FOLLOWUP: Police release bus-camera video of High Point murder suspect

| Crime | High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

First – as reported here Saturday morning – police released still images of a person they say is the suspect they’re seeking in Thursday night’s High Point bus-stop murder. This morning, they have released video from Metro bus security cameras. Police said Friday that they believe the 37-year-old victim (who has not yet been publicly identified) and his killer were involved in a “disturbance” on board before exiting the bus on the west side of the 35th and Morgan intersection, where the shooting happened. Here’s the description of the suspect: “16-21 years old, 5’7” to 5’9”, has a thin build, and was last seen wearing a dark gray hoody & jeans.” If you have any info on his identity, the SPD tipline is 206-233-5000, or call 911.

Demarie August 13, 2018 (10:57 am)

He used an ORCA card to pay the bus fare, wonder if they have tried using that avenue to identify him?

AMD August 13, 2018 (1:47 pm)

Not necessarily. You can walk up and buy one with cash and load it with cash. If it was provided by an employer or paid for with a card AND is not borrowed/stolen from someone else, sure.
- Demarie August 14, 2018 (1:11 pm)
  
  I know all of this, but figure it could be worth a shot to catch/identify the person of interest. Better then nothing.

I. Ponder August 13, 2018 (11:06 am)

Suspect swiped an Orca card. Aren’t those associated with an account identity?

ktrapp August 13, 2018 (11:25 am)

Well I’m sure the police have already looked into this, but it seems clear that he used an Orca card, or some other electronic payment for the fare. I know mine keeps a log of every time I tap it, and it’s linked to an account with my name on it. Unless he’s using a stolen card, it seems like something like that could be traced.

quora August 13, 2018 (11:37 am)

This is a good start. The cops need to find those ladies the perp was talking to before he got on the bus. It is possible they know who he is.

Jesse Wilson August 13, 2018 (11:41 am)

He used an orca card, find him with the account details.

dee kalani August 13, 2018 (11:46 am)

looks like he used some type of bus pass/card can the police pull that information at that time ?

Metrorider August 13, 2018 (12:04 pm)

He clearly pays with a bus pass when he gets onboard. Is there no way to track that card #?

Wsresident August 13, 2018 (12:27 pm)

The parents of those kids; if only they knew. Heartbreaking.

miws August 13, 2018 (12:27 pm)

I *may* be wrong on this, as I’ve had a Regional Reduced Fare Permit Orca card for years, but I *believe* that if a card was purchased at a retailer or a ticket vending machine using cash, and then the card was *not* registered on the ORCA website, it wouldn’t be traceable——Mike https://www.orcacard.com/ERG-Seattle/p1_001.do

KBear August 13, 2018 (12:28 pm)

Obviously they can trace the ORCA card. Duh, people! Do you really think the police haven’t done that already? What they’re asking YOU to do is let them know if you recognize the man in the picture—who may or may not be the rightful owner of the ORCA card.

gxnx August 13, 2018 (12:36 pm)

Can be easily track by the phone he is using…..Smile you are on camera and your are being tracked too!!

CAM August 13, 2018 (7:30 pm)

Big brother is not yet that advanced. Something like that would also be unlikely to stand up to a constitutional challenge, and you should be very happy about that.

Ws prayers August 13, 2018 (12:55 pm)

He is a kid! Is disturbing he doesn’t seem threatening at all! One thing I noticed is when he got on his hood was off he sat in the front body language seemed relaxed when he got up to stand at the back door hos hood was up usually sign of wanting to cover up or hide and the way he put his hands in his pockets like he was getting ready I wonder if it was just a disturbance or something more targeted prayers still for his friends and family as well as the victims and our community

Ws prayers August 13, 2018 (12:58 pm)

Or he felt threatened-felt he needed to guard and protect himself -ugh seriously wonder what his motive was …

CAM August 13, 2018 (1:03 pm)

For those wondering, the ORCA card is only linked to a person if it is registered. There is no requirement to register it. People do so in order to have it automatically reload or to track it if it’s stolen but otherwise they have no idea who bought or is using a specific card.

JeffK August 13, 2018 (2:27 pm)

But the card swipes are probably registered and the suspect may be able to be tracked to areas he frequents.
- AMD August 13, 2018 (5:02 pm)
  
  There’s no way to verify if those swipes were made by him or someone else (I lend my cards out regularly). I wouldn’t blame police for not verifying all of the Orca swipes as the first course of action, especially when there are photos of him and eyewitnesses. It seems like it would be resource-intensive for info that only may or may not even be the guy.

Guy Olson August 13, 2018 (1:16 pm)

One could only hope that this young man fired in self defense. Sad either way you look at it.

Seattlite August 13, 2018 (1:28 pm)

I don’t quite get your comment. But, illegal guns in the hands of dangerous people is very scary for the innocents on the streets of West Seattle. Also, the fact that this guy was carrying an illegal gun on the bus with innocent bus riders is terrifying.
- Guy Olson August 14, 2018 (7:17 am)
  
  Whatever whatever, it’s a sad situation all around, get a bicycle.
Ws prayers August 13, 2018 (1:35 pm)

Agreed so sad either way-this is literally America…city suburb west Seattle these are our kids our youth the next generation -tears and prayers for all involved and our community and our country
- Ws prayers August 13, 2018 (1:49 pm)
  
  Makes me seriously reconsider our 2nd amendment -seems it is way too easy to get and use guns-we gotten away from fist fights long gone are the days of boys or men combined with testosterone duking it out and making up-it’s pull out a weapon and kill-lack of care for life is incredible-I’m sure when this youngin has regrets-and it’s too late now so sad and disturbing
- Ws prayers August 13, 2018 (1:51 pm)
  
  Makes me seriously reconsider our 2nd amendment -seems it is way too easy to get and use guns-we gotten away from fist fights long gone are the days of boys or men combined with testosterone duking it out and making up-it’s pull out a weapon and kill-lack of care for life is incredible-it what music the media somewhow this generation is being taught this message -I’m sure this youngin has regrets-and it’s too late now so sad and disturbing
MB August 13, 2018 (9:55 pm)

@guy Olson i know the man who was shot. There wasn’t an aggressive bone in his body. He was a very passive man. He was a good guy and came from a really good family!
- Ws prayers August 13, 2018 (10:29 pm)
  
  MB I’m sorry for ur loss-and for ur friends and family…that are grieving .What is going on in our society? So troubled by this event….being I ride the 128 and the 21 bus all the time…trying to make sense of this senseless act
- Guy Olson August 14, 2018 (7:15 am)
  
  Sorry for your heartache and loss.
Justice44Mike August 14, 2018 (1:00 pm)

I agree

newnative August 13, 2018 (1:19 pm)

Orca cards may not necessarily be registered. Before I started my job across the bridge, I had an Orca card that I kept refilling at kiosks, many times with cash. However, an Orca should be trackable, as in they should be able to track where the suspect normally gets on and off, perhaps where he lives or works? and if the suspect and victim have a common denominator. That all said, the police might know already and just want to collect more witness testimony/corraboration.

MJ August 13, 2018 (1:40 pm)

CSI West Seattle style.

Jon Wright August 13, 2018 (2:32 pm)

We frequently hear how SPD has difficulty filling their openings for police officers. Who knew there were so many prospective detectives right here on the Blog?

EggplantM August 13, 2018 (5:25 pm)

This guy is completely familiar to me. I used to (a year ago) ride for 21 express in the morning going into the city, I caught it at the Walgreens stop around 8 AM. A few times, I’ve see him get on there. Don’t know his identity but he must live around this ara? I’m on morgan and 37th.

WTF August 13, 2018 (9:08 pm)

They will find him.

zark00 August 14, 2018 (10:58 am)

It’s a kid, I can’t get over that this is just a kid. A kid murderer. Someone said above that he used an illegal weapon. How do we know? Just curious if they found the gun or something? Guns are too cheap and too easy to get in the U.S. Gun fetishists have made this country a more dangerous place to live.

Rob August 15, 2018 (3:31 pm)

“Someone said above that he used an illegal weapon. How do we know?”Because you can’t legally buy or own a gun at 16…. Duh
- WSB August 15, 2018 (3:58 pm)
  
  When Zark posted that comment, the suspect had not yet been arrested and was described as being likely 16 to 21, so unlawful firearm possession because of age was not a certainty at that time.

Sorry, comment time is over.