UPDATE: Police search in Highland Park, suspect arrested

| Crime | Helicopter | Highland Park | West Seattle news

3:03 PM: Thanks for the tips. The Guardian One helicopter is assisting police in a search for a suspect. We’re still trying to get details but police confirm it’s related to an assault. It happened near 6th and Kenyon. A victim is being taken to the hospital. More details as we get them.

3:16 PM: As noted in comments, K-9 is helping search too. They’re also extending the search east to West Marginal Way in case the attacker fled through the greenbelt.

3:31 PM: A little more info from police – who describe this as a “domestic-violence assault.” We don’t have a description but are going back through archived audio to see if one was put out over the air earlier.

4:13 PM: They’re still searching. Here’s the description from archived audio: Hispanic man, 20s, 6′, medium build, “full tattoo sleeve” on one arm, blue crew-neck shirt, tan shorts.

4:25 PM: Just in case you’re wondering – Guardian One is leaving, but the suspect remains at large.

7:20 PM: We’re covering the HPAC meeting, where Southwest Precinct Lt. Chris Johnson just said they know who the suspect is, and “there’s a whole lot of people looking for him.” The suspect, he said, had been arrested for a crime against the same victim, got out of jail, and attacked the same victim again.

9:13 AM: We learned this morning from Southwwst Precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman that the suspect is now in custody. (We are following up further on the case and the reported previous arrest.)

KayK January 27, 2021 (3:06 pm)

They’re announcing the K-9 is searching as well. Every cop in West Seattle seems to be over here!

WSB January 27, 2021 (3:13 pm)

Yup, and they’re calling in members of the Community Response Group (see story on last night’s robbery suspect) too.

Patti January 27, 2021 (3:08 pm)

I’m in the 8100 block of 8th and an officer sent me and my dog home as they were getting ready to perform a canine sweep of the street

Julianne January 27, 2021 (4:06 pm)

Betsy can whoop any ol’ police dog. Still good to see y’all headed home.

Mark January 27, 2021 (3:13 pm)

Saw three separate SPD suvs flying down 16th Ave, and there’s the heli

JP January 27, 2021 (3:18 pm)

At 6th and Kenyon… chopper circling, multiple officers on foot w dogs.

KD January 27, 2021 (3:25 pm)

For those of us right under the helicopter sweep (currently still going on!) it’d be nice to know the suspect’s description in case they go running through our yards or down the street 👍🏼

bubba January 27, 2021 (3:30 pm)

Seriously!! Anything to try and help out.
- KD January 27, 2021 (3:58 pm)
  
  👍🏼
GNH January 28, 2021 (12:24 pm)

Right, because neighborhood vigilantes never cause problems…

Kelly Guillemette January 27, 2021 (3:27 pm)

I am at 5th and Kenyon and the cops are searching in the greenbelt. My Belgian Shepard, Sagan, is beside himself with excitement and joy over seeing the search dogs. He is running around the house with a huge dog grin. This might be his best day since quarantine began. I am very sorry someone was assaulted, I hope he/she/they is caught!

Judd January 27, 2021 (3:37 pm)

I got my eyes peeled, waiting for a scared outta place person running down my street! My dog’s curious too!

Steph January 27, 2021 (3:44 pm)

I’m here at 9th and Kenyon on the Green Belt and the chopper’s been hovering over our area off of Highland Parkway for about a half hour. Police have blocked off anyone leaving my apartment complex, the Overlook and Kenyon.

A local January 27, 2021 (3:47 pm)

I came here because im over by delridge and thistle walking my dog and can hear the copter. Would love a description. We dont need people like that running around out here.

KayK January 27, 2021 (3:47 pm)

Our neighbor was given the description “suspect wearing dark sweater or jacket with tan pants”.

Vbmart January 27, 2021 (3:51 pm)

We’re over at 7th and Austin. Focus here also seems to be the green belt and yards near the green belt. Multiple cops and a k-9 in addition to the chopper.

Rjb January 27, 2021 (4:13 pm)

Don’t know if it’s related to this or not, but I heard over 20 gunshots while taking the garbage out at 1:35 this afternoon. Sounded to be off in the distance a bit, but I was curious enough to check SPD Twitter, and this blog to see if anyone else heard or reported. After about 30 min or so of checking I gave up and assumed it was nothing. Then around 3pm helicopter was circling off in the same direction I heard the shots from. Probably just a coincidence, and unrelated, but now I’m curious enough to ask; Did anyone else hear the gunshots? A whole bunch and then a pause and a whole bunch again.

WSB January 27, 2021 (4:16 pm)

No gun reported involved in this. Possibly a knife. Please always call 911 to report suspected gunshots, even if you don’t know exactly where they’re coming from.

Meantime – I found the description originally mentioned over police radio – added above.

Izzy January 27, 2021 (4:38 pm)

Oh boy. My BFF was at West Crest Park when this whole thing unfolded. Been super worried about her. She says they told her the suspect is wearing a dark sweater or tan pants and a dark jacket.

Anonymous January 27, 2021 (4:42 pm)

A squad of cop cars just went down highland Park road heading towards West marginal from Holden street with sirens blaring

Temet Nosce January 27, 2021 (4:53 pm)

Domestic violence abusers typically isolate the victim from friends, family and neighbors and/or make them feel so much shame and fear that the victim does not report. The police are often their only hope for help. Please consider the victim and remember today ( what you are hearing and feeling) the next time you suggest “ defunding police”. Please also consider the thought process of any politician who suggests defunding the police without another service in place. Thank you.

R January 27, 2021 (10:16 pm)

Thank you Temet Nosce. I truly hope everyone starts to understand this.
AJP January 28, 2021 (11:34 am)

Having a trained social worker go on DV calls would save a lot of lives. Police are not sufficiently trained to deal with DV in ways that can really make a difference.

Kyle January 27, 2021 (8:13 pm)

I feel incredible empathy for the victim. This person needs to be brought to justice.

WSB January 28, 2021 (9:15 am)

Update added above – the suspect is in custody.

Bad Judge January 28, 2021 (10:16 am)

This creature was arrested by Seattle PD after a SWAT standoff two nights ago. He beat his wife up- she fled and their 3 kids were stuck in the apt with him. He passed out drunk with the baby next to him. Seattle SWAT had to rescue the children. Next a ridiculous Seattle judge let him go two nights later. What did he do? He was the apt manager for his appt so he had the keys and entered the home armed with a box cutter. He beat her up again and then raped her. This is what resulted in this hunt. Why would the judge release him so fast – and why wasn’t the victim contacted to warn her? Disgusting miscarriage of justice. Yet the Seahawks lineman Chad Wheeler had to pay a $400,000 bond and is wearing a GPS ankle bracelet. He shouldn’t be out either – but why do they let an abuser with 3 kids and a history of abuse back out to attack this woman and traumatize the kids further? They all could be dead right now.

WSB January 28, 2021 (10:20 am)

I’m researching the case further. If I have the correct name – the jail register does not cross-reference with police case #’s so I won’t know for sure until I get probable-cause documents – he got out after posting bond on $25,000 bail.
- RB January 29, 2021 (3:20 pm)
  
  Can you please update us on the case number? I would want to know the prosecutor’s name to write a long letter. I have personal experience, along with two of my friends on the justice system being too lenient on rapists and abusers – causing a lifetime of trauma to us, the survivors who must live with the consequences. This is too heartbreaking for me – along with all of the other women and children who are constantly silenced during the pandemic.
  - WSB January 30, 2021 (10:44 pm)
    
    21-1-00745-0

Daniel January 29, 2021 (11:00 am)

During the late afternoon of 01-27-2021, a helicopter passed over my neighborhood. I took a photo of the helicopter (I take photos of planes as well). To my surprise, in the photo, what appears to be a neon-green dot can be seen on the side of the helicopter. Could someone have been pointing a laser at the helicopter? Is that legal here in the state of WA? Just wondering.

Sorry, comment time is over.