WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: More gunfire on SW Charlestown

For the second time in a week, there’s been confirmed gunfire near 47th/Charlestown. We reported on the previous incident last week, shortly after it happened the night of September 30th; police say two residences and one car were hit by bullets that night. Neighbors called 911 again last night and this morning about suspected gunfire, but police have only confirmed gunfire in last night’s incident: They got that call around 7 pm last night (Thursday, October 7th). Two casings were found. Neighbors’ reports varied, according to the police narrative – one person saw people running out of an apartment after the shots; another person saw a silver SUV speeding away; another person saw a motorcycle speeding away. No property damage or injuries reported.

This morning’s call was in the 6:30-7 am vicinity. The police-report narrative says callers reported hearing one loud noise followed by “possible rapid fire.” One caller said they saw smoke in front of an apartment building. The officer who was dispatched found a “suspicious” car with no plates and noted “a strong odor of burnt black powder consistent with fireworks …” plus, along and beneath the car, “cardboard wadding consistent with fireworks that had been exploded.” Neither the car – whose VIN traced to an owner in Tukwila – nor anything else was damaged.

16 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: More gunfire on SW Charlestown"

  • Thomas A Wood October 8, 2021 (2:28 pm)

    I was riding my bike with my friend this morning.As we approached 46 th and Charlestown .We heard the exchange . That was not fireworks. We turned around and rode back north to avoid the area.We didn’t see any vehicles heading away from the area

  • SW Living October 8, 2021 (2:37 pm)

    Absolutely NO way this mornings occurrence was fireworks. That was more the sound of gunshots than any of the previous three occurrences; first drive by 9/14 at 3:58am, second 9/30 at 11pm, third 10/7 found casings outside apt complex and now this mornings gunfire at 6:45am.  These occurrences are seeming a bit more like Turf War than at random, when they are all at Charlestown Street between 47th and 49th street. No doubt the apartment complex on corner of 48th and Charlestown is an issue area but it doesn’t help having creepy vehicles left at the park for undisclosed periods; first the “Moving Truck” which has finally found a new home on 49th Street, and now this blue pedophile van here for a full week.  I am extremely appreciative of the West Seattle police force who have been quick to appear following each event. I can’t imagine how much more scared I’d be if they were defunded and not here to help protect us!  Let’s please look into some of the parked cars though, I have a gut feeling they are related to the apartment and the recent gunfire.

  • Just wondering October 8, 2021 (3:25 pm)

    I heard the explosion sound followed by 8 pops in rapid succession around 7 am.

  • PD October 8, 2021 (3:42 pm)

    I wonder if the gunfire incident in the same area on 8/22/20 is related. 

  • aa October 8, 2021 (4:50 pm)

    I just heard on the news that Seattle will re-start the enforcement of the 72 hr. parking law on Oct. 15.

  • Morgan October 8, 2021 (5:43 pm)

    I’d like to see a heat map of crime and shootings overlaid with 7-11 locales. Call it a hunch for now, but would like hypothesis tested.

  • PD October 8, 2021 (5:43 pm)

    SW Living- I feel like it’s not a coincidence. I have contacted the apartment property manager and SHA which owns the houses on the other side of the park behind the apartment. I encourage other neighbors to do this as well. Nothing will get done unless there’s pressure. Police in their current version cannot be proactive with this block.

    • SW Living October 8, 2021 (9:21 pm)

      You are 100% correct. Everyone call, everyone fight, shoot we can’t win much else right now it seems.Corner Apartment Complex at 4715 SW Charlestown Street is owned by:Alki Property Management 206-932-3000I’m calling tomorrow and giving additional info on the “Moving truck” I believe to have far more affiliations with this than even the blue van.  Just need to confirm where to send my extremely serious findings. 

  • Tim October 8, 2021 (6:33 pm)

    I noticed how these shots are following the area where the blue van is parked. I see it over on the corner of 49th n Charlestown, over by 49th between hanford and Steven’s, then on the corner of 48th and Charlestown. Only speculation though. I live on 52nd and Charlestown I notice it on my commute to and from. 

  • retired911atl October 8, 2021 (8:18 pm)

    I worked in ATL for 15 years. As a result, I know the difference between gun fire and fireworks. This was a large caliber, followed by rapid small caliber gun shots.There have been MULTIPLE gun shot incidents in the SAME locale. Stop making excuses and communicate patronizing conclusions in direct contrast of what we all know to be fact. Actually investigate, dedicate resources, establish a task force, and do something other than send out a few units to drive slowly around the area and call it done before someone gets hurt or worse. Don’t let a senseless tragedy finally dictate a proper response. By then, it’s too late. 

  • Cinder October 8, 2021 (9:48 pm)

    I heard downtown businesses are wanting grants to hire private security. Do the same up here. 

    • Rhonda October 8, 2021 (10:38 pm)

      Why? We already pay taxes for SPD protection. The City council has taken our protection away and Durkan has threatened to fire hundreds of unvaccinated officers. We need to demand proper SPD funding before hiring private security.

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