WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Triangle gunfire investigation

1:09 AM: Police are in The Triangle right now, investigating reports of gunfire involving vehicles near 37th/Alaska. The vehicles are reported to have left the area but one person at the scene is reported to be hurt, with an injury described as a “laceration,” not a gunshot wound, so far. Officers just told dispatch they’ve found shell casings at the scene.

1:14 AM: Alaska is closed between 36th and 37th while police continue investigating. They also are looking into a report that an injured man might have walked away from the scene.

34 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Triangle gunfire investigation"

  • Seth November 14, 2020 (1:21 am)

    This happens every weekend over here. When are the cops either going to shut this place down or place a car here on the weekends in anticipation of what they already know is going to happen? Extremely loud music? Check! Reckless driving? Check! Gunshots? Check! Every weekend!!

    • T November 14, 2020 (1:54 am)

      This has been going on for weeks. The people in this community have tried to contact the venue (West Seattle Legion post 160) without success. Keith is the guy that manages the venue and has been rude with the community’s concern in renting the West Seattle Legion for massive gatherings during a pandemic every weekend for over a month. We have tried calling SPD and reporting this to King County’s site under non essential business violations. This needs to stop!!! 

      • M November 14, 2020 (6:26 am)

        Is this true? 

        • K November 14, 2020 (8:28 am)

          The mess at the Triangle or having reported it to SPD? It’s absolutely true it’s been going on for months and the gunshots get worse every weekend, cars speeding around and squealing tires, and yes it’s been reported. WS needs to get it together. When they don’t respond to complaint after complaint after complaint this is what happens. People get injured and it’s going to be something worse next time. It’s extremely sad and unfortunate this continues to happen and no one is doing anything about it.I know some who’ve reported other things directly to Herbold and all they get is a canned answer and no real help.

      • Darcy November 14, 2020 (11:15 am)

        Do not report these violations to SPD. Report them directly to FAS Consumer Protection via the City’s find it fix it app or website. The folks behind that app will respond to reports specific to businesses in violation of the covid social distancing regulations. These are the people who manage business licenses for all businesses in the city including night clubs, and they enforce consumer protection regulations. 

        • Tom W November 15, 2020 (8:02 am)

          Give me a break. Report this sh-t to the SPD and stop vetting against the cops. They are the only ones that can and will help in this situation. 

  • E November 14, 2020 (2:41 am)

    Heard the shots as far away as Charlestown/California at 12:59am.  Heard a motorcycle get away very fast.  

  • Anne November 14, 2020 (6:29 am)

    Right-you think the police have the power to just shut the Legion Post Down? Or that they have the manpower to post a car there for hours every Friday/Sat? Maybe you should reach out to Lisa Herbold /city council -with your concerns.  

    • T November 14, 2020 (9:06 am)

      No, spd is limited. However, the people in charge of the venue gives zero F’s about community concerns/complaints or covid for that matter. Many have already reported to https://coronavirus.wa.gov/ like we are supposed to. 

    • L November 14, 2020 (9:40 am)

      We are also going directly to the American Legion Post asking them to control who they are renting their space to. They have a responsibility to the community when they rent out Pershing Hall. 

  • K to the F November 14, 2020 (6:58 am)

    I heard a bevy of shots (a dozen or more?) the some pretty loud cars speed away. Not great :(

  • Wtf November 14, 2020 (7:37 am)

    How about some in-depth reporting on this recurring problem, instead of police blotter style reporting on gunshots each week? Seems from the other comments that the legion post is hosting parties?

    • L November 14, 2020 (9:38 am)

      Agreed!  West Seattle Blog, please help the community in getting through to the West Seattle American Legion who are ignoring our concerns and complaints about this reoccurring nightmare every weekend. 

  • Chelsea November 14, 2020 (8:08 am)

    Did anyone hear gunshots again around 2am as well? We’ve definitely noticed the large crowds of people at the Legion on Alaska. It’s very concerning that the manager doesn’t seem to care. Well report it too.

  • Fletch November 14, 2020 (8:27 am)

    We just moved to the area and as we moved in these super spreader parties began. What a fun surprise.

    I saw a red sports car take off, nearly running over a security guard after the guy slugged some dude and knocking him out over by mountain 2 sound outfitters. I heard pops but thought it was one of the cars mufflers or something else, next thing I know I see police marking casings. I assume the security guard who almost got run over reported this, but I can’t be sure since when the cops showed up all of the security seemed to run back to the hall in a panic.

    I would think M2S doesn’t want people being knocked out or bullets being sprayed directly in front of their store. Perhaps they can also help get this message to officials..

    • L November 14, 2020 (9:50 am)

      I called 911 last night as soon as I heard the shots fired. I assume I’m not the only one that did. The police arrived within 5 minutes of my 911 call. 

  • AlkiWendy November 14, 2020 (8:58 am)

    I think if you live around there, and have witnessed this activity at the  West Seattle Legion, the local news stations may be interested in investigating this.  

  • T November 14, 2020 (9:19 am)

    The community is sick of this. Week after week the West Seattle Legion rents out their space out to large groups. Here is a copy and paste of the venue manager’s text message to me after I called about my concerns about the massive covid parties amonst other concerns. Note: I am pretty sure he meant “defund” and not “defend.” Regardless, the message sums up his attitude of, “too bad” to community concerns. “ I am sorry, but with the current situation in Seattle  with the “defend the police” and Black lives matter, the SPD will not respond to noise or homeless related call.  Property owners don’t have any options outside of assault.Keith Hughes, Commander”

  • L November 14, 2020 (9:42 am)

    The information on the side of the building has the phone number of 206-932-9696 for rental information. Please, let’s flood that phone number with complaints so that the American Legion is forced to hear us and do something about this. 

    • WS November 14, 2020 (3:15 pm)

      You could try leaving them reviews on google, Yelp, etc as well. 

  • Jamie November 14, 2020 (10:09 am)

    I have been calling in complains for months as well – directly to Keith and the police. Now that there is a police report on record reporting gun shots, I’ve called the American Legion headquarters to complain about Keith’s management of the place and how dangerous these parties are. I left a voicemail, we’ll see if they call me back or do anything about it.

  • WestJack November 14, 2020 (10:20 am)

    Hard to believe the Legion would allow this to occur on their property. While attending a police/community meeting at the SW precinct a couple of years ago, there was a discussion of neighbors filing a nuisance lien against a property owner that was allowing criminal behavior at his rental property. Maybe something to look into.  This type of activity is certainly a nuisance according the WA state law.

  • Rick November 14, 2020 (10:59 am)

    I heard it last night as well, and agree this is the third such party with gunshot wounds and cars speeding around starting about 1.  I have called before as well and gotten minimal response from SPD when it is just car noise and loud music (over legal ordinance).  I will call now every time I hear anything like a gunshot and encourage all others to do so if they suspect gunfire.  I saw the casings on the sidewalk this morning.  

  • Junction Neighbor November 14, 2020 (11:01 am)

    The Legion phone number goes to manager Keith Hughes at West Seattle Electric and Solar at 206-932-9696. Let him hear from you!

  • Triangle Resident November 14, 2020 (12:44 pm)

    Yup, every Friday night there’s a rave at the American legion hall that spills out the front door at 1:00 am.   They get into their cars a drag race down Alaska Street.  Those that have had way too much to drink take shelter behind the building, for days!   Those that want to shoot up come to the alley between 37th and 38th, leaving needles in our alley.  I have asked Keith to stop renting Pershing Hall to this group to no avail.  Three neighbors have moved this fall due to this ongoing disturbance.  Shut this super spreader down!

  • Citizen November 14, 2020 (12:48 pm)

    American Legion National HQ – Internal Affairs contact us page.www legion.org/contact/internal-affairsMaybe direct contact from the top will help this AL post respond.

  • N November 14, 2020 (12:50 pm)

    Party goers were parking in the YMCA parking lot for what it’s worth.  

  • JES November 14, 2020 (2:41 pm)

    Can a group of neighbors get together (safely, with masks) and picket outside of this business? Maybe that could help draw enough negative attention that they’d be forced to listen? I don’t know. Seems calling and asking hasn’t gotten anywhere. WSB can you do some investigating? F/U with police?

  • FYI November 14, 2020 (5:23 pm)

    I have been here since 1972 and never have we referred to the junction as the triangle.,It’s the JUNCTION!!!!!!!! It is extremely irritating that we have been bombarded to begin with but to constantly refer to certain neighborhoods within the west incorrectly is just flat out disrespectful.The triangle is in WhiteCenter hence the name of the bar that sits on that triangular block or the one downtown in between sodo and pioneer square again where another bar use to sit up until recently. One would think to report and or cover current affairs publicly they would have to at least know the lay of the land and it’s proper names. I hear this all the time people referring to south delridge Westwood even arbor heights as white center. The logistics can all be easily found in a old telephone book county maps the West Seattle Herald could even fill you in on the exact perimeters that have always been West Seattle from Alki to Seola and as Far East as 26th until you get to Roxbury covering all the way north to the water again or Todd’s ship yard as Far East as the green belt above west marginal .With just a little square block where the church on Roxbury sits also being apart of West Seattle. 

    • WSB November 14, 2020 (6:27 pm)

      Sorry, but this isn’t The Junction. It’s the West Seattle Triangle. Yes, there’s a triangle area in South Delridge (just north of White Center) too. We’ve been here for 30 years, writing about West Seattle exclusively for half that time, and we are well aware of the current neighborhood names/boundaries, some of which definitely have evolved over the years. Here’s a little more about The Triangle:
      https://www.seattle.gov/opcd/vault/west-seattle-triangle

    • JES November 14, 2020 (7:38 pm)

      FYI, yikes, embarrassing….

  • M November 14, 2020 (5:30 pm)

    I’m assuming Inslee’s ban on indoor gatherings should put a temporary stop to this? 

  • 1994 November 14, 2020 (7:34 pm)

    The Alki Beach scenario has relocated? People, control your selves and it may help to leave your guns at home!

  • Litespeed November 16, 2020 (10:47 am)

    I talked to Keith this morning about the parties, noise and gun fire. He was pretty defensive. Really doesn’t take any responsibility but I reminded him of the of the latest Covid restrictions and he said he would not be renting while they are in effect. He said he is renting the place to pay the bills. I understand that but not at the risk of public safety.  

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