CRIME WATCH: Gunfire in Lincoln Park, teenager shot

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

11:53 PM: Police checking out reports of gunfire in the Lincoln Park area have found casings in one of the parking lots and one person who is wounded, found just east of the park near 46th/Rose. Updates to come.

11:57 PM: They’re also reporting at least one house hit by gunfire, 8000 block of Fauntleroy Way (right across from the park). Officers have told dispatch they’ve recovered five .45 casings so far. Meantime, the injured person is reported to have been shot in the leg. (Update: Knee.)

(Added: SPD photo)

12:06 AM: Police are reporting a “second scene” in the park, finding shell casings by the baseball diamond.

12:15 AM: According to an SFD radio transmission, the shooting victim is a 15-year-old boy.

12:36 AM: Officers told dispatch that they were told several people in the park were “firing guns into the air.” The victim, meantime, has been taken to the hospital.

12:43 AM: Officers say they have collected six .45 casings from the north parking lot.

Jen May 27, 2023 (11:56 pm)

I heard 4 shots.

AM May 28, 2023 (12:00 am)

Gatewood resident here – I heard at least 10 shots go off 20 mins ago… assuming it was this. ☹️

Anu May 28, 2023 (12:01 am)

That was a lot of shots. I heard it in Gatewood. Was hoping it was fireworks.

Gatewood Resident May 28, 2023 (12:02 am)

Two shootings in one night… I have no words. WS does not feel as safe as it used to. I live in the Gatewood area and heard these shots go off about 20 mins ago.

Kersti Elisabeth Muul May 28, 2023 (7:05 am)

3

Alex kanias May 28, 2023 (12:07 am)

Genesee resident -and I heard the shots too. I thought I heard maybe 4 or 5 shots, then a burst of rapid fire of at least another 5 shots. Amazed I could hear them this far away…peaceful neighbourhood night shattered by gunfire

George May 28, 2023 (12:08 am)

Heard 15 shots full auto.

Annie gurr May 28, 2023 (12:10 am)

I heard about 10 gunshots, 1-3 were slow, then the rest were fast, sounded like fireworks

Danimal May 28, 2023 (12:12 am)

Anyone firing a .45 caliber pistol at someone is looking to murder that person. They weren’t trying to maybe just hurt them or teach them a lesson in respect. A .45 round will blow a massive hole in someone. Whoever did this deserves no quarter from the justice system.

hd May 28, 2023 (12:21 am)

Those were my initial thoughts as well. You don’t mess around with a .45.
West Seattle guy May 28, 2023 (12:48 am)

Yeah im going to assume if you fire any caliber of weapon at someone you are probably trying to kill them.
Fred May 28, 2023 (5:05 am)

I’m hearing this was teens partying in the park and shooting guns in the air. Hope that’s true, and that the gunshot was accidental. Not that it’s much better… a teen shooting a .45 is still a very scary thought.
- Consider May 29, 2023 (4:36 pm)
  
  They weren’t just firing up in the air. Our house was hit, penetrated the wall, the bullet next to the bed–the only way that could happen is if they were aiming at something our direction
  - Me mama May 29, 2023 (4:51 pm)
    
    OMG I’m so sorry that happened to you. Kids shouldn’t have guns. Please.
- Aly May 29, 2023 (10:14 pm)
  
  Kids playing with guns in a park or anywhere isn’t anything to take lightly. They shouldn’t even have guns. Plus, they hit someone’s house. It could have been worse.

Whit May 28, 2023 (12:13 am)

Gatewood resident here. Heard several shots that were spaced out and then something that sounded like an automatic pistol, several shots together. Nothing after that. Wanted to believe it was fireworks, but knew it was probably gunfire. Good job, West Seattle Blog for the fast news.

jsparra May 28, 2023 (7:52 am)

Heard the same, them one of those motorcycles speed of, the crotch rocket type. 6 speed out shots, then automatic gun response, 10-15.
- Bob the listener May 28, 2023 (12:35 pm)
  
  We live a couple blocks up the hill from the park, just north of the north parking lot. Our open bedroom window faces in the direction of the north parking lot. I also estimated at least 15 shots in all. 1 shot, followed 5 or 10 seconds (???) later by 3 separate shots, then followed by 4 or 5 distinct reports. After a brief pause their was at least one burst, possibly two, of what I assumed was an automatic weapon. There had to have been at least half dozen more shots from this. The initial single shots sounded like they originated slightly north of the parking lot. The automatic fire was seemed like it might have been slightly south of the intial single shots., possibly in, or near the parking lot.All of this follow by some commotion, which I assumed was people heading south on Fauntleroy.

JNo May 28, 2023 (12:23 am)

Our society has proven we are not responsible enough to keep 2nd amendment rights unregulated

Mike May 29, 2023 (5:58 am)

Well, it is heavily regulated and this event proves laws on the books need to be enforced or else they’re useless laws. As you’re probably aware, individuals were under 18, which is not old enough to posess a firearm without adult supervision. It’s also illegal to discharge a firearm in city limits unless in self defense of a deadly threat or grave bodily harm, again you have to be 18+ years of age to do that too. From the reports, these might have been altered semiautomatic pistols to make them fully automatic, again illegal and a penalty of 10 years in prison (even possession of the parts to alter the gun to make it automatic is 10 years in prison). Highly likely these were stolen firearms, yet again illegal and come with heavy sentences when enforced. Sadly we have judges who don’t uphold laws here and lack resources now (low numbers for police force) to do the work needed to make these laws effective. Society is responsible, but the 2nd amendment isn’t the problem here.
Me mama May 29, 2023 (4:52 pm)

💯
WSRez May 29, 2023 (5:33 pm)

Teenagers with guns is more of a parents problem than a 2nd amendment problem.
Cathy M May 30, 2023 (9:09 am)

agreed – regulate hard and heavy.

Bdr May 28, 2023 (7:10 am)

Three shootings in WS last night? Wow. Is it too early to know if they are related? With the escalation of shootings in WS over the last month, this is out of hand. Wish I had some good ideas to help stop the violence. This is not the great city it once was. So very sad and frustrated things are getting worse, not better.

Gatewood Resident May 28, 2023 (8:12 am)

100% agree. :-(
Mel May 28, 2023 (11:16 am)

Perhaps proactive policing? It would take a lot for city leadership to go this direction unfortunately. I know people don’t like “stop and frisk”, but getting guns out of the hands of these people BEFORE the crime is committed is the way to stop it.
Jon May 29, 2023 (9:33 am)

Great Idea: Punish Violent Recidivist “Teens”. Actually prosecute and convict. No mercy or leniency for exhibiting sociopathic behavior. I know, it’s a very complex plan; but, with enough Big Brains voting for these ideas, we may just experience less violent crime.

Sid May 28, 2023 (7:13 am)

Teenagers in the park shooting guns, one bullet hit something very close to our house. One 15 year old hit. I heard it all. Stupid and insane. We got to have a police presence in the park at night.

Alki resident May 28, 2023 (8:22 am)

Police at the park? Why, just in case? Police can’t be everywhere and all of last nites incidents prove that.,
- Erik May 28, 2023 (12:23 pm)
  
  While I understand the police department is understaffed, having them do periodic patrols just to be seen at some of these hotspots (Lincoln Park and Alki), during the late evening and early morning hours might deter kids from going there and shooting off guns.
  - Mike May 29, 2023 (6:08 am)
    
    You seem to not understand how far understaffed they are.
Oliver May 28, 2023 (9:05 pm)

Agree, but police aren’t much of a deterrent if prosecutors don’t prosecute and judges don’t sentence. Bring back consequences, it’s parenting and criminal Justice 101.

Odd son May 28, 2023 (10:48 am)

According to the city’s website, Lincoln Park closes at 11:30 pm. People used to honor things like that. I’m guessing people are there well after that on a regular basis, especially spring/summer.

Carrie May 28, 2023 (11:47 am)

There was a gathering of teenagers at the park for a party. 50-70 kids these parties are becoming a regular thing. Alcohol is present.

Julie Watkins May 28, 2023 (11:56 am)

Unfortunately, having teenagers ( or anyone) running around at midnight in a park, carrying guns, is a recipe for disaster. I wish we could do something about people carrying around loaded weapons, whether they’re juveniles or not. A simple argument easily escalates to a deadly situation when someone has a gun……..add drugs or alcohol and it’s even more likely the gun gets used.

Rhonda May 28, 2023 (12:24 pm)

Something has already been done a long time ago. It’s always been highly illegal for juveniles to carry guns. It’s also illegal for adults to consume alcohol while possessing firearms. Likewise, it’s a crime for anyone to shoot guns off in public. The teens last night were doing all three because of the lack of laws being enforced at our parks. From all accounts the teens weren’t arguing or fighting.
Brandon May 28, 2023 (4:05 pm)

There is nothing that can be done about people carrying weapons around, its been like that for over 2 centuries. Novel idea though, we could teach children about morality and how to resolve their differences without turning to life threatening violence. Or you know, have them be decent people. It starts in the home folks. Guns weren’t a problem until people started to throw away respected values. But don’t let me stop everyone from ignoring the real issue.
- WSRes May 28, 2023 (7:23 pm)
  
  Brandon nailed it.
- Oliver May 28, 2023 (8:59 pm)
  
  100%
- MJD May 28, 2023 (9:05 pm)
  
  Guns weren’t a problem until gun culture took over and Guns are too easily obtained. There are more Guns than people in the US
- John May 28, 2023 (10:28 pm)
  
  No it has not been people carrying guns around fro two centuries that brought us here.
  
  In the past people owned long guns for hunting, handguns were in the minority of firearms.
  It is the prevalence of gun ownership and gun worship that have brought this country down and made the USA and p\our 2nd Amendment the laughing stock of the world.
  We have the highest gun ownership and carnage because we have more guns than people.
  Stating the obvious.
  - Sgs May 29, 2023 (7:08 am)
    
    It’s both issues: lack of self-control/ ethical behavior, care about other people/community AND waaaaaaayyyyyy too many guns in this country. The constant argument about whether it’s people or guns is a distraction. The problem is both and both need to be addressed.We are on the same road to hell when arguing about climate change, healthcare, entitlements, etc. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle.
  - Melissa May 29, 2023 (4:02 pm)
    
    Thank you, John. You’re correct. The US is the anomaly. We’re not more mentally ill or less moral than the rest of the humans in other nations; we have more access to handguns and – unfortunately – many of us have a limitless appetite for them.

937 May 28, 2023 (1:05 pm)

It is TRULY embarassing how people do mot know what they’re talking about.

“Automatic weapons” not likely. SEMI-automatic may be what they’re thinking of.

Please educate yourselves about the difference.

AK May 28, 2023 (9:36 pm)

No, it was definitely automatic fire at one point. That or someone had a bump stock.I heard the speed and no-one can move their finger that fast on a semi-automatic.
Roddy3 May 28, 2023 (9:52 pm)

I don’t really give a damn about the difference between automatic and semi-automatic. They both kill people and that’s what really matters, not your dumb clarifications.
Whit May 28, 2023 (10:18 pm)

Did you hear the gunfire? Probably not. I heard it and I do know the difference. The last part of the gunfire did not sound semi-automatic. It sounded automatic. There was no spacing between the bullets and it definitely wasn’t individual trigger pulls. Please educate yourself on how to not be rude.
Jay May 28, 2023 (11:56 pm)

Don’t be so condescending. Giggle switches are very popular in our area, and they convert a Glock to full auto. Automatic fire is getting more and more common. Class 3 restrictions are barely enforced and gun mod culture is growing.

WSRes May 28, 2023 (2:23 pm)

There’s a pretty big opportunity coming up to choose a new direction for Seattle. Elections have consequences.

Michelle May 28, 2023 (10:01 pm)

Is there anymore information on the 15year old that was shot? Do we know how he’s doing and is he a student at one of the High Schools here in WS?

Kersti Elisabeth Muul May 28, 2023 (10:24 pm)

What’s unfortunate is that many parents are letting their kids go to these parties, knowing that drinking is going on.

waikikigirl May 29, 2023 (10:07 am)

I agree. So many parents know and just say to their kids be safe and don’t do anything stupid. When you say something to “the parent” like why are you letting them go when you know there will be alcohol and they just say “oh we did it at their age and we’re ok” WELL NO IT IS NOT OK! It is not like it was when you were their age, there is so much more. There’s guns, fentanyl, date rape drug…the list goes on! Be smart, start being the parent again and not your kids best friend, they’ll get over it, you not letting them do whatever they want will keep them safe and alive BE THE PARENT AGAIN and they will grow up to live a long safe life and they’ll see you as their best friend.
Me mama May 29, 2023 (4:57 pm)

Ha ha ha! “Parents letting their kids go to these parties” nope! Kids don’t ask their parents permission To go drink in the woods. I didn’t, nor did any of my schoolmates back in the 90’s.
- waikikgirl May 30, 2023 (8:53 pm)
  
  @me mamma – And now you are a parent I presume by your user name. So when your kids go out for the evening saying they’re going to so and so’s house or the movies or wherever you’ll let them go and say “be home at 10″…just remember you said you did it, not tell the truth where you were going back when you were a teen…Again be the parent teach them respect, responsibility and to be truthful. And if you are that good parent CONGRATULATIONS to you, GOOD JOB! And just an FYI… I was a teen in the 70’s
Eldorado May 31, 2023 (6:29 am)

…just like we all used to do in high school… and just like our parents did in high school… and so on. But to be fair, virtually none of us went to those parties with guns.

Sue L. May 29, 2023 (9:25 am)

I was really, truly gobsmacked when I heard about these shootings. IMHO, the country is in crisis, and we only have ourselves to blame. Yes, elections have consequences, political parties [Republicans] are fueling the chaos, and gun ownership is out of control. Parents, as always, must be held to account for letting the kids go to those parties, but it’s not like it used to be: folks must keep their eyes (and ears) wide open now. God help us.

Oliver May 29, 2023 (10:45 am)

Yeah, sure it’s only Republicans causing chaos. Just ignore the fact that Republicans don’t control this state or city. Republicans weren’t the ones pushing to defund the police, they are not the elected prosecutors not prosecuting or the judges not sentencing. There’s plenty of chaos caused by both deep division between the parties, blaming one side contributes to that as moderates who might otherwise work together can’t get elected.

Consider May 29, 2023 (4:28 pm)

Just found one of the bullets from this shooting–penetrated our house, a nice little hole in the wall, the police gotta start doing sweeps of Lincoln. This was no mere shooting guns up in the air, they were aiming at something.

ArborRes May 29, 2023 (9:45 pm)

Dear “Consider” – I am horrified that you have to deal with this awful news. Thank goodness you were not physically injured. Lincoln Park is such a beautiful place; it’s awful that a place of respite for people, their pets, and wildlife has been sullied in this manner. I know it may not make any direct difference, but please know that as a West Seattle-ite and frequent visitor to the park, I am thinking of you during this difficult time. Wake up, Seattle, and recognize that accountability is needed; it doesn’t have to be jail for every offense, but violent crimes at least need to be taken seriously. I have had long-term visits to a few cities in the world (“first” world and developing countries) and have never seen a place where such mayhem is tolerated by people in authority. This young man who was shot – my thoughts are with him, too, and I hope he will do the right thing and share information that will aid the police in bringing these other people (or this other person) to justice.

Lincoln Park Mom May 30, 2023 (10:34 am)

More gun regulations. Law abiding gun owners will have no trouble with their precious guns. On the other hand, it will be more difficult for unlawful people to obtain. All guns must be registered and the owner of that gun held accountable for any illegal activity from said gun. That means, if a person loses the gun or it is stolen, it must be reported immediately or you are pretty much pulling the trigger when it’s used illegally, children who obtain their parents guns will be disciplined along with their parents for any illegal activity. This isn’t hard people. Make gun owners take responsibility for their irresponsible actions. Lock the GD guns up!! This incident took place across the street from me. Now my children can not go to the park they love and have been playing in since birth. This sucks! When alike closes at 10pm, they’ll be coming up to Lincoln Park.

Was at lincoln May 30, 2023 (2:02 pm)

UPDATES?I really want to know what happened to the 15 year old, is he ok? And are there any updates on the suspects or anything else?

parent May 31, 2023 (8:21 pm)

my high schooler is saying the word at WSHS is there were a lot of wshs kids there (mine wasn’t he was camping with us, thank goodness!). the talk is also that highline kids were there too. it would be good to get an update.

WSB May 31, 2023 (8:31 pm)

There is no additional info available from police and unless someone is arrested, when investigative info would come out in court docs, I don’t expect there will be. I don’t know the victim’s name, so the hospital was unable to look up his status. = TR

Sorry, comment time is over.