FOLLOWUP: Alki shooting investigation, and our check of past cases

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Monday night photo by Christopher Boffoli)

No arrests reported yet in last night’s shooting of a woman and man, both 37, near 62nd SW and Alki Avenue SW. Police have not commented since last night, when a briefing was provided at the scene and an SPD Blotter post with a few additional details followed. We asked them followup questions today but have yet to hear back. We also asked our area’s City Councilmember Lisa Herbold whether she had spoken to police leadership about the shootings. Here’s her reply:

Capt. Rivera let me know that SPD’s response included officers from other areas of the city. Further, this shooting was the subject of SPD’s weekly Gun Violence Reduction meeting today. As you know, the information that can be released is limited during an open investigation, but Capt. Rivera let me know that SPD will release updates when they can and the follow-up unit is still working the case and searching for evidence.

SPD had already deployed emphasis patrol throughout the area. Since emphasis patrols rely on assigning officers to overtime, the ability to staff the emphasis can be limited by capacity when there are higher priorities for officers on overtime.

Capt. Martin Rivera is commander of the Southwest Precinct, which handles West Seattle and South Park. He or one of his watch commanders may be at tomorrow night’s District 1 Community Network meeting (7 pm online, link will be in tomorrow morning’s West Seattle Wednesday preview list) if you’d like to ask a question. And the precinct itself (2300 SW Webster) will be the site of the twice-rescheduled community meeting with police at 6 pm Thursday, November 17th. Meantime, if you have any information about the shooting, the SPD tip line is 206-233-5000.

Meantime, with ongoing comment discussion touching on questions about accountability and what happens if/when someone is arrested, we looked back at three Alki shootings in which arrests were made during the past two years:

JUNE 2021 QUADRUPLE SHOOTING: This Alki shooting killed 22-year-old Tilorae Shepherd and injured three other people. Charging documents say it followed some kind of disagreement over fireworks. 19-year-old Milton Arnold III of Des Moines was arrested and charged with murder and assault. Arnold had no convictions but was at the time facing possible charges in a robbery and assault case in Des Moines. He remains in King County Jail, awaiting trial, with a status hearing later this month.

NOVEMBER 2020 SHOOTING: 35-year-old Garrett Heinemann of Alki was charged with assault for allegedly shooting a neighbor who was driving down an alley. The victim survived; the motive was a mystery. Heinemann, who has no criminal record, remains in the King County Jail, awaiting trial, with a status hearing next week.

FEBRUARY 2020 DOUBLE SHOOTING: An acquaintance of the two victims, both of whom survived, claimed the shootings happened in a robbery attempt, but an Alki business’s security video showed what really happened. 23-year-old Allan Hawley of Marysville pleaded guilty earlier this year and was sentenced to 7 years and 9 months in prison, as reported here, with credit for the two years he had already spent behind bars. Hawley had one past conviction, for burglary as a teenager.

Ferns November 1, 2022 (9:31 pm)

my first reaction was how outrageous it is for the suspects to have to wait 1-2 YEARS for a trial! My god, that’s unacceptable. Pandemic or not. Justice delayed is justice denied. The victims deserve the trial and witnesses and evidence can be lost during such a lengthy delay. It’s unfair to everyone. My second reaction, Thanks for the summary. I think the fireworks dispute was actually early July for the holiday, not June. I think there have been other shots fired in the Alki vicinity though they didn’t necessarily hit people. Certainly have been shootings in North Admiral and farther Delridge this year. Alki is such a small area! and it benefitted from police presence summer weekend evenings that surely deterred additional shootings. It’s sad.

WSB November 1, 2022 (9:43 pm)

No, the shooting happened June 29th.
https://westseattleblog.com/2021/06/shooting-reported-on-alki-2/

As for other incidents, yes, there have been multiple incidents of gunfire with no injuries, and in the same time frame (past two years) one incident in which two people were injured and no arrests made, I did not have the time to do an entire history of all gunfire calls on Alki these past few years so decided to look into the three in which arrests were made. And yes of course Alki’s not the only place where there’s been gunfire/shootings – we covered it all – but for this particular story’s purposes, as a sidebar to last night’s Alki shooting, we picked that geographic focus – TR
FormerSeattle November 2, 2022 (8:29 am)

There are many reasons justice can take that amount of time and some of it can be due to requests for a continuance on the part of the defendant’s attorney which is agreed to by the prosecutor and/or the judge. The delay is not due to just one side always. This is not an unusual amount of time for a case to go through the court.

Seattlite November 1, 2022 (9:46 pm)

Seattle’s increased crime is unacceptable. Who is doing anything about it?

Canton November 2, 2022 (8:09 am)

Hopefully, voters.
- jsparra November 2, 2022 (9:40 am)
  
  Amen
- Davis November 2, 2022 (9:50 am)
  
  Until we vote in a new city council and new mayor the violence will continue.

Cameras November 1, 2022 (10:00 pm)

That the reason why we need cameras on Alki.We could had approved having cameras on the light posts years ago,Now do we all agree!!

AG November 1, 2022 (10:24 pm)

We do not “all agree,” no. We have literally decades of data from multiple cities on why unmonitored LE cameras are a net-negative — entirely aside from privacy concerns, cameras do not deter and they do not provide useful evidence sufficient to compensate for cost, trouble, etc.; therefore, saying No to cameras is just sensible risk management. And that’s right — even if cameras were funded, the human infrastructure to make them useful just isn’t there.So, again, that’ll be a No from here.
- Sasquatch November 2, 2022 (8:23 am)
  
  “ but an Alki business’s security video showed what really happened.” Maybe you didn’t read the post completely. Its a big YES for cameras
- Alki Resident November 2, 2022 (8:45 am)
  
  This “information” is patently incorrect. There are studies from major cities all over the world (NY, London, Stockholm, etc) going back 2 decades showing that cameras and lighting DO reduce crime, up to 37%, depending on the type of crime. Furthermore, they help to identify criminals and are useful in criminal cases when crimes are committed. The public also reports that they overwhelmingly feel safer when cameras are installed and working. Alki would be greatly helped by having more cameras and lighting!
RickB November 1, 2022 (10:24 pm)

No, if we have to give up a “right,” I’d rather it be the right to have a gun than the right to privacy.
- Herongrrrl November 2, 2022 (7:24 am)
  
  Well said, Rick B!
- Adam November 2, 2022 (7:44 am)
  
  Well luckily we don’t have to give up either.
- Rick November 2, 2022 (8:03 am)
  
  How about giving up the right to choose which right you “have” to choose to give up? Asking for a friend.
- A-Red November 2, 2022 (8:49 am)
  
  Honest question: what expectation of privacy do we have on public streets?
  - Lincoln Park Mom November 2, 2022 (9:54 am)
    
    Exactly. This isn’t a camera pointed in someones yard. It’s cameras on public streets where privacy goes out the door in public places. Jeez people. Don’t want a camera catching you picking your nose? Or breaking a law? It’s a yes for me. And until it’s your loved one who is shot and there are no leads, you will continue to tout your privacy rights in public.
- Chuck Jacobs November 2, 2022 (11:15 am)
  
  If you think that the second amendment to the U.S. Constitution or Article 1, Section 24 of Washington’s Constitution should be repealed, there is a legal process for that. I commend you on your civic involvement.
Azimuth November 2, 2022 (8:06 am)

No thanks on the cameras, there are enough already in this world. I don’t want Seattle to become China, or worse, London.
- CarDriver November 2, 2022 (10:41 am)
  
  Azimuth. When do you start your campaign to eliminate ring and other home security cameras?? If you read the WSB or watch any of the local news you’ll see a LOT of videos showing not just the home/business property but street/sidewalk shots too. I’m betting a whole lot of people in your neighborhood have video of you and others walking/biking/driving by. We’re being watched FAR more by private citizens/businesses than we are by the “government”
Lucy November 2, 2022 (8:44 am)

Wow, that’s mighty “Big Brother-ish” of you.No thanks.
David November 2, 2022 (9:17 am)

cameras in public places are especially helpful when cars are involved in the crime

alki_2008 November 1, 2022 (10:48 pm)

These 3 violent criminals were all from Western WA? But I thought “a lot of” violent criminals were coming from Spokane, ID, or out-of-state. /s

John Smith November 2, 2022 (12:28 am)

In the picture by Christopher Boffoli, are the SFD personnel wearing Kevlar helmets and vests? If so, I think it’s a prudent precaution (given the critical shortage of SPD personnel caused by the Seattle City Council, including our not-so-esteemed Med Lisa Herbold).

CarDriver November 2, 2022 (6:45 am)

Adding to the Garrett Heinemann shooting the victim had moved into an adjacent apartment building (different landlords) a month previous and had NEVER talked/interacted/had ANY issues with the shooter. It was a 100% random act.

Alki family November 2, 2022 (7:28 am)

If I’m reading Lisa Herbold’s statement correctly there were emphasis patrols. However it sounds like they may/may not have been fully staffed as they rely on overtime officers. Is that correct?

WSB November 2, 2022 (10:09 am)

In one of our community-meeting reports, we noted the precinct saying they had approval to staff an emphasis patrol with officers on overtime. Some days/nights OT officers are needed just to meet the basic staffing level.

Mike November 2, 2022 (8:25 am)

Why are these guys still awaiting trial after two years? Should be tried long ago.

Audifans November 2, 2022 (10:03 am)

Cameras would be a helpful addition. We have enough trouble with everyone going around with masks on for identification. Cameras would catch the vehicles involved and that might lead to tracking people down that commit crimes.

Maria November 2, 2022 (10:41 am)

I have not heard anything more about the victims unless I have simply missed it. Are they Alki neighbors or West Seattle locals? Have they said anything about whether they had encountered that car prior to the incident (was it rage)? Doesn’t make the crime any different, but being a frequent visitor of that Alki stretch makes me want a bigger picture of what may have gone down.

WSB November 2, 2022 (11:24 am)

Aside from one commenter who said the female victim is a longtime friend and is expected to recover but in a lot of pain, that’s all we’ve heard. Police and fire do not release victims’ names. Without their names, hospitals won’t release condition information (and even with names, people have the right to tell hospitals not to release that information to the media). As for other details, police aren’t saying anything – they declined to answer our questions, responding with only: “Active and ongoing investigation. No new updates from investigators at this time.” – TR
- Admiral November 2, 2022 (1:00 pm)
  
  WSB, can you press the PIOs for a statement about whether there is ongoing danger to the community during the active Alki investigation? Same about Safeway incident last night?

Johnny Stulic November 2, 2022 (11:19 am)

Can someone explain how having cameras that could remotely monitor and record crimes is “big brother” and “China”, but having increased police patrols is not? I am genuinely baffled with this narrowly defined alleged police state privacy intrusion in public places. You do realize that actual police officers can still see you, right?

CREEPY November 2, 2022 (12:37 pm)

It’s a slippery slope. Why not monitor internet traffic as well? You could probably prevent some minority report type crimes there before they even happen. I’d almost consider that public since its a provided service at libraries and subsidized by our government. I’ve made a stop in Beijing once during a long layover… it was not friendly. The government makes it very known that you are being watched. Camera stations everywhere. Good luck trying to get WiFi like I tried too. No Restaurant/bakery/bar would share since they are afraid of what a foreigner might try and search while linked to their ip address. I dont think i’d want to live in those conditions. I certainly dont support shootings like this either.
- alki_2008 November 4, 2022 (8:25 pm)
  
  The point of cameras is not preventative, but to review footage AFTER something happens to hopefully help with investigating and catching/prosecuting criminals. Thereby providing some perceived justice to the victims and maybe even preventing additional victims in the future from the criminals. Do you really think cops are going to be watching Alki footage 24/7 to see something embarrassing that you might be doing?

James November 2, 2022 (11:21 am)

NO TO CAMERAS! NO TO COPS! Just do gun control. My gosh it’s so simple!!!!

WS Guy November 2, 2022 (4:01 pm)

Gun control enforced by… who?
- admyrl byrd November 2, 2022 (10:26 pm)
  
  You win the internet today WS Guy

Mike November 2, 2022 (3:20 pm)

Sorry to say it, but I’m a YES for cameras along Alki. I wish we lived in a Seattle where that sort of thing wasn’t necessary in order to improve public safety–but with this sort of gunplay becoming common there and elsewhere in the city it’s time to take some common sense steps to improve our odds of outliving the carved pumpkins on our doorstep. Yes, we also need common-sense gun control measures and Yes, we also need real live cops to intervene and put these rotten children in cuffs–but surveillance cameras would be a good start.

admyrl byrd November 2, 2022 (10:29 pm)

It often puzzles me about people who want better safety, but say no to cameras for public area surveillance, traffic enforcement, etc. What are you actually afraid of? Are you paranoid, or do you just don’t want to get caught? The minute I step off my 5,000 sqft lot of heaven, I assume I am entitled to no specific privacy and expect that private and public cameras may capture me anywhere. And I’m okay with that. You know why?Because I’m not breaking any laws.

Sorry, comment time is over.