WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Weekend gunfire; LA Fitness suspects update; hit-run search

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes this afternoon:

WEEKEND GUNFIRE: From the SPD weekend summaries, one incident of confirmed gunfire. Police went to Hamilton Viewpoint Park at 12:23 am Sunday after a report that someone had fired shots near the park entrance. Witnesses also mentioned a black sedan and/or silver SUV leaving the scene. Officers found evidence of gunfire but no victims or property damage.

LA FITNESS SUSPECTS: One more followup in the case of two 18-year-old men arrested Friday for allegedly threatening staff at the LA Fitness front desk in The Junction, with one of the suspects allegedly brandishing with what police say was a handgun modified to be fully automatic. Bail was set on Saturday for the allegedly armed suspect; prosecutors asked for $5,000 and that’s what a judge granted, with the suspect, who has no prior record, subsequently released after posting bond. The other suspect remains in jail in connection with unrelated cases, in which he is charged, so we are identifying him, 18-year-old Peter M. Rodrigue Jr. One of the prior cases is a juvenile burglary case but we were able to obtain the court documents for the other one, for which his bail is set for $100,000: He and another man are accused of trying to rob three people at gunpoint after following them off a bus in Auburn in August 2021; Rodrigue was 17 years old but was charged as an adult. The charge was filed in February 2022 after detectives identified Rodrigue and the other suspect via Metro security video. He failed to appear at a hearing last May and that’s when the warrant was issued. Court documents show both he and the LA Fitness incident suspect who has posted bond are West Seattle residents.

HIT-AND-RUN SEARCH: Reader report/request via email:

$100 reward for any information on a hit and run in West Seattle at Fauntleroy and 35th intersection.
(Collision) involved 2 cars. Friday Feb 3rd approximately 6:55 P.M. Rear-ended in the left lane while stopped at intersection, traveling toward West Seattle Bridge.

Car fled the scene turning right on a red light onto 35th headed south. Blue Toyota Prius with temporary license tag in back right corner of rear window and Dealership insert. Year between 2008-2013? The Prius is missing a large chunk of its front right bumper and its grill. Please email me at westseattlehitnrun@gmail.com. Police Report has been filed with the Seattle PD.

We’ll add that number when we get it. (Update: 23-032756.)

Seattlite February 6, 2023 (9:03 pm)

Rodrigue is a dangerous recidivist who should not be allowed to roam the streets. Period.

Canton February 6, 2023 (11:16 pm)

So the suspect, with an illegally altered gun used in a crime, was able to get released on bond… THIS is why we have a problem. Please,… criminal apologists, explain why this criminal needs to be free…

Lb February 7, 2023 (7:17 am)

So let me get this straight, the guy had a highly illegal modified weapon and only got 5,000 bail? These judges are why stuff like this keeps happening. Charge the man how you’re supposed to for an illegal FULL AUTO. If I can’t own one and I’ll go to prison if I do, he sure as hell shouldn’t just get a slap on the wrist then released to do this all over again.

DB40 February 7, 2023 (8:26 am)

It was the prosecutors who asked for a $5000 ball which was granted by the judge. Might want to question why the prosecution requested such a low bail; or is that the usual amount for a first time offense (even if it involves an illegal gun).

Tony February 7, 2023 (10:11 am)

Endangered the life of every single person in that gym, at a time when mass shootings are highly on the radar, and out on $5000 bail which means someone only had to come up with $500 to get him out. Imagine how much this emboldens a person with that mind set. Nothing seems to make sense these days with with our extremely relaxed standards on holding dangerous members of society. I’m truly baffled as to why this keeps happening.

WS February 7, 2023 (11:54 am)

It just sad for me hear this news.I knew Peter from high school friend and he was a good kid but he go into bad people and gang.I knew he had got into trouble before with police but I didn’t knew if it was true all the way. It just sad it happened. Him turning into wrong crowd. I knew his brother and we very close friends but he went onto a bad path and I decided not go to that route with him . in middle school we always run around hallways during class, be two goof balls. We were okay students in middle school. But he caught up with wrong people and he got into trouble. I don’t where he at anymore in life but I think he in same situation as Peter his little brother.

WSDUDEMAN February 7, 2023 (12:51 pm)

Anyone else find it striking that individuals and politicians that call for more gun control never demand accountability and severe punishment for people that actually USE guns in crimes?!?!? This is insane. You want to crack down on gun violence? Make a zero-tolerance law. People need to think twice about irresponsible and or illegal use of firearms.

Canton February 7, 2023 (7:58 pm)

Spot on. If they would make possession of a illegal firearm, especially if a felon, a mandatory 10 years, gun crime would drop like crazy.