opened, this time making a point to say “we don’t have a tenant yet” but promising they will “do it right” no matter what they wind up doing.
Paul Meyer, the port’s environmental manager, gave the presentation instead of deputy CEO Kurt Beckett, who was reported to have undergone “emergency dental surgery” earlier in the day, but did arrive around 6:15 pm. First, Commissioner Felleman said he wanted to be sure everyone understood that the Northwest Seaport Alliance jointly manages the Seattle and Tacoma container terminals, but not everything associated with both ports.
Just found out tonight that Terminal 5 will host yet another drill with helicopters on Saturday – this time, as part of the Cascadia Rising megaquake drill that’s been happening at a variety of locations around the region. Susan Stoltzfus with the Port of Seattle told us about it at tonight’s T-5 Draft Environmental Impact Report public hearing (report to come). She says multiple agencies are participating with simulations including a collapsed building, and it’s scheduled between 10 am and 3 pm. If you’re interested in taking a look, she says you’ll be able to view it from the Jack Block Park overlook. In the meantime, if you notice the helicopters and/or other unusual activity at T-5 on Saturday, don’t fret, it’s only a drill.
P.S. As we’ve already reported, a much-more low-key – but no less vital – drill will be happening in High Point, and your direct participation is welcome – here’s where, when, and how.
After two and a half weeks, Washington State Ferries says it’s giving up on new “procedures” that were intended to speed up loading at the Fauntleroy dock, but caused new problems instead. This afternoon’s announcement:
On Monday, May 23, WSF instituted new ticketing procedures at the Fauntleroy ferry terminal in order to address several problems identified by the passengers, ferry advisory committee members, and WSF. Over the past three weeks, we have learned from passenger feedback and direct observation that the new procedures were not working. Based on this experience, we are suspending the change and returning to the ticketing procedures that were previously in place starting on Friday, June 10.
Passengers with pre-purchased tickets will be waved through the tollbooth, and their tickets will be scanned on the dock. Passengers who do not have tickets must stop to buy them at the tollbooth. We recognize that this solution does not address the underlying difficulties at the Fauntleroy Terminal, including limited vehicle capacity, challenges with consistent fare recovery, and an outdated schedule designed for smaller vessels and lower traffic volume. These factors create conflict between maintaining the schedule and filling the boats.
Going forward, we will reach out to and communicate with stakeholders as we explore options to improve service within the constraints of our system. Thank you to all of our customers for your patience. We heard you, and we apologize for the disruption and inconvenience this change has caused.
(WSB photo, 3:20 pm today)
One day after a Seattle Parks crew hauled away a truckload of toys meant for sharing at Ercolini Park, the resulting parental petition drive (original WSB coverage here) is past 1,000 signers, and Parks has responded with an offer to negotiate:
We know the park is well-loved and much used by the many parents of small children who live in the neighborhood, and that the littlest of them love the supplemental toys the parents bring. We have no desire to substitute our judgment for theirs, but we do need to respond to the complaints we receive.
In today’s world of social media, people can raise an issue fast, as happened with the community’s online petition. In turn, we at Parks and Recreation are responding fast. Our Interim Parks Division Director has reached out to the author of the petition and offered to meet her at the park …
Our goal is to forge a compromise that involves establishing a protocol for what wear or breakage warrants the removal of toys, and involves the community in assessing the condition of the toys.
We hope to have a full resolution within the next day.
Petition author Amanda confirmed she was scheduled to talk today with a Parks rep to set up a meeting.
(UPDATED 5:04 PM with new information on burglary suspect)
In West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:
BURGLARY SUSPECT ARRESTED, WITH DOG: A burglary suspect who neighbors believe is the door-trying “prowler with pooch” shown here in mid-May is due back in court today. After a tip that the suspect had been arrested Monday afternoon in the 9400 block of 24th SW, we followed up on the case: Police say a realtor found the 36-year-old woman and her dog inside a house listed for sale. Probable-cause documents say she appeared to be under the influence of drugs and begged officers not to take her dog; though she suggested someone who could come get it before she was taken to jail, that person was unreachable and the dog was taken to the shelter. The suspect, who gave a Burien address, has a long record of property crimes, including at least two featured here, but has never spent time in the state prison system (we checked to see if they had a mugshot, to compare to the “prowler with pooch” video). Her bail was set yesterday at $25,000 and we’ll be checking to see what happens today. According to the police report, the house on 24th SW had not been entered forcibly, and it hadn’t been determined whether anything was stolen.
ADDED 5:17 PM: The suspect is now charged with criminal trespass, so, per our policy, we can identify her: 36-year-old Jessica A. Detrick. Her bail is now $1,000; if still in custody, she is scheduled for arraignment tomorrow morning. Detrick figured into two cases we reported here in 2013, both with the same accomplice, Sean Jeardoe, who is currently in was recently released from prison: They were both arrested in a Morgan Junction parking lot in July 2013 after a WSB reader spotted him in a pickup truck reported here as stolen.
They were not charged at the time, though he confessed to multiple burglaries, but he was charged after they were arrested on Vashon Island two months later. As we reported at the time, investigators believed they were “responsible for up to 22 burglaries, 4 gun thefts, 3 auto thefts, and other crimes.” He reached a plea deal and was sentenced to 4 1/2 years including mandatory drug treatment; court records do not show any evidence Detrick was ever charged. She does appear to have had some arrests in the ensuing two years, but no felony prosecutions. (Friday afternoon update: She’s been released from jail.)
(back to original report) GUNFIRE/CRASH FOLLOWUP: Since Monday, we’ve been trying to get the report narrative on the 10th/Roxbury incident we covered Saturday afternoon. We confirmed that while both Seattle Police and King County Sheriff’s Office responded, the investigation is a KCSO case. Media-relations officer Sgt. Jason Houck talked with detectives, who are still looking for tips/witnesses, and provided this summary/update:
Two vehicles were involved in a running gun battle. Per witnesses, there were at least two people in each car. The car being chased, a gold-colored Buick, collided head-on with a car going west on Roxbury.
(WSB photo from Saturday)This led to several other collisions. The car following the Buick was described by a witness as a black Chevy Impala. It fled from the scene. The occupants of the Buick fled from the scene, but the driver returned a short time later. Several fired cartridge casings were recovered. Although there were several people injured during the collisions, no one has been found with gunshot wounds. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information about this shooting can leave information by contacting 206-263-2090 – Major Crimes Unit
KCSO would not release the full report narrative, saying its policy is not to do so with open cases, even if a public-disclosure request is filed (which we did), so this is the entirety of what we have so far.
POSSIBLE GUNFIRE: Just in case you were wondering – we got one report late last night of possible shots, heard from 14th/Kenyon; when they called 911, they were told others had called in, too. Police responded but, according to Lt. Alan Williams, did not find any evidence of gunfire (shell casings, bullet holes, etc.) and didn’t find anyone who had seen someone firing a gun.
CAR PROWLS CONTINUE: We’ve reported before on car prowls in the garage at Spruce, the Fauntleroy/Alaska/39th building that houses apartments and LA Fitness. A frustrated gym employee contacted us today, saying break-ins are continuing there and on surrounding blocks, concerned that their employer is getting the blame but shouldn’t be. The employee says the garage does not have adequate security. The online police-report map does not not show a recent concentration of prowls there, but we’ve heard this anecdotally from multiple sources including this one (if your car is broken into, please report it, wherever it happens, even if nothing is taken).
HIT-RUN – SEE ANYTHING? From Daniel:
My 2010 Subaru Outback was side swiped the afternoon of Sunday, June 5th . It was sitting in front of my house, at the corner of 42nd Ave SW & Spokane St SW. No note was left. It was hit by a blue SUV or light truck. Damage is to passenger front and rear door (estimate of damage is $1756.00). A police report was filled with the Seattle Police (case #2016-200484).
Traffic on the eastbound bridge looks a little more like morning than afternoon right now because of a crash blocking 1 1/2 lanes by the 4th Avenue exit. Two cars are involved, no injuries reported, police are on scene, as you can see in our screengrab from the “live” camera, taken a couple minutes ago. If you have to head eastbound, we’d suggest waiting a while.
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