West Seattle, Washington
02 Wednesday
No special guest at last night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, so it was a shorter-than-usual meeting devoted to police updates and community concerns. Read More
(UPDATED 10:09 AM THURSDAY with additional information from police)
9:43 PM: We’re working to find out more about a police search in the 39th SW/SW Cloverdale area. This is related to gunfire somewhere else – no injuries reported so far that we have heard. Police were following a vehicle with suspects in it and are reported to have two people in custody but are looking for others. More when we get it.
9:50 PM: The search is around a fairly wide area, including part of Westwood to the east, and a K-9 team is involved.
9:56 PM: Police tell us this started around 21st and Graham [map] on Puget Ridge.
10:11 PM: While our crew is off checking on that scene, we’ve just heard via scanner that another person has been taken into custody near 37th/Cloverdale, and “weapon recovered” (they had been looking for a gun but reportedly had not found it in the car).
10:16 PM: Part of 21st SW is closed at Graham, our crew reports, while Gang Unit members are investigating. (photo added above) The shell casings from the original gunfire incident are clearly marked on the street here. We’re told they expect to keep the street closed another half-hour or so. Meantime, back at the Upper Fauntleroy scene, officers have confirmed to dispatchers that they do not believe any other suspects are at large.
ADDED 10:19 AM THURSDAY: Just in via SPD Blotter, before we even checked in with SPD looking for additional details:
Three juvenile suspects, all 17 -year-old males, were arrested Wednesday evening following a drive-by shooting in West Seattle after they crashed the car they were driving. A handgun was recovered at the scene.
Just before 9:30 p.m. officers responded to reports of shots fired at a residence in the 6300 block of 21st Avenue SW. Witnesses provided officers with a suspect vehicle description and officers located a possible suspect vehicle nearby. The vehicle fled from officers but crashed a short distance away. Two of the three occupants were taken into custody at the vehicle, but the third suspect fled on foot. A few minutes later he was located and arrested after a K-9 track. That suspect had a 9mm handgun in his possession.
While investigating the incident, officers learned from the victim that the three suspects were known to the victim and had been in a long-standing disagreement with her boyfriend. The victim also informed officers that approximately ten minutes prior to the shooting incident, the same suspects shot out the back window of a car she and her boyfriend were driving in while on Delridge. That shooting was not reported to police at the time. The boyfriend had left the scene prior to the police arrival.
Officers examined the victim’s vehicle and discovered several apparent bullet holes and a damaged rear window. The scene was processed and the victim’s car was impounded. There were no reported injuries.
The three suspects were later booked into the Youth Services Center. Southwest Precinct detectives will handle the follow-up investigation.
The Highland Park Elementary School PTA invites you to have fun with them on Friday night – free! It’s the fourth annual Square Dance, 6-9 pm at the school (1012 SW Trenton), starting with dinner until 7, then dancing with a live string band. “All ages and abilities welcome (and) every kid goes home with a pumpkin.” No admission charge at all – dinner and dancing are free, as are the pumpkins – if you are able to donate, it’s a fundraiser for the PTA, but if not, they’ll still be thrilled to see you.
5:33 PM: The wind arrived in time for the Wednesday commute home, as forecast. So far, here are the closest problems we’re hearing about:
(Added: Washington State Patrol photo)
-NB Highway 509 is reported to be blocked at Cloverdale (just east of West Seattle) by downed power lines.
-Power’s out in southeast White Center and parts south for more than 3,800 customers.
The National Weather Service‘s wind-advisory alert remains in effect through 11 pm. We’ll update with any other storm-related problems we hear about – please let us know about anything you see, text/voice 206-293-6302. Thanks!
5:52 PM: According to the scanner, a tree is blocking westbound Sylvan Way at Orchard – that would be just west of Delridge Way SW.
7:22 PM: According to the City Light map, most of the people who lost power in White Center and points south now have it back – that outage is down to ~200 customers.
9:24 PM: The photo is from Xana, who explains she heard a huge crack/pop sound from her apartment in the 2300 block of Bonair SW around 7 pm:
I walked out back to where the walkway meets the parking lot and shazam! Was shocked to see the tree in our back courtyard broke and fell and is blocking the entire walkway. If someone had been walking there they would have been crushed or impaled!
The person in her photo is posed by the downed tree to show the scale.
MIDNIGHT UPDATE: WSDOT says in an e-mail update that NB 509 has reopened.
Four reports in West Seattle Crime Watch today:
BURGLARY THIS MORNING: Just received this from Dawn:
Our house was broken into this morning between 10:30-11:00 am. We live on the corner of 49th and Hanford. [map] Tried to break into a window and kick in the basement door. When that didn’t work, they used something to pry open the front door and shatter the frame and lock. Luckily they didn’t take much and no one was hurt so we are grateful for that. Just wanted the neighbors to be on alert and ask if anyone saw anything. Our house is on a VERY visible corner so it’s surprising a break-in was attempted.
FAUNTLEROY BURGLARY FOLLOWUP: We requested and obtained the report narrative from the Fauntleroy Park-area burglary covered here Tuesday afternoon. Police got the call just before 3 pm. For one, the report answers the questions about a description – the report says a witness saw someone climbing through a second-floor window and could only describe clothing – dark stocking cap, dark hoodie or jacket, tan or brown work pants, dark shoes. Then at some point before the report was filed Tuesday evening, police made contact with the resident, who gave them “video of a suspect at the front door,” described as “a light-complexion male, black jacket with a red line, black pants, gray backpack.” The house has an alarm that the report says was tripped – which likely explains the loud siren-like sound we heard while on scene. Nothing was reported taken, at least as of the report’s filing.
CAR PROWLED: From RP:
I woke this morning to find my SUV had been prowled. All the contents in the glove compartment were on the driver seat and it appears they were looking for something in particular as my jackets shoes and headphones were in the back seat. We are somewhat at fault. My Husband left the truck unlocked and the kids turned off the porch light before bed. My driveway is completely dark and out of view from the main street. I live near 21st & Roxbury. [map]
CARS VANDALIZED: From Maari in Gatewood:
On Tuesday morning, my neighborhood block was hit by a car that drove down the street and broke about 5 car windows. I live on 36th Ave SW between Willow and Holly. [map]
If you have a tip for SPD, refer to incident 2017-909470.
NEXT CRIME/SAFETY MEETING: Did you miss last night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting? We’ll have a report before tonight’s out. Meantime, the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network just announced that City Councilmember Lisa Herbold will be their guest next week, 6:30 pm Tuesday, October 24, at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).
(WSB photo showing Easy Street and Corner Pocket at the Hamm Building, March 2016)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Tonight, as it does several nights most months, Easy Street Records is hosting an in-store concert.
As usual, it’ll be in the space where Easy Street operates its wildly popular café by day. But if Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan had his way, he’d have some extra space for events like that by now – downstairs, in the space that was long known as the Corner Pocket.
Vaughan sat down with WSB yesterday afternoon to talk about his hopes of taking it over – which, he says, hit a sudden and mysterious roadblock. So far, other key players in the saga are declining comment, so we’re telling Vaughan’s story, which he contacted us about so that you would know where things stand.
First, the Corner Pocket backstory:
The abrupt shutdown of the Corner Pocket happened last December, as we first told you during breaking-news coverage of a police raid there. Read More
Three quick biznotes:
KOKORAS GREEK GRILL: Readers noted that the newest incarnation of this Morgan Junction restaurant at 6400 California SW has been dark for more than a week. Weekend before last, a handwritten sign on the door said it was closed due to “employee conflict.” Then that disappeared. We tried calling and only got a recording saying the mailbox was full. A tipster this week said it appeared the space was being emptied. We stopped by today and noticed someone doing work inside, and asked him. Remodeling, was his reply, but that’s all he could say.
FLEURT: Remodeling is also what’s happening at this Junction shop (4536 California SW). From proprietors Sam and Keonii:
Wanted to let you know that each year at this time we do a mini makeover and refresh the shop for the holidays. Our work began (Tuesday) and we hope to be open again no later than Friday this week. We are super-excited for our new look and another new business venture that we will be announcing soon.
MATADOR: Just up the block from Fleurt, Matador (4546 California SW) sent word they’ve launched a beverage happy hour. 4-6 pm daily and featuring beer, wine, well drinks, and specialty cocktails, according to general manager Kyle Martin.
(WSB photo)
Thanks to Celeste for the tip – the West Seattle Junction Post Office’s drive-up/ride-up mailbox is out of service again. It’s only been two months since the new one was installed, more than seven months after its predecessor was taken away, too badly damaged to fix. We’re checking to see what happened this time.
(Fall colors at Myrtle Reservoir Park – photographed by Steve Mohundro, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Big Wednesday night! Yes, we know the weather might go bad, but there’s always a chance the forecast won’t pan out, so here are the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
PUMPKIN CARVING: From the WSB West Seattle Halloween Etc. Guide, pumpkin carving tonight at Arthur’s in The Admiral District, 5-7 pm, with extended happy hour for participants, plus prizes! (2311 California SW)
CLIMATE-CHANGE CONVERSATION: Concerned or confused about climate change? 6 pm potluck, 7 pm presentation/conversation at Peace Lutheran Church, all welcome – details here. (39th SW/SW Thistle)
SISTERS, LIVE IN-STORE: See local faves Sisters live at Easy Street Records, 7 pm, free, all ages. (California/Alaska)
MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm on the lower level of The Kenney, it’s the quarterly meeting of the Morgan Community Association. See the agenda in our calendar listing. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COUNCIL CANDIDATES @ DELRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club, the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meets. The agenda highlight, from chair Mat McBride:
Our guests this month are City Council 8 candidates Jon Grant and Teresa Mosqueda, who will be there to answer questions about the job they’re applying for. NOTE – one of these two people will be your elected representative in a few weeks. This is a great opportunity to make a personal and community connection with them. The DNDC is open and welcome to all. Tell your friends.
(1116 SW Holden)
WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES: The October edition is tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm:
Celebrating Filipino American Heritage Month, WordsWest Literary Series welcomes award-winning poet Roberto Ascalon and poet and playwright Robert Flor for “Home and Away,” an evening of poetry ranging from the unforgiving city streets to a small fishing town in Alaska, inquiring into the nature of place and community.
Full details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)
34TH DISTRICT REPUBLICANS: The local GOP organization for West Seattle, White Center, Vashon, and part of Burien meets tonight at 7 pm at Seattle Open Door Church in Burien. (625 SW 149th)
DEADGRASS: 8-11 pm at Parliament Tavern, with the music of Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
’70S GLAM SKATE WITH DJ MCLOVIN: 8:30-11 pm at Southgate Roller Rink, adult skate with 21+ bar. 21+. (9646 17th SW)
LOTS MORE HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT/BEYOND – see the full list on our complete calendar page.
Combine costumes and community … and you get a chance to support student music via the West Seattle Community Orchestras! Tickets are now available for the WSCO gala, starring – here’s the announcement:
Masquerade for Musicians: West Seattle Community Orchestras’ 2017 Gala
Enjoy special music! Partake of scrumptious food! Giggle at the costumed diners! Dance with the dazzling sounds of the West Seattle Big Band!
What more could you ask for?!
West Seattle Community Orchestras (WSCO) invite the community to enjoy a very special Gala evening Saturday, October 28, from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the Alki Masonic Lodge, 4736 40th Ave. SW.
This year’s theme is Masquerade for Musicians — A mysterious night benefiting student music in West Seattle. Diners are encouraged to contribute to the fun by donning a costume — Halloween-themed or otherwise.
You can help WSCO provide FREE participation for student musicians while having fun! Join us for a great evening of music, dining, and dancing to the swinging sounds of the West Seattle Big Band — a great local asset and our gracious event sponsor.
Andrew Emory, WSCO board member, French horn player extraordinaire, and our Gala host, extends an invitation:
Tickets are on sale now ($35 adults 18+, $20 students and seniors): Go here.
Wear a costume — or not! — but don’t forget your dancing shoes!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:02 AM: Good morning! Wind’s still on the way later today, according to the National Weather Service, but so far this morning it’s a standard commute – no incidents reported in/from West Seattle.
8:06 AM: Very slow going again today – most routes to the bridge are in “red” on the SDOT map – but still no incidents reported.
Two weeks until Halloween, and the first version of our West Seattle Halloween (Etc.) Guide is live … we say “first” because we know there are more Halloween/Harvest/Dia de Los Muertos events out there that you’ll be sending us – editor@westseattleblog.com, nothing fancy needed, just the basic what/when/where/who. Meantime, go here to see what’s in the guide now!
P.S. The photo at right was reader-contributed in October 2007 – and we’d love to see your custom jack o’lanterns this October too – same e-mail address, once you commence carving!
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