WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police investigating South Delridge gunfire

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8:09 PM: Police are at 16th and Barton investigating a reported exchange of gunfire, and radio discussion says they have found shell casings, but no victims, and that those who were involved are believed to have gotten into at least two vehicles and left. More to come.

8:19 PM: If you heard/saw a helicopter, that was Guardian One looking around for anything matching what descriptions police have so far of the vehicles – white mid-2000s Mercedes SUV, and a black vehicle.

8:25 PM: Our crew has talked with police at the scene. No property damage so far as they can tell; they say they have found one confirmed shell casing, 9mm. Along with the aforementioned white SUV, the description of the second vehicle involved is now black or blue. By the way, if you’re a bit south of the scene and noticing police pulled over with a silver car, near 15th/Roxbury, that’s NOT believed to be related – they noticed plates on the car that were reported as stolen, and pulled it over.

8:40 PM: Our crew says police are wrapping up at the scene. No further reports of progress on finding those responsible, but if you have any information, call 911.

8:44 PM: Now police are investigating a report that one nearby residence was hit by a bullet.

9:31 PM: We went back over to find out more about that. Police confirm that a bullet went into an apartment two buildings south of Barton, along the alley between 16th and 17th.

No injuries.

SIDE NOTE: From SPD’s latest SeaStat briefing last week (last page here), the Southwest Precinct – West Seattle and South Park – has had 41 confirmed “shots fired” (meaning confirmed because of shell casings and/or property damage and/or victims), second after the South Precinct, which has had 111.

LilWash August 19, 2017 (8:12 pm)

It sounded like someone unloaded a clip. I’m on 18th & Barton and there were a ton of rapid shots and about 3 minutes later the sirens started.

Dani August 19, 2017 (8:17 pm)

On 17th and Barton, definitely saw some guys jump into a white van or SUV and speed off.

WSB August 19, 2017 (8:18 pm)

One vehicle was described as a white Mercedes SUV, the other described only as a ~~black~~ (updated after our crew talked with police at the scene) dark-colored vehicle.

Netters August 19, 2017 (8:18 pm)

I literally just heard this and thought it was fireworks. There were many shots.

Kerri August 19, 2017 (8:25 pm)

We counted at least 8 shots and they were one right after another. We are on 15th and Barton.

miws August 19, 2017 (8:25 pm)

16th just a few doors north of Barton.

Although it didn’t sound exactly like the fireworks I normally hear around here figured it was. Even paused to try and remember if there was a Seahawks game today.

Mike

Lo August 19, 2017 (8:26 pm)

I heard a number of shots. Police dispatched minutes later.

Concerned August 19, 2017 (9:13 pm)

Wow, there sure seems to be a lot of activity around the 16th/17th and Barton /Henderson area. I feel bad for the innocent people living in this area that have to deal with this BS.

On a side note since the south precinct is mentioned. A friend witnessed 2 cars with one shooting at the other at an intersection in the Rainier /Skyway area around noon yesterday and I didn’t see one mention of it in the news. Sad when something like that becomes so “normal” it’s not even reported

WSB August 19, 2017 (9:31 pm)

It’s not that it’s “normal,” it’s a matter of whether you have someone covering breaking news in the area. I don’t think that area does. The Rainier Valley Post morphed into a business guide a few years back. If by “the news” you mean citywide media outlets – without injury or death, or some really bizarre circumstances, it generally won’t hit their radar either. And that would have been the case 10 years ago (before I left TV) as much as today. TV’s market area covers 22 counties. Wouldn’t it be something, though, if gunfire were so rare that it would be a major regional story regardless of victims or damage … Anyway, we just went back over after we heard about the second discovery; updating the story now. – TR

Sparton on Barton August 21, 2017 (12:07 pm)

My dwelling is one the townhouses on the right in the first picture and we had house full of children, from a newborn to about 11 years old, plus the adults. They had just recently came inside from playing ball, skateboarding and the like in the same alley not more than 30 minutes earlier. All were crying/screaming, “I’m scared Mommy/Daddy!” One shot a few degrees up and tot left and who knows.

This has to end and as a vet I have zero qualms putting a terrorist in the ground.

John J August 21, 2017 (4:00 pm)

The immediate response and solution is to get who ever was involved off the streets. But being re-active rather than pro-active is really easy. The hard part is supporting these neighborhoods that have generations of mistreatment and under funding for community programs and projects. Nothing will change by just locking these people up and complaining, and I am not saying that’s what’s happening here. Get involved and create opportunity.

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