UPDATE: Shooting on Alki

(Added: WSB photos)

2:48 AM: Thanks for the texts. SFD is at 58th/Alki on a “scenes of violence” call, and texters say they heard shots – we’re working to find out more.

2:52 AM: Via emergency radio, we’ve heard that one patient has been taken to the hospital.

3:01 AM: SFD is also being called in to treat someone who’s been “punched in the head.” Meantime, the main incident is being described as a “shots call.” Our crew should be there shortly to try to find out more.

3:21 AM: At the scene, our crew says casing markers are visible on the water side of Alki Avenue, across from the Wheel Fun Rentals lot, in the grass and on the path. We haven’t yet been able to talk to police to find out more about the patient taken to the hospital.

3:28 AM: Dispatcher has just reported that another gunshot victim, possibly related to this, has just shown up at a hospital in Federal Way.

3:52 AM: Just talked with a lieutenant at the scene. He says they’re still trying to piece together what happened, but he confirmed that the person taken to the hospital was shot. No one reported in custody so far. They’ll be clearing out of the scene soon.

4:23 AM: Added more photos. Still awaiting info on the condition of the victim taken to Harborview, and the status of the investigation, so we’ll be updating this story later this morning. Meantime, our archives indicate this is the first time a person has been shot on Alki since the still-unsolved shooting that killed 23-year-old Jordan Thomas in 2017.

9:14 AM: Just in via SPD Blotter:

Detectives are investigating after a 21-year-old man was shot and injured in the Alki neighborhood early Sunday morning.

Police were dispatched to reports of someone shot in the 2600 block of Alki Avenue Southwest. Officers spoke with witnesses who stated the victim was sitting at one of the fire pits when he was approached by a group of unidentified men. The witnesses said there was some type of fight disturbance and then shots were fired. They said the group scattered leaving behind the victim with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the head.

Seattle Fire Department Medics took the victim to Harborview Medical Center for further treatment.

Gang unit detectives are now investigating and are asking anyone with information to please call the tip line at 206-233-5000.

MONDAY NOTE: We’re still trying to get the full report; SPD told us it’s not releasable yet. No arrests; the investigation remains active. What additional information we received today clarified that robbery was the apparent motive; from SPD, “It appears two victims were at Alki beach having a bonfire. While walking back to get the car, one victim was confronted by a group of four. At one point, someone said ‘what do you have in your pockets?’ The victim said a cell phone and wallet. At that point the group of four began assaulting the first victim. The second victim arrived and jumped in to assist in the fight. A moment later gunshots sounded and one of the two victims was stuck by gunfire. Both victims were transported to HMC, one for the gunshot wound and one for the injuries from the assault.” No description of the attackers, nor is there any more information about whether the gunshot victim who turned up in Federal Way was related to this.

40 Replies to "UPDATE: Shooting on Alki"

  • Jason February 2, 2020 (3:11 am)

    The initial call that came over the scanner was for a GSW to the head. Mentioned the person was semi-conscious and there was a white truck that may have been involved in the shooting. 

  • Alki Resident February 2, 2020 (3:23 am)

    Six gunshots, male shot in the back of the head, really gruesome scene. 

  • Scubafrog February 2, 2020 (3:40 am)

    I heard the police cars, sooo many of them at about 2:30am.  I hope everyone’s ok, or will recover — sadly only 5% survive gsw’s to the head, the location of the bullet wound’s everything (needless to say).   

  • Seattlite February 2, 2020 (6:37 am)

    Policies matter.

  • West Seattle Lurker February 2, 2020 (8:28 am)

    The Don Armeni boat ramp parking lot is a hub of illegal activity after nightfall. The city and police pay someone to come and close the Hamilton Park overlook every night, it has gates that can be locked,  but the Don Armeni parking lot, boat ramp sits open all night, and attracts a lively crowd to say the least. 

  • Shelley February 2, 2020 (1:43 pm)

    Spd interdepartmental email said “shot in head”. He was running to the aid of his own brother who was being robbed after leaving a bonfire and going to his car. Four suspects approached the brother and robbed him and told him to empty his pockets. They got in a fight and the victim ran to help his brother and was shot in the head.

  • Zach February 2, 2020 (2:57 pm)

    Takes 4 guys to rob 1. Coward. They are nothing more than cowards and will be caught. Theres tons of cameras on Alki

    • alki_2008 February 3, 2020 (10:41 am)

      Where are the cameras? The ones installed on the light poles aren’t on, because a bunch of people complained about privacy. Those same people will probably complain about crime too and how police aren’t able to catch criminals.

      • WSB February 3, 2020 (10:54 am)

        Police usually canvass for business cameras and were in fact dscussing several possibilities in radio exchanges during the shooting aftermath.

        • alki_2008 February 3, 2020 (7:39 pm)

          Has there been any update on the case?  Any descriptions of suspects or vehicles that the public should keep an eye out for – was it targeted or random?  I’m a bit surprised at how little new coverage there has been of this.  The 3rd ave shooting and suspect capture is still making headlines, but barely a peep about this Alki shooting.  Although I did read in papers that the gunshot was believed to be “non life-threatening”.

          • WSB February 3, 2020 (8:13 pm)

            SPD told me today the full report is not yet available. What they could tell me, from an internal summary, is pretty close to what the SPD Blotter post said. No descriptive info. As for other media coverage, sorry, you’re stuck with us. We get up at 3:30 am and go out to the scene. Nobody else showed up. If it hadn’t appeaed in SPD Blotter, frankly, nobody else would have mentioned it at all.

          • L February 4, 2020 (12:20 pm)

            You are appreciated, most families have little to no information when a loved one is a victim of a tragedy right away, so, many times they search for news coverage in hopes of learning more.It is true that you all truly were the first resource with any information 

  • So and So February 2, 2020 (4:15 pm)

    Shelley is right, that is exactly what happened.  Both victims were unarmed and were robbed.  When being overtaken and trying to fight back one of the thieves went to get a gun and shot one of the victims in the head.  Being a family friend I have been told the police didn’t even contact the family of the person shot.  Good work police!  Wouldnt want to interrupt your weekend!  😠

    • Rocky raccoon February 2, 2020 (6:44 pm)

      Don’t rip on the cops before you know for sure what happened and why. Low morale at SPD is a big part of the crime problem. Don’t make it worse unnecessarily.

      • WSB February 2, 2020 (7:01 pm)

        Radio exchanges indicated there were relatives at the hospital and someone close to the victim arriving at the scene at one point. No knowledge of how they were notified, but between that and checking with other hospitals for possible victims (the one in Federal Way is not mentioned in the SPD Blotter blurb, so I hope to get the full report narrative tomorrow), there was a lot going on, on many fronts. I hope the victim is doing better – SFD said he was assessed as being in serious condition when transported – TR

    • JG February 2, 2020 (7:11 pm)

      so and so:  If the kid is shot in the head how is it you think the cops know who his family is or where they live? With cell phones we don’t even have phone books any more to try to find people.  And that’s the job of homicide detectives and the ME’s office.  Beat cops have to go spend 5 hours writing insanely long reports after interviewing witnesses. Perhaps they thought the kid who wasn’t shot would call/text the family also.

      • L February 2, 2020 (9:36 pm)

        Here’s a thought, maybe the victim had id in pocket and the paramedics recovered it. GASP mind blown

        • Sixbuck February 3, 2020 (12:00 am)

          Here’s a thought.  Maybe the victim of a ROBBERY did not have ID on him because he was robbed of his wallet.  Maybe a guy with a bullet in his head is unable to give his name. Gasp…think. 

          • Glen Buhlmann February 4, 2020 (12:23 am)

            Here’s a thought.. maybe the fact that he was running to the aid *of his brother* had something to do with it. idk.

      • L February 2, 2020 (10:52 pm)

        Cops have this one technology that is super cool, it like runs a person’s name and can even scan that barcode on the back of your driver’s license and stuff.I mean seriously, do you really think a police officer is going to cross his fingers and hope that the other victim is going to notify the family? Btw, homicide and medical examiners are not always involved. Besides, the police and/or paramedics are always the first on scene. Where do you think the detectives and m.e’s get all their information?

  • ltfd February 2, 2020 (5:50 pm)

    Gang scum robbing folks.

  • Yma February 2, 2020 (5:54 pm)

    Perhaps the police were busy getting the injured to the hospital, securing the scene, gathering evidence & trying to find the perps. Yes, the family should be informed.

  • So and So February 2, 2020 (6:03 pm)

    Who knows Yma.  The family, which I am a part of, would know that if they communicated with us.  We called the police department and they said detectives do not work the weekends.  You can try to defend them but we know the truth.  There is quite more to this story than said here.  This is why people continue to get shot.  Nothing is done about it.  

    • WSB February 2, 2020 (7:11 pm)

      Just one note: Our crew saw detectives (Gang Unit, marked uniforms, for example) at the scene, so whoever told you detectives don’t work weekends, that was bad info. We have covered a multitude of incidents all hours, all days. They may not keep office hours, but they are called out. (The Media Relations Unit who wrote the summary is a detective, too.)

    • alki_2008 February 8, 2020 (11:53 pm)

      @so and so – You want to update your story now that more details, based on camera footage, has been released?

  • Lost February 2, 2020 (6:58 pm)

    Apparently the victim is critical. This really sucks. 

  • Mj February 2, 2020 (10:30 pm)

    This is sad, but I thought the beach is supposed to be closed after 10 pm.  Did the parks department change the hours?

    • alki_2008 February 3, 2020 (10:46 am)

      I think it’s 11pm.  There’s usually a vehicle that rides along the boardwalk or beach at night to tell people to clear off the beach and put out their fires around that time.  But sometimes people go out there after midnight and start up again.

  • L February 2, 2020 (10:39 pm)

    I will say one thing, investigations are a tedious process. I can only imagine all the people at the scene and how much time it could take to speak to each one. Also, the time it takes to identify the locations of every relevant camera, recover and then view all the footage. If the family is reading this…patience can be agony but I have faith this will be solved for you. Also, it is well known that, when there is a group involved, the group always has that one person who breaks. Especially when you take away their guns and make them pull up their pants.Prayers for your boy…

  • WSCurmudgeon February 2, 2020 (11:25 pm)

    Congratulations to WSB for good coverage of yet another violent incident at Alki. I empathize with the self-identified friend & family member (apparently 2 people) who made critical comments  about the law enforcement officers in the heat of the moment.  However, based upon WSB’s description of the incident, the responding officers appear to have acted appropriately.  They: 1. Rendered aid to the victim and transported him to a hospital.  2. Secured the crime scene to obtain evidence.  3. Identified and interviewed witnesses.   The police department will attempt to contact next of kin of the victim(s) using official records.  Since the victim was seriously wounded and presumably unable to identify his next-of-kin to officers and hospital personnel, any persons who show up at the crime scene and/or the hospital who claim to be relatives or friends of the victims(s) have to be cleared by a senior officer before being told anything about the victim’s condition.  Under the Federal HIPAA rules, only the immediate family, not just “a relative,” can be fully informed about the victim’s condition.  Generally that’s a spouse, parent, or sibling. As for the comment that “…this is why people continue to get shot…”  [because is implied] “Nothing is done about it.”  Again, this was written in the heat of the moment and isn’t particularly germane to this incident.   The chief reasons the young man was shot seem to be that he and his brother, among others, went to a location [Alki Beach] in the middle of the night at which violence and gang activity are known to occur, especially at night.  They brought with them property which they felt was important enough to fight to retain, even against superior numbers of men unknown to them who turned out to be armed robbers.  Note that the authorities are attempting to end this violent activity, but given the constraints of our laws and customs, have as yet been unable to do so.

    • L February 3, 2020 (1:11 am)

      Well, I for one have faith in law enforcement in this truly sad case.It is still early in the case and I am completely aware of protocols and procedures.It takes one weak member of a group to bring them all down and I am confident that, that one person will be found

  • L February 3, 2020 (1:18 am)

    I would like to say I am sorry for making rude comments on here. It is not productive. I am done feeding the trolls, however, I am going to continue watching in hopes that somebody, anybody, posts any clues. My words here have not been on behalf of any of the victims or families involved. I just can’t control my frustrations over uneducated accusations.Have a good night

  • SC February 3, 2020 (9:41 am)

    I moved to the area recently and this is the first incident I’ve heard about. I live right in Alki and have been walking my dog at all hours of the night randomly assuming that it’s just empty except for other locals. Most of the time I don’t see anyone. Is it not safe to do that past a certain time? Wondering if I’m putting myself in unnecessary danger. My sympathies to the young man and his family, this is awful.

    • KOK February 3, 2020 (5:50 pm)

      As long as you feel safe with your dog you are probably fine.that being said, I live right off whale tail park behind pepperdock and el chup, so right in the midst of the shenanigans.  I would say don’t walk alone out on alki past 11-12, especially in the summer time.  I love living down here but I definitely have seen some things that scare the sh*t out of me and I’m from Florida so, I’ve seen some crazy stuff  ;)

    • Scubafrog February 3, 2020 (6:56 pm)

      I’ve lived on Alki since 2007.  I can tell you in my experience that I’ve seen people taking innocent walks at all hours.With the exception of a fight or shooting every few years — that always involves young men — Alki is very safe.  I believe the most prominent crime is burgling.  They take packages, or break into homes, steal cars etc.  They’re usually opportunists.Aside from having to attend to a motorcycle accident, my life on Alki has been extraordinarily calm.  Enjoy your walks and as anything, be aware of your surroundings  :o) 

      • alki_2008 February 3, 2020 (7:56 pm)

        In the past decade: there was a stabbing death in the summer of 2018, a shooting death (as noted by wsb in this news post) in 2017, a shooting in 2015, a stabbing in 2014, a shooting in 2012, and a shooting in 2009.  Those were at various places along Alki Ave.  And there was also a woman shot/killed on Beach Dr in 2012.

  • Joan L February 3, 2020 (11:28 am)

    Any updates on how the victim is doing?  Has SPD made any arrests or have any leads?

    • alki_2008 February 5, 2020 (12:55 pm)

      Hopefully they can at least get a lead from the vehicle that sped away from the scene. I could hear it racing north on Alki Ave, but don’t have a view of the street. Several homes and buildings along that street. Hopefully at least one of them have front door cameras that caught an image of the vehicle racing away at 2:30am.

  • Me February 6, 2020 (12:36 am)

    Alki, please tell me you reported this to the police? Even if you believe someone else probably did, it is possible that it may not have been reported. If you haven’t, could you? Just in case? Thank you

    • alki_2008 February 6, 2020 (4:04 pm)

      Which “Alki” username are you responding to, and what do you want them to report?

Sorry, comment time is over.