53 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Man shot in North Admiral after confronting car-prowl suspects, police say"

• Thomas Wood August 6, 2022 (8:56 am)

  This is absurd! Its unreal the lengths criminals will go.This past Monday two guys showed up in our neighborhood. Two different cars they proceeded to cut the catalytic converter out of one of the cars.When confronted by my neighbor they left only to return an hour later to finish the job. Police were called no response. The car still sits on are street.

  • J August 6, 2022 (5:37 pm)

    Mr. Wood, I live in a secluded neighborhood in Burien. The eight neighbors that live around a home at the end of our deadend have been reporting nightly criminal activity from this one address nearly nightly for over a year and all of us have received nothing but retaliation from that address and occasionally the sheriff. Many West Seattle stolen vehicles end up at this house or even dumped on our properties in the middle of the night. Please for the well being of West and South Seattle make a report to the Seattle FBI headquarters Attn: Police Misconduct. Many of us have been shot at after calling 911. You can sign the report anonymous if you think retaliation is a possibility. If I am more specific they won’t post this comment. Good luck. 

• WSlite August 6, 2022 (9:03 am)

  What a couple of low life criminals shooting someone in the back that is protecting THEIR OWN  PROPERTY. Hope victim will be okay and these criminals are caught. Feel like we all need to have guns nowadays just to protect what is ours – our property. Too much crime happening, criminals taking whatever they want even in broad daylight. To the criminals – How about you get a job and buy your own car, your own things…change your ways and make a positive difference in this world. People work hard to earn these things in life. You don’t deserve other people’s property and shouldn’t take what is not yours in the first place. Hope karma and some handcuffs are coming your way. 

  • Julian August 6, 2022 (9:31 am)

    If you don’t have a CPL and aren’t trained to basic proficiency with a firearm, you are leaving yourself to a very realistic risk of being the victim of violence be it gun violence or otherwise. Stay safe Seattlites.

    • Paul August 6, 2022 (10:07 am)

      While I agree with your comment on basic proficiency training, a CPL is not a hard bar to clear. Washington is a must issue state without and training requirements. As long as you don’t have red flags 🚩 such as felony, retraining order, etc. you must be issued a CPL.

      • UselessPoliticians August 6, 2022 (11:24 am)

        I always wondered why such a liberal anti gun state never had training requirements for a CPL.  years ago in AZ I had to do 16hrs of class training and qualify at the range to get a CPL, in Seattle fill out a one pager and pay a fee.  FYI a huge majority of the training was about how and why not to shoot someone…. Of course it will do nothing in regards to crime because those people don’t care and have no consequences anyway, but could be good for novice gun owners to not get shot.

      • Chuck Jacobs August 6, 2022 (7:48 pm)

        A concealed pistol license is not required to own or carry a gun in Washington. It is only required when carrying concealed.    Also, I never leave the house to investigate a disturbance without a flashlight, cellphone, and firearm.

• HS August 6, 2022 (9:08 am)

  What the actual h? I hope this man recovers. I cannot imagine being shot, much less in the back.

  • Brian August 7, 2022 (9:23 am)

    Often times when one is shot in the front, they are effectively also shot in the back after the bullet makes its exit on the way to its next destination. 

    • Randy Jenkins August 7, 2022 (4:25 pm)

      Really???????? 

      • Jethro Marx August 7, 2022 (7:08 pm)

        No. ‘Shot in the back’ has a meaning, and it ain’t ‘shot in the chest, with associated back injury due to exit.’ I think sometimes people delight in making language less meaningful but I do not understand the behavior.

• Mj August 6, 2022 (9:12 am)

  I hope the victim recovers and is not saddled with medical costs that need to be paid by the perp(s) that hopefully are caught, charged and made to pay for their actions!

  • Brian August 7, 2022 (9:24 am)

    People talk about this country being messed up but this comment really drives home how messed up it is. Good god. 

  • Carol August 8, 2022 (6:29 pm)

    Victims Compensation – file a claim for medical and trauma care for victims of Violent Crimes with the state of Washington, it is legislated with L & I claims.  Please pass the word.  Until there is financial impact and data, change will be more difficult.  Don’t be in a hurry to close your claim.  Sequela have no timeline.

• neighborhood resident August 6, 2022 (9:13 am)

  No other cars broken into on the street? This looks like the car that it seems like someone has been living in without plates for a month or so. With all the cameras in the neighborhood hopefully we can get a description of the vehicle that fled down the hill.

  • WSB August 6, 2022 (9:46 am)

    I just finished listening to an hour of recorded police-radio audio, buy there was no additional information, nor is it clear what relationship that vehicle had to the incident. If it’s a GMC Yukon, an officer radioed in the VIN to ask the call center to look it up, but the reply (on what the lookup found) wasn’t on the recording … either because it was a very busy early morning for SPD citywide (this wasn’t the only shooting) and the reply was covered by another transmission, or because it was sent to the officer’s screen. – TR

    • John Smith August 6, 2022 (1:40 pm)

      The vehicle in the picture is either a GMC Yukon XL or a Chevrolet Suburban: no cutout for the wheelwell in the rear door.

• Question Authority August 6, 2022 (9:53 am)

  One must always weigh the cost versus benefit of rushing into a volatile situation, but emotion and ownership clouds judgment sometimes.  Take just a few more seconds to prepare before jumping in and hit em hard with stealth and overwhelming force.  It sucks to be a victim of crime and watch those responsible just be set free to roam and pillage and shoot victims but welcome to the new Wild West.

  • sam-c August 6, 2022 (1:25 pm)

    I might say that too, in hindsight, but in the moment…?   I imagine if I was woken up / it was late… and I heard something, looked outside and saw someone in the act of a car prowl, the least that I would do, is open the door, and yell HEY!!! maybe lean out the door.  Which all might be considered, ‘confronting’ and what you do as an immediate , almost involuntary reaction.  I imagine that stopping to weigh the options while watching someone dig into your car, might not happen…in an adrenaline filled scenario.

    • Carol August 8, 2022 (6:33 pm)

      Shine a red laser light at them from inside your home

• Larry August 6, 2022 (10:30 am)

  I witnessed a hit and run on Alki last week. The suspect’s bumper and plate fell off his car as he raced away. I had license plate in hand and the police said they couldn’t do anything with it because it didn’t meet the definition of probable cause. 

  • Kim August 6, 2022 (3:44 pm)

    Funny, the police had enough manpower to follow me over the lower West Seattle bridge (I’m a medical worker with legitimate emergency access), and appeared to be waiting near the bridge for possible speeding violations. But every time we hear about these almost weekly shootings, there is little to no response. 

    • Carmel Slee August 6, 2022 (5:25 pm)

      I was at a residence on Alki and the police were making sure the mellow beach people are leaving! Meanwhile, their are motto cross and quads being stupid on the actual streets, along with other lawless having free game on the road.  It was irritating..   

• Curious August 6, 2022 (10:36 am)

  Have anybody been caught, prosecuted and what happens then?Where do they sell the items?Who are these these people doing this ?Just curious..

• bolo August 6, 2022 (10:50 am)

  Could that have been the victim’s vehicle being towed to the police yard for investigation and evidence (fingerprints, etc.)?

  Another topic:
  Many will (have?) talk about procuring a firearm for self protection. What if the victim had used a firearm against the suspects? Shot them? What is the liability? Or would he be free and clear because he was protecting his property? Or if the suspect drew first?

  Almost a romantic notion to shoot the bad guys but maybe it could be worse in the end is my thinking at this point.

  • BigB August 6, 2022 (1:20 pm)

    I don’t believe there is any state in the union that allows a victim to use lethal force to stop a property crime.If he was armed and the perpetrator pulled a gun then I believe he would be free to protect himself with leathal force.

    • Texas August 6, 2022 (3:16 pm)

      Oh, Hello there. I don’t believe we’ve met. 

    • Scubafrog August 6, 2022 (7:03 pm)

      Since durkan/Seattle Council’s destroyed the SPD, WA legislators need to  make it legal to protect our property with lethal force.  WA’s somewhat pro-gun anyhow.  Get off my lawn, stay away from things I own.   There were at least 3 shootings last night in Seattle, 1 was fatal. Harrell/Council aren’t adding police currently, and we’ve been in dire need for a long time.  It’s up to us to protect ourselves.

    • Alaska August 7, 2022 (6:31 am)

      I believe we have also not been introduced. 

• Dzag August 6, 2022 (10:57 am)

  This is heartbreaking I hope he recovers! We need to work together as a community and with law enforcement to reduce crime and hold those accountable who commit horrific acts of violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and we wish him a speedy recovery 

• they August 6, 2022 (11:00 am)

  emotion…compassion…this is our greatest gift and worst enemy…

• Cogburn August 6, 2022 (11:27 am)

  It’s getting out of control in the Seattle area. Support SPD; we need them.

  • Scott August 6, 2022 (12:38 pm)

    I saw an interview with the Prime Minister of Australia recently where he discussed how his country enacted very strict gun laws, including banning AR-15 style weapons, after the last mass shooting that occurred in Australia in 1996. He mentioned how not only have there not been any mass shootings since then, crime in general has decreased, and less violent.  Of course, they don’t have a second amendment to contend with there. Until we start electing enough folks who understand the consequences of so many guns on the streets of America, we will continue to keep having stories like this to read.

  • K August 6, 2022 (2:15 pm)

    They’re busy doing sweeps of homeless encampments and patrolling 3rd avenue for shoplifters.  SPD was never defunded and has the level of community support they’ve earned.  Their priorities (set in large part by the mayor, to put blame where it lies) are completely backwards.  Rape is practically legal in this city due to lack of investigation but it’s fine because we’re towing vehicles that have been parked in one spot for over 72 hours now.  All the resources are being directed at nuisance crimes.  It makes no sense.

    • OneTimeCharley August 6, 2022 (2:28 pm)

      I support SPD. I believe many more support them than not. Perhaps another locale will more closely align with your ideals K? Rock Candy Mountain?

    • Admyrl Byrd August 7, 2022 (9:38 am)

      Dismissing police activity on 3rd avenue as shoplifting is waaaay understating the problem on that stretch.  What us taxpaying voters should insist on is enough capacity so that we have SPD to enforce rape investigations, homeless sweeps, drug-infested block cleanups, home burglaries AND life-endangering traffic behavior.  I’ve never seen a city like Seattle deliberately cap the capacity of law enforcement and judiciary (jails, prosecutors, etc) and then just throw up their hands and make citizens accept bad choices.

    • proudpugetridger August 8, 2022 (11:15 am)

      K:  You are incorrect.  Respectfully, educating yourself will help better understand the problems we’re facing.  SPD HAS, in fact, been defunded significantly.  Uninformed, head-in-the-sand reactions do nothing to protect yourself, nor society as a whole.  I believe that addiction is the primary root cause of our crime and homelessness challenge.  92,000 overdose deaths per year, most of which are young people…it’s heart wrenching!  Enhancing (and enforcing!) our drug laws is critical to recovery.  Providing effective addiction support is critical to recovery.  Funding and supporting law enforcement is critical to recovery.  

      • WSB August 8, 2022 (12:39 pm)

        Much (not all) of the budget reduction for SPD was because parking enforcement and 911 were moved out of the department.

    • Lauren August 9, 2022 (9:42 pm)

      Spot on, K

• DJ Allyn August 6, 2022 (1:09 pm)

  While car theft is considered a minor felony case (most offender would have to steal six cars in five separate incidents to go to prison.  Same with car prowl.  Six points before you see the inside of a prison.This is ridiculous.  A car is no different than a horse was back in the 1800s.  It can mean the difference between you life and death.  At the very least, your livelihood, housing and food might depend on you having your vehicle.If you stole a horse back in the day, you’d be hung from the nearest tree — that’s how serious it is messing with a person’s transportation.  I’m not advocating for the death penalty for car thieves and prowlers, but there needs to be a punishment that will send a message to future thieves that stealing or breaking into another person’s vehicle is a VERY serious offense.But now the basic car prowler is armed, and not afraid to shoot their way out of trouble.  For THAT reason alone, there should be a mandatory minimum sentence of no less than five years in prison with no good time for anyone caught and convicted of car prowl or car theft.

• Admiral Neighbor August 6, 2022 (1:43 pm)

  If you compare the picture of the Yukon to the Yukon posted on May 18, 2022, the vehicle is likely the same. Same rim pattern and broken running board.Regardless, hope dude’s alright.

  • concerned August 6, 2022 (5:36 pm)

    I saw that also. I wonder if they are towing as they found a large number of catalytic converters inside the Yukon?

  • North Admiral Resident August 6, 2022 (7:38 pm)

    It’s not the same. I live on North Admiral on the block this occurred at. The vehicle last night had very expensive rims that I admired for more than two months. The kind that cost 10k+ easily. Hope he makes a full recovery. The block is all families. Stay safe. 

    • Another Neighbor August 6, 2022 (10:09 pm)

      The car with the rims is a more true white, it is still there as of this morning This was a tan SUV and was towed off after the incident. 

• Morgan August 6, 2022 (2:07 pm)

  Well….what if…we organized society, and pooled our monies, and hired some kind of defenders or protection, and passed laws to help judge when norms had been violated…and expose fewer of us to danger, and professionalized the protection and trained them somehow to enforce the rules…maybe then we wouldn’t all have to worry about liabilities and proper defense. Instead we could place calls to this defensive force that would be better trained and equipped, although they too would need to be subject to rules and norms against transgression. I don’t know if I’m onto anything here, but I’ve read stories about cities doing stuff like that. Some kind of “civilization,” whatchamacallit? May be better than everyone enforcing their own sense of the rules with their own weapons? Nutty notions, probably unworkable over long periods of time.

  • DB40 August 6, 2022 (4:12 pm)

    That’s un-American!

  • Lauren August 9, 2022 (9:43 pm)

    Funnily enough, we have tried that! And it unfortunately hasn’t worked. Highly recommend the book “The End of Policing”

• Lucy August 6, 2022 (4:26 pm)

  Y’all are nuts if you think you won’t be punished HARSHLY for protecting your property.   YOU  will be the criminal if you shoot someone while they steal from you.  Be careful out there.  

  • Ferns August 7, 2022 (3:07 am)

    The punishment for stealing is not death. 

• batgurrl August 6, 2022 (4:31 pm)

  Confronting criminals we found the hard way when a freind of my husband was killed by his robbers.  They were trying to break into his back door and he got his gun.  Then chased them outside.  They somehow got his gun and shot him in the head.  He is gone forever now due to these scumSo… be careful folks.  Sometimes it is best to just shout out the door and let what is just stuff be gone.  At least you will be alive to live another day.  Unlike our friend Damon.

  • onion August 6, 2022 (5:42 pm)

    batgurrl is absolutely correct.  I was robbed at gunpoint in Washington DC some years ago. I was in great shape at the time and felt fairly confident I could take the guy.  But I realized that if our scuffle ended up on the sidewalk that would probably be the end of my suit, and if I ended up with a hole in my side it would be even more costly (ya think??). Plus the loser’s girlfriend who was serving as a lookout was a wildcard. Plus I only had about $100 in my wallet, so I gave it to him. Cheap in comparison to the options.

• Mj August 6, 2022 (10:46 pm)

  Lucy – if only the judges and system were to treat the perps more harshly maybe we would see less crime and feel safer in our neighborhoods!

• Flowergirl August 7, 2022 (10:08 am)

  Please consider how you feel about the current state of things when you vote for prosecutor in November.  Do you want more of the same or someone who will really advocate for public safety?

Sorry, comment time is over.