WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Road-rage arrest; business vandalism

Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:

ROAD-RAGE ARREST: A 39-year-old West Seattle man is in the King County Jail after an alleged case of armed road rage. We’ve obtained the police-report narrative, and that’s what we’re summarizing here:

Just before 2:30 pm Monday, a 911 call came in from a woman who said another driver flashed a gun at her. The officer met her at 8th SW and SW Cambridge; she was described as “visibly shaking.” She told the officer that she had just left work and, the report narrative says, “wanted to merge with the westbound lane of Olson Pl Sw from 2nd Av Sw. As she attempted to merge, (another vehicle) came up fast behind her. She then merged into a different lane and the vehicle changed lanes as well closely behind her vehicle … She was initially confused, thinking it was a police vehicle because it looked similar, and she thought she was in the way. But then she changed lanes again, and again the vehicle changed lanes with her. As they approached a stoplight [8th/Roxbury], the other driver … pulled out a gun and pointed it at her.” She said she asked him why, and that he told her to “shut the f*** up.” She took a photo of the vehicle, a Ford Explorer, and got the plate number.

Using that, police went to the registered owner’s house and found him there. The report says he acknowledged owning a gun, for which he had a valid concealed-pistol license, and that he had “drawn it during the (reported) incident.” He claimed the driver cut in front of him twice and, the report continues, said that “he could see the other driver yelling at him and he was not sure why since she was the one making the lane changes. As they got to a stoplight, he noticed the other driver rolling down her window. Because he was afraid of what has been happening here in West Seattle, he unholstered his gun from his waistband and only pointed it south. He assessed the situation and re-holstered his gun. The other driver was yelling at him and spit toward his vehicle. He said his window was up the whole time.”

So how did the investigating officer sort this out? They wrote, “I inspected the passenger side of (the suspect’s) vehicle but did not see any sign of spit or liquid. Both sides of the story were consistent with each other’s except for the point of where the firearm had been pointed.” Assessing the types of vehicles driven by both parties, the officer wrote, “The height of (the suspect)’s vehicle would not have given (the victim) a view of the gun if it had just been unholstered and not pointed at her. Since (her sedan) was at a lower vantage, she could not have seen the gun, unless it had been lifted high enough … At this time, I determined that (the suspect) violated SMC 12A.14.075 – Unlawful use of weapons to intimidate another.” With his permission, they located and confiscated the gun, described as a Glock, along with “a magazine carrying six 9mm rounds, plus one more in the chamber.” The suspect was then booked into jail. So far as we can tell, he has no criminal record.

Also today, one reader report:

BUSINESS VANDALISM: At least two Triangle businesses were hit by vandal(s) overnight, according to a texter who sent photos from neighboring Rudy’s Barbershop and Realfine Coffee, including this one:

The texter said they had heard other businesses might have been hit, but we’re not seeing police-report numbers yet.

40 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Road-rage arrest; business vandalism"

  • Jethro Marx March 8, 2022 (12:50 pm)

    West Seattle man fears he may meet himself on the road; preemptively brandishes weapon at random drivers to stay safe.

    But seriously, I hope they don’t give him his crappy gun back.

    • No guns, no gun violence March 8, 2022 (8:10 pm)

      Agree with you that ‘fear’ and projections are major factors for violence. At the root, those agressively weilding and using guns against others are dealing with some issues, of fear and insecurity, of anger and entitlement. It’s not cool, to prioritize their rights of gun ownership over others rights to safety and life.

      • Jethro Marx March 9, 2022 (9:09 am)

        I’m not sure we agree; I think finding what is at the “root” is a complex search.  It isn’t guns, though.  Cain slew Abel (in a gun-free zone) because that’s who we are, if we live out anger and jealousy.  Remove guns magically from the land and you have the same number of angry people who prioritize violently expressing their anger over the rights of others.   You may as well say it’s not cool that QFC prioritizes the right to buy peanut butter over the right of the allergic to live safely.  Will we all be safe and free from fear if only we take enough dangers away?  

        • No guns, no gun violence March 9, 2022 (11:16 am)

          Removing guns wouldn’t be about removing fear, it would be about removing a highly effective tool that humans use to intimidate, harm, and kill other people.

          An angry person without a gun, is a safer scenario.

          And sorry, not seeing how your comparison of peanut butter and allergies, to guns, relates well. But it’s okay if we disagree, thanks for the conversation.

          • Jethro Marx March 9, 2022 (12:58 pm)

            You have presented a false choice: are my rights to own something more important than others’ rights to life and safety?  We must first assume that others will only be safe if I don’t own a thing and that is simply not the case, even with guns. An individual’s choice to use an object unsafely does not speak whatsoever to how a different person prioritizes life vs. object ownership. By this logic we would have banned cars long ago, computers as soon as mySpace was created, and peanut butter whenever people started being allergic to it.

          • No guns, no gun violence March 9, 2022 (2:03 pm)

            A gun is an effective tool to intimidate, harm, and kill others. So yes, one could argue that your rights to own something that has this capacity and purpose, should not be prioritized, over others rights to not be a victim of a person using this innocent tool.

            And before anyone goes down the what about knives and rocks and hammers and axes… we all know there is a difference.

            I have never heard of peanut butter being widely used as a weapon. And, as a society, we take many precautions to help protect people with food allergies. Yet we allow and risk random joes, along with many future unknowns, to own, and carry, and drive around with, deadly guns.

          • Jethro Marx March 9, 2022 (4:49 pm)

            You’re right in naming your fear, for we all fear the randomness of life. We are discussing a purely hypothetical situation as there are many guns per person in our country.

          • Jethro Marx March 9, 2022 (4:59 pm)

            Also, kind of a great bit of policing, too- you’re lying, I can prove it, and you’re under arrest. 

          • No guns, no gun violence? March 9, 2022 (5:47 pm)

            Are you suggesting that if you are wrongly confronted and arrested by police you should have a gun handy to fight them? What?

            This is why we have a whole judicial system.

            Also, on the topic of police, even police who are well trained sometimes use wrongful force or are irresponsible with their weapons. I’d these brave, trained officers are infallible, why would we entrust them with the general public?

            Isn’t there a better way forward?

          • No guns... March 9, 2022 (7:32 pm)

            Oops, typos…

            *If
            *fallible
            *entrust ‘guns’ (not them)

            why would we entrust the general public with guns, when even sworn, trained police officers sometimes abuse use of their weapon?

          • Jethro Marx March 9, 2022 (9:13 pm)

            No, sorry, I don’t know what you mean by that; I meant I think the police officer did a good job in a tricky situation, and got one gun out of the hands of a random reckless man. I appreciate that, and that does not mean I think cops are any more or less fallible than the rest of us. We’re all here together.

          • No guns, no gun violence March 10, 2022 (5:54 am)

            Oh, sorry for misunderstanding your comment, got it 👍

            Yes, we are all here together, and we have some problems to solve, things to work out and change for the better. Maybe we could at least agree on this.

          • No guns, no gun violence March 10, 2022 (6:12 am)

            … and, I do think it’s important we all try to work together, find ways to unite, find middle roads and compromises where we can, because as a country we are not functioning as united. And, as the saying goes, united we stand, divided we fall. When will all sides let go of their need to be right and take a step towards coming together to protect one another and our country? I think it’s okay to argue and to express perspectives, free speech is one of the things that makes our country great, but hopefully we can really listen to one another, and reflect, demonstrate respect for one another, even when we disagree.We are not enemies, even though we may have different ideas and perspectives on how to deal with issues, we are neighbors, community members, country men.I would hearing more ideas from the pro gun rights folks, when the subject comes up, on how they  suggest solving gun related crime issues. If not, working to remove guns from society.

          • No guns, no gun violence March 10, 2022 (1:18 pm)

            Sorry for misunderstanding your comment 👍

            Yes, we are all here together.

            Would be great if we could all work together to solve issues such as gun violence in our society.

            Perhaps a good starting point might be, us all acknowledging the unfortunate problems that exist because of the existence and allowance of guns.

            At what cost to others, is this right to bear arms?

            For how long will killings of some be tolerated and justified, so that some can ‘responsibly’ own them?

            Would like to hear more from pro gun rights folks, regarding how we solve gun violence issues, if not working towards greatly reducing the number of guns in hands in our country.

          • No guns, no gun violence March 9, 2022 (5:50 pm)

            Being fearful is needing to own a gun yourself because of the bad guys out there with guns.

          • No guns, no gun violence March 9, 2022 (5:37 pm)

            *innocent being used sarcastically here

            The items you are using as comparison, are of false equivelancey. Cars, computers, and peanut butter, are not designed for the purpose and intention, nor with the same capacity to be used as a weapon. Although they could be used as a weapon, as arguably perhaps anything could be, it’s not the same.

            Think communities should really look and discuss the issues of gun ownership, and the negative consequences more. This is 2022, not 1791.

    • Rhonda March 9, 2022 (2:08 am)

      The suspect is being charged with a very serious violent, firearm-enhanced crime and won’t be getting his gun back if he’s convicted.

  • Rocky Bullwinkle March 8, 2022 (1:07 pm)

    I saw a rock sized hole in LA Fitness window

  • Gina March 8, 2022 (1:25 pm)

    Petco has smashed windows along Alaska st.

  • Gina March 8, 2022 (1:28 pm)

    Also smashed windows at entry to Spruce, LA Fitness building.

  • Rosesnotguns March 8, 2022 (2:23 pm)

    Given my friend’s recent experience having her truck shot up on the way home from work (prior coverage here on the blog), I am glad this complaint was taken seriously and investigated.   There are no circumstances under which “road rage” , frustration,  “a bad day” or a bad attitude justify the use, or threat of use, of a weapon.  

  • cahp March 8, 2022 (2:39 pm)

    Sounds like someone needs to have their concealed carry permit revoked.

  • Safe streets March 8, 2022 (3:25 pm)

    Another example of a “good guy with a gun” that is until they have a bad day or someone cuts them off, but still a “good guy with a gun” well until they shoot some one then maybe they aren’t?

  • Jeff March 8, 2022 (3:27 pm)

    Cool, a stupid argument where nobody had anything at stake was escalated by the presence of a gun. 

  • Jort March 8, 2022 (3:34 pm)

    Bye bye gun! Bye bye! Also, my favorite line, with no editorializing whatsoever: “he was afraid of what has been happening here in West Seattle.” Yeah, what has been happening here? Idiots thinking a gun will solve a car traffic problem? Further proof that those who carry guns do so primarily rooted in fear – fear that they will need to use a gun to literally protect their life. Yet somehow the overwhelming majority of people manage to live, every day, without 24/7 access to a weapon designed to kill another human being. It’s weird.

  • Repeal It March 8, 2022 (3:43 pm)

    Apparently the suspect carried the Glock with one in the chamber for  personal safety protection.   I don’t feel any safer with people carrying guns for personal safety and protection.I welcome the gun rights advocates to respond?

    • Adam March 8, 2022 (6:03 pm)

      Here I am! I want to have a gun on me b/c a—holes like this dude. I’ve owned one for awhile. I’ve never once pulled it on anyone. I’ve been in dangerous situations where I knew I had it on me, but never brought it out because it never rose to that occasion. I still want it in case I need it. I love that there’s an obviously irresponsible person here with a weapon, yet the focus is still on the inanimate object. I think it’s funny that we clearly have a dangerous person, so the answer is what, to only leave bad guys with guns?  They exist and we know how to make em. You can get rid of em cuz even if ALL gun ownership were illegal, the bad guys would make em, use em. I know I won’t just shoot ppl because I own one or “have a bad day”. If a “bad day” is all it takes in your mind for a gun owner to go from responsible to dangerous, then maybe YOU shouldn’t have one. Just to be clear btw, this is in response to the above comments as well as yours, Repeal It, so it doesn’t all apply just to your post 

      • No guns, no gun violence March 8, 2022 (7:46 pm)

        Have you ever heard the saying ‘to err is human?’

        Have you ever had a moment where you overreacted, or responded in a way you regretted later? In a way that felt somewhat out of character?

        If so, you shouldn’t have a gun, for this very reason, because you are human, and even humans who have previously been responsible and a ‘good person’ have one day had that moment and had a gun nearby.

        What if in a moment of anger or dear you pulled out your gun like this guy, and the other person also has a gun and they feel threatened so pull out theirs and shoot you?

        No one wants to believe they would be that guy, I bet many who have been that guy never thought they would be.

        But, mounting life stress, a really bad day, lack of sleep, one to many drinks, and voila. You’re pulling a gun on someone because they cut you off.

        The simplistic idea of good guys and bad guys, is very comforting, and unfortunately is an idealistic view we are raised with as children.

        In reality, as adults, it’s more complex. More like there are people and good and bad actions, choices, intentions, etc.

        Of course there are people who may be more or less likely to use a gun responsibly versus irresponsibly or violently, but this can’t be guaranteed, and there are far too many instances of gun violence and accidents.

      • No guns, no gun violence March 8, 2022 (8:27 pm)

        … and, maybe the answer to ‘bad guys with guns’ isn’t ‘good guys with guns’ but rather the good guys recognizing the problem of guns and opting out and focusing on solving the issues of guns, and issues of ‘bad guys.’

    • Adam March 8, 2022 (6:05 pm)

      Sorry, my post should read “you CAN’T get rid of” guns. Tried to edit to no avail. 

  • Don Brubeck March 8, 2022 (3:54 pm)

    Excellent response by the victim and by Seattle Police.  Please be patient and take it easy while driving. It is not worth taking a life or losing your life to get there a minute or two faster.

  • Marcus March 8, 2022 (4:02 pm)

    I have always appreciated gun ownership, but the key is responsible gun ownership.  This guy needs anger management and needs to loose his rights to gun ownership.  There is a very thin line here and triggers are very sensitive.  My God, he had one round in the chamber when the police confiscated it.  This could have been a fatality very easily.  So glad it turned out the way it did and the victim is safe and recovering from such a trauma.

  • Question Authority March 8, 2022 (6:36 pm)

    If your properly trained having a round in the chamber means nothing because your finger would never be on the trigger, but aside it.  As they say you never place your finger in the trigger until you need to pull it, plus the safety may be on.  He broke the law, he violated the oath of proper gun ownership which is legal in this nation. 

    • Jethro Marx March 8, 2022 (8:38 pm)

      No active safeties on that particular gun; it operates exactly like a squirt gun.

  • Adam March 9, 2022 (5:44 am)

    I’ll say it again. All of you that think that having a bad day is all it takes for a gunowner to turn into a violent criminal are a reason why I own it. If you’re that close to the edge, talk to someone. There are millions of gun owners in the US that have NEVER pulled their gun on anyone. You think they’ve never had a “bad day”?

    • No guns, no gun violence March 9, 2022 (11:32 am)

      All you have to do is look at all of the many instances of people using guns to kill others in a moment of fear, anger, or want to control  – people who had never gone there before. It happens. Yes there are gun owning people who never find themselves in this scenario, but it could happen, because, it does.

      Life is more complicated than you want to see, and easy for you to cast shade on someone who wants to see fewer people die by gun violence.

      My perspective isn’t because I wouldn’t trust myself with a gun. I don’t want one, don’t need one, and I don’t want to see people shooting other people.

      I’m tired of hearing about people being intimidated and hurt by people with guns.

    • Zark00 March 12, 2022 (4:50 pm)

      Just fyi, you fit the diagnostic criteria for a sociopath. 

  • JS March 9, 2022 (8:45 am)

    Windows were smashed at Habit Burger and the empty dentist office at the corner of 35th and Avalon

    • Admyrl Byrd March 9, 2022 (5:07 pm)

      Plywood is the new glass in West Seattle.    

Sorry, comment time is over.