UPDATE: ‘Scenes of violence’ response in Gatewood

ORIGINAL REPORT: If you’re wondering about the sizable Seattle Fire “scenes of violence” response in the 6700 block of 36th SW in Gatewood: Police say one person who was “in crisis” is being taken to Harborview Medical Center. No word on his condition.

ADDED: The victim’s father says in the comment section below that he did not survive.

ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: As also noted below, a memorial service is planned next Saturday, and a crowdfunding page has been set up for the family.

ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Important information we neglected to include earlier: If you are considering self-harm, the local 24-hour crisis line is 866-427-4747..

47 Replies to "UPDATE: 'Scenes of violence' response in Gatewood"

  • MG February 13, 2020 (7:01 pm)

    Thanks WSB for the info.  

  • Concerned neighbor February 13, 2020 (7:36 pm)

    Still see the police here. Wondering what happened and hope everyone is OK :(

  • Mandy February 13, 2020 (9:37 pm)

    This is a block away from me, so curious what happened. Any updates?

  • kitty February 14, 2020 (1:17 pm)

    my boyfriend got shot, fatal, that’s what happened

    • Claire February 16, 2020 (8:52 pm)

      I am so very sorry.

  • Jissy February 14, 2020 (5:49 pm)

    Iโ€™m so sorry, kitty.

  • Guy February 15, 2020 (11:31 am)

    Another shooting in West Seattle?

  • Ben Freitag February 15, 2020 (12:10 pm)

    This terrible tragedy was my fourteen year old son William.  We live three blocks away.  I reported to the Seattle police numerous times of William being threatened with firearms by individuals in the neighborhood and they never contacted me further.  Make no mistake, he was lured from our home minutes before the 911 call with a gun shot wound to the head and passed away the next morning in my arms.  I know it will not bring him back but those responsible need to be held accountable and I pray anyone with information will contact the Seattle Police immediately.  I know my sweet son is in a better place now but I miss him so much.    

    • WSB February 15, 2020 (1:02 pm)

      I am so sorry for your loss. Police gave no indication at the scene on Thursday that this was being investigated as a homicide but sometimes that can change. I won’t be able to reach them for followup information until Tuesday. If you have a case #, please let us know. – Tracy

      • Juana February 15, 2020 (1:33 pm)

        Case number 20-55966

      • Gatewood parent February 16, 2020 (9:22 pm)

        Ben, I echo Sarahโ€™s message. We are so sorry and heartbroken for your family and for Kitty. We knew Will as our sonโ€™s classmate since kindergarten. We cannot imagine the sadness you are experiencing. If there is anything you need from your community, we will be here for you. Sue and Barry

    • Sarah Babcock February 16, 2020 (4:20 pm)

      Ben I am truly sorry for your loss. McKenzie has known Will since elementary school and is absolutely heartbroken to hear that Will is gone. I know many of his friends would like to be at his service. If there is anything you and your family need please reach out. I canโ€™t imagine what you are going through. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Sarah

      • Darryl Henderson February 17, 2020 (10:22 am)

        Don’t ask people grieving to reach out, that puts onus on them which they may not be capable or willing to do.  Instead, if you really care, just show up with warm dinners, treats, etc. 

        • Sarah Babcock February 17, 2020 (6:16 pm)

          Donโ€™t be an a–ole Darryl. If you donโ€™t like what I put to the parents of my daughters friend then donโ€™t read it. There is no reason for you to comment. Many of his friends donโ€™t have a way to connect with his family. That is what you do when you care about someone, you reach out to the family and offer condolences and support. Find another post to comment on you jerk!Sarah

          • Rene Bibaud February 18, 2020 (7:13 am)

            Totally agree.  Mourn and support as you wish. Iโ€™m sorry to hear about this tragedy. Rene

          • Rene Bibaud February 18, 2020 (7:13 am)

            Totally agree.  Mourn and support as you wish. Iโ€™m sorry for your loss Rene

          • Vic February 18, 2020 (8:14 am)

            I think you can both be right. Let not assume the intentions of others we don’t know and just be there how we can. <3

    • Lucia February 16, 2020 (8:40 pm)

      I’m so sorry Ben, this is horrible. My heart aches at your loss. 

    • Lisa carmichael February 16, 2020 (9:34 pm)

      Iโ€™m so sorry for your loss. I lost my son on December 22nd, he was shot in the face and left on a logging road in Skykomish. Something needs to be done about this gun violence. May he Rest In Peace. Hugs to you mamma ๐Ÿ˜ข

    • Max February 17, 2020 (8:43 pm)

      I knew will. He was a good guy. He was sad, and had his own list of issues, but he would go out of his way to help others, and stand up for people who need it. If he messed up, he would apologize and make it right. I trusted him, and he shall live on in our hearts and minds. Iโ€™m sos prey for your loss, and I hope all ends well with you and the rest of your family. โค๏ธ

  • Shauna February 16, 2020 (8:48 pm)

    Our daughter, who has known William since kindergarten at Gatewood Elementary, is heartbroken. Peace to his grieving family and his WS community. 

  • Bonnie February 16, 2020 (8:53 pm)

    I am so sorry to hear this awful news. Is there an update in the case?

  • miws February 16, 2020 (8:55 pm)

    Condolences to you and your family, Ben… —Mike

  • McGruff February 16, 2020 (9:11 pm)

    Excuse me? A fourteen year old boy murdered in Seattle and it doesn’t even make the local news section of the Times? Something is really weird here. 

    • WSB February 16, 2020 (9:31 pm)

      As I noted, this was not being investigated as a crime at the time we were there Thursday night – sometimes that does change (the Jana Layman case is one recent WS example). I am trying again tomorrow to reach police but I am not likely to be able to until the media office reopens Tuesday, and there is no other current way to verify an investigation’s status/classification.

      • WSB February 17, 2020 (2:49 pm)

        I did reach an on-call SPD media liaison today, Det. Mark Jamieson. He says this case is not classified as a homicide.

  • ~Hockeywitch~ February 16, 2020 (9:15 pm)

    Ben, my condolences to your family and friends of his and your families. Your family is in my thoughts.

  • Borges February 16, 2020 (10:36 pm)

    Our condolences Ben, we are devastated to learn what happened to Will. We are so heartbroken for your loss.Borges family 

  • Sweeney February 16, 2020 (11:09 pm)

    Children being threatened with firearms and then killed? What is happening in our community? I am so sorry you, your family and friends have to face this horrible tragedy Mr. Freitag. We need to know what’s going on and address this. 

  • Wseattleite February 16, 2020 (11:24 pm)

    Ben,You have done so much to help me make my life better even with all my character flaws and poor decisions. Nothing will bring Will back as we knew him, but He left an indelible mark seen by Many and affected by More. That is his legacy. Few will ever attain it. Thanks to you and him for a bright blazing light of hope and guidance. Will carries on. an ember bright light is not be so casually earned  He remains ones of me heroes 

  • Rena February 17, 2020 (8:35 am)

    Mr. Freitag, our condolences to you and your family. We are so incredibly sorry for your loss. The Smith family

  • WSMom February 17, 2020 (3:23 pm)

    Any updates on this case? Such a tragedy… Condolences to his family…

  • Sadie February 17, 2020 (5:03 pm)

    Is there any vigil planned for the community to attend-or can we plan one?

    • WSB February 17, 2020 (5:28 pm)

      According to a community member who just emailed us, his memorial is at 11 am Saturday (Feb 22) at the LDS Church at 4001 44th SW. There is also a GoFundMe for the family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/our-beloved-will

      I will be adding those above in a bit, too.

  • Sarah Babcock February 17, 2020 (6:18 pm)

  • wendy February 17, 2020 (7:10 pm)

    So sorry for your loss Ben- We live across the street and saw Ben come and go…never did we imagine this kind of violence in this neighborhood. 

  • Concerned Parent February 17, 2020 (9:32 pm)

    I have no words, this is tragic. My 14 year old son went to elementary school with him briefly. Something is off. A teen was previously  threatened with guns, police never responded, he was lured out and this isnโ€™t a homicide?aa a parent of kids the same age in the same area, I am very concerned and not sure what to think. 

  • Brando Law February 17, 2020 (11:25 pm)

    I would like to pay homage to Will. Me and Will were really good friends and talked quite often, going to elementary together. Will was highly respected and the nicest most sincere person i had ever met. Such a beautiful soul. I love you very much Will. Words cannot describe how miserable I am right now. Sending so much love down here to up their brother. ๐Ÿ•Š๐Ÿ•Š๐Ÿ•Š

  • Concerned February 18, 2020 (10:14 am)

    How is there not more reporting on this story?  A local teen gets shot in the head and we have no 411?  Who are the suspect’s? What was the motive?

    • WSB February 18, 2020 (11:00 am)

      Police say this was a case of suicide.

      • sam February 19, 2020 (8:29 pm)

        Perhaps I missed it, but WSB has made it a point in the past to bring attention to suicide, providing the suicide hotline number. You comment, “…a case of suicide”. Why stop at that? No number? The parents believe there is more to the story, so I don’t want to conclude suicide so easily. Regardless, it is astonishing this story is not being reported more. I’ve always appreciated WSB’s frank, fact-based reporting, making an effort to find and tell the truth. I believe this story needs a follow-up by WSB. This was not simply a “loss.” His parents did not lose him. His life was taken, robbed, stolen…with a gun, I might add. Whose gun was it, and where and how did they acquire it?

        • WSB February 19, 2020 (10:20 pm)

          I’m sorry to have omitted our usual information about how to seek help, but this situation has been incremental; I’ve added it above. I have spoken to police twice (in addition to my co-publisher having spoken to police at the scene the night it happened). The truth is that this fatal shooting, which happened inside a home, was ruled a case of suicide. – TR

          • Sam February 21, 2020 (6:06 am)

            Thank you. Regardless of official cause of death (which I believe could use more investigation, despite what police say) Iโ€™d still like to know where and how the gun was acquired. I guess itโ€™s legal for a 14-year-old to have one so maybe this is a legally moot question? But still curious.I do send love and condolences to his family.

  • Juarez February 18, 2020 (10:31 am)

    • Juarez February 18, 2020 (10:41 am)

      William BenjaminFreitag on 2/6/2020 and 2/13/2020.Thank you all for all of the love, prayers and Friendship!

  • SVG February 18, 2020 (6:40 pm)

    A great spirit, a great soul. Rest well kind heart.

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