VIDEO: Police search after 2 shot near 1st Avenue South Bridge

| Crime | Helicopter | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Added – WSB photo)

8:56 PM: Big police and fire response in the 6900 block of 2nd SW, near the 1st Avenue South Bridge. They’re looking for a man who is reported to have shot two people. The Guardian One helicopter was called out too. No other information yet.

9:07 AM: Police say the shooting is reported to have happened at “an encampment” in the area.

9:36 AM: We’ve talked to SPD spokesperson Det. Patrick Michaud at the scene. He says it happened around 8:30 am; both victims are at Harborview, (updated) a man and a woman, and that “many shots” were fired, The shooter was described as male, Black, short or no hair, possibly associated with a Dodge sedan, maybe a Challenger. K9 and helicopter are still helping search the area. We’ll add video of the briefing when it’s uploaded. (Added – here it is:)

10:01 AM: Update on the victims from SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo – ages approximate – 20-year-old man in critical condition, 28-year-old woman in serious condition.

12:06 PM: Additional information from the preliminary SPD summary:

At approximately 0830, the male and female victims were inside of their vehicle in an encampment located at the 6900 BLK of 2 Ave SW. The (shooter) walked up and fired several rounds inside the vehicle, striking the victims in the arm, abdomen, and torso. The (shooter) left on foot. Officers arrived and set up containment. Guardian 1, K99, Traffic Units, and SWAT, responded to the scene and assisted with the area search. The (shooter) wasn’t located. A witness on scene said that the same suspect was inside of a White newer model Dodge Charger or Challenger prior to the shooting.

1:06 PM: More information from police about the “many shots” that were fired – they found “seven 9mm fired cartridge casings (and) three 9mm rounds” at the scene.

Peter Bates April 22, 2021 (9:05 am)

There were gunshots near Avalon/Lunar Park Cafe last night about 11:45pm, was this related?

WSB April 22, 2021 (9:12 am)

Not likely, that’s quite some distance. Also, no confirmed gunfire logged overnight anywhere in WS so whatever that was, gunfire evidence was not found.
- WSB April 22, 2021 (2:35 pm)
  
  Update: In the hours since, the vet clinic in Luna Park has reported to police that someone fired a shot through their window overnight. Story to come. (Not related to double shooting incident that we know of, but since commenter brought up Luna Park in this thread….)

Kylest April 22, 2021 (9:34 am)

Yesterday the stolen bike was found in a homeless encampment, today there’s a shooting in one. I’m fully ok with NIMBY on these places.

stuckhere April 22, 2021 (10:09 pm)

I don’t think they know whether the shooter was associated with the camp or simply targeting the camp.

OneTimeCharley April 22, 2021 (9:49 am)

Wasn’t there a Dodge Challenger involved in the North Delridge shootings at Andover recently?

WSB April 22, 2021 (10:04 am)

No.
Angelakake35th April 22, 2021 (10:58 am)

I think it was a Roxbury shooting if I remember correctly by the castle park I know I’ve had that dodge charger in my mind too
- Angelakake35th April 22, 2021 (11:02 am)
  
  https://westseattleblog.com/2021/03/gunfire-reported-at-30th-roxbury/
Angelakake35th April 22, 2021 (11:04 am)

This one….🤷‍♀️
- WSB April 22, 2021 (11:13 am)
  
  That was a “black Charger.” Today’s vehicle was likely light-colored per scanner traffic, maybe a Challenger, maybe a Charger.
  - Wsprayers April 22, 2021 (11:23 am)
    
    Um they never gave the color of that dodge car today I listened 2x make sure no description of the color I mean might be wrong might not be relevant as there was a report of a shooting from a dodge on that 30thand Roxbury shooting if it was at night vs day a gray charger could have looked black and might have been grey I have no idea but that charger had stuck in my mind since that shooting who knows just being helpful citizen as these shootings keep happening
    - WSB April 22, 2021 (12:07 pm)
      
      Yes, they did, and it’s also noted in the preliminary summary that we just received and are about to add above.

Trish April 22, 2021 (10:08 am)

Yes I’m stuck in the traffic at the 1st Ave., Bridge right now several cops caring automatic rifles and walking with a German Shepherd searching the brush. A bit nerve-racking.

Ws prayers April 22, 2021 (11:26 am)

I was stuck in that traffic too our streets need to be a little safer and yes interrupted an already difficult commutte

Thank you officers April 22, 2021 (11:21 am)

Thank you police for all you do. While the rest of us are horrified of this shooting and wanting out of the area you are going to the area into danger and looking for the suspect. You guys are heroes and way too underappreciated. More funds and training are needed for our officers. This defunding nonsense is going to lead to more and more violence. The police are what keeps our society civil

Jort April 22, 2021 (12:04 pm)

Really? How much more? Seems like they get quite a bit of funding already.
- Sarge April 22, 2021 (12:32 pm)
  
  Please provide Seattle specific data, this graphic means nothing in this context.
  - My two cents ... April 22, 2021 (2:20 pm)
    
    @sarge Good point – too often a chart or data points are cited without providing the methodology, etc. Sure, it’s easy to cut and paste and generate conversation – but if someone is actually trying enact changes, they need to come at it seriously.
    - JustSayin' April 22, 2021 (6:55 pm)
      
      I’d like to see it on a per capita basis before I interpret it.
  - mariade7 April 22, 2021 (8:27 pm)
    
    Source:https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/06/26/how-much-money-goes-to-police-departments-in-americas-largest-cities/112004904/
    Seattle, Washington
    • Population, 2018: 744,949
    • Police dept. funding as % of total budget, fiscal year 2020: 27.2% (5th largest out of 50 largest cities)
    • Total police budget for fiscal 2020: $409 million (17th largest)
    • Total city budget for fiscal 2020: $1.50 billion (19th smallest)
    • Law enforcement employees per 100K: 262 (123rd highest out of 634 cities with 65K +)
    • Total law enforcement employees: 1,954 (1,420 officers, 534 civilian employees)
    • Violent crimes reported per 100K in 2018: 680 (111th highest out of 634 cities of 65K +)
    - burb April 23, 2021 (10:05 am)
      
      Thanks for producing the facts. What do others have to present besides pejoratives?
- Anne April 22, 2021 (5:39 pm)
  
  Means nothing-just another rant.
- The King April 22, 2021 (6:42 pm)
  
  Oh look jort, North Korea didn’t even make your list. Must be a safe place to live.

No-Gunz April 22, 2021 (11:25 am)

It is a bit nerve racking, agreed.
But would it be more so to know the police were de-militarized: no ‘Guardian One’ noisily circling, no cops with assault rifles or handguns, no scary looking German Shepherds leading armed officers chasing after a reported armed man who had just shot two people.
Sitting stuck in traffic, in this nerve racking situation, I would be relieved by the overwhelming police presence and all of their resources including maybe equal firepower to the reported shooter.

Ant April 22, 2021 (9:06 pm)

Just thinking out loud here but maybe it’s a good idea to invest in prevention rather than response? i.e: I’d rather have a teacher armed with time, supplies, and resources to ensure an at risk youth realize their potential rather than an officer getting new tac gear.

CMT April 23, 2021 (8:50 am)

Agree – but in the period between that initial investment and the years it takes that investment to reflect meaningful change to crime levels, we still have to ensure the safety of the public. That’s why a precipitous cut in funding makes no sense.
Me April 23, 2021 (12:42 pm)

I don’t disagree with this but teachers do all they can. If a child comes from a dysfunctional home, that will still have an impact on them and their future.
JohnW April 23, 2021 (1:57 pm)

Agreed that teachers can be part of addressing upcoming and not yet born children at risk, but as pointed out, that would take generations to reach any success rate.
—–
The people most in need of teaching survival and societal skill sets exist now living on our streets and hillsides.
They overwhelm us daily.

The immediate solutions are health care, substance abuse programs and Housing- First programs. Lack of mental health care, particularly, contributes to these senseless killings.

wetone April 24, 2021 (10:04 am)

This site is a real shantytown. There has to be 50+ people living along the Duwamish waterway on southwest side of 1st ave bridge (99). It amazes me that city and or other agencies have not shut this town down due to amount of human waste and other pollutants being dumped into river and grounds nearby. At our marina nearby we are not able to wash our docks without facing fines ???? And that is just contaminates from air and birds that would have naturally ended up in water. There are multiple other areas along Duwamish waterways with camps, but this site is the biggest.

WSB April 24, 2021 (10:35 am)

I have been trying to find out exactly whose land. Online records suggest port but they say it’s not theirs. There’s also state and city land. between the nearby businesses and the west underside of the bridge.

wetone April 25, 2021 (9:55 am)

I believe the part of area on a pier was owned by port, rest of area was city or county owned. This is what I recall from looking into these properties 30+years ago.

Sorry, comment time is over.