WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire report investigated; drug suspect out; weekend mystery solved

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Three notes tonight in West Seattle Crime Watch:

GUNFIRE REPORT INVESTIGATED: We just went over to South Delridge to investigate a report of police investigating possible drive-by gunfire. We found officers near 16th and Cambridge; they told us they had not found any evidence of gunfire so far – no shell casings, property damage, and/or victim(s). ADDED: A texter, however, reported three casings. We’ll check for the report in the morning.

DRUG SUSPECT OUT: Thanks to the tipster who spotted this even before we made our nightly jail-register check. One day after being charged, High Point drug suspect Richard S. Schaan is out of jail. He posted bond tonight on $50,000 bail.

WEEKEND MYSTERY SOLVED: On Saturday night, we got a few tips about police searching parts of Gatewood and Sunrise Heights with a K9 team. We spotted them on SW Thistle but despite driving several blocks in areas where the tipsters had seen police, we never found the original scene.

No related call turned up on Tweets by Beat, either. But an emailed question on Sunday finally revealed the original scene, and we were able to find out from SPD today that it was a case of domestic violence – those are usually kept off the public logs. The suspect they were seeking was finally found and arrested in White Center and booked into jail.

Alex S. September 25, 2019 (11:54 am)

“Drug suspect out…”For the umpteenth time – and goes back to selling drugs. Another “win” for the Seattle criminal’s justice system

WSB September 25, 2019 (12:38 pm)

Actually, that was rather high bail for a nonviolent crime. Bail is not supposed to be set in order to keep someone in jail indefinitely.
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/bail/

I doubt there is anywhere in the country that this case would have gone differently somehow to this point. He was arrested, he was charged, and a relatively high bail set. The question is, how will the rest of the case unfold? Far more cases go to plea agreements than to trial. He has a record so that means a higher “offender score” that would factor into sentencing if he pleads/is found guilty. – TR
- WiseWoman October 6, 2019 (12:57 pm)
  
  WSB thanks for link to ABA awesome info!!

Ex-Westwood Resident September 25, 2019 (2:40 pm)

It was not high. He posted a bond on $50,000 bail, which is typically 10%, or in this case $5,000..Considering the amount and type of drugs he was in possession of and the seven times he was previously convicted, with three of those for selling narcotics, the amount of bail was laughable. It should have been $50,000 for each prior conviction, plus $10,000 for each gram of drugs he had in his possession.

WiseWoman October 6, 2019 (12:55 pm)

I concur with you on this. As a person who has experienced being wrongly in jail with a bail of $275,000 for my boyfriend assaulting me, The lower bails nowadays would allow someone who is doing right or is falsely accused to get out, keep their job, and gather evidence to prove their innocence. I agree repeat offenders should be held longer and a drug dealer should be held at a higher bail because of access to money. The system caters to everyone with money. In my case the police believed the lies of a well known business owner (true perpetrator) who had a friendship wit a certain officer (now retired) that I have never met who made untrue police report and unjustly committed perjury. The best way to stay out the broken system is to join the ones who legislate for changes.

Bob September 25, 2019 (4:40 pm)

Any updates on the shooting?

WSB September 25, 2019 (5:04 pm)

Only that it was indeed categorized as “drive-by shooting, no injuries.”

Andrew September 26, 2019 (2:15 am)

How were you able to find out what type and amount of drugs that were involved? Would be nice to know where I could place future inquiries to find info like that? Thank You.