WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Park gunfire

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

2:08 AM: The first “heard gunfire” report this time came from a police officer who was in the High Point vicinity. Then in short order, dispatch started reporting multiple 911 callers who heard it too, including one who saw “muzzle flashes” in the Walt Hundley Playfield vicinity. Officers have subsequently found shell casings “about 30 yards into the park.” 13 “pistol casings” found so far, as well as “rifle casings,” as officers described their findings to dispatch.

2:18 AM: So far no reports of injuries or property damage. One officer gave dispatch a more-specific location, in the park west of the 6900 block of 31st SW.

ADDED THURSDAY: The police summary of the incident describes the recovered casings as “twenty-two 9mm … and six .556.”

TChief August 29, 2023 (2:16 am)

I heard this from 37th and manning area would that be audible from that far away? It was a quick burst of shots.

DWJr August 29, 2023 (7:48 am)

It’s possible. I’m on 31st and Morgan and it sounded like it was right outside my window. Insanely loud series of auto rifle fire.
- High Point Person 8192 August 29, 2023 (7:23 pm)
  
  I thought this too. Heard them from viewpoint park area. Time on my phone was 1:58am. Much louder than the other gunshots in the area the last month which sounded like someone popping balloons in comparison.In any case, I am glad WSB is documenting these since many of these gunfire incidents simply appear as “noise complaints” when I try to look them up the next morning.
dB calculations August 29, 2023 (8:55 am)

It is very unlikely that what you heard at 37th and Manning was the same gunfire. Semi auto rifle fire is about 170dB at the muzzle. 37th and Manning is about two miles away from 6900 31st, so with a totally clear flat field in between you and the sound source, it would be about as quiet as background music (60dB ish). But it’s a whole city in between you and that point, with elevation changes, buildings, busy roads, etc. It would be completely drowned out by other ambient noise.31st and Morgan however, yes that would have sounded pretty loud.
Jeff August 29, 2023 (11:47 am)

You likely heard the fireworks that I heard, around midnight. I’m at 35/Andover

Jojo August 29, 2023 (2:56 am)

I heard this and it was really loud. I thought it was closer, too. It sounded like it was by Sylvan and Lanham st.

DWJr August 29, 2023 (7:53 am)

This is absolutely insane. Police need to do something about this s–t. The community around Walt Hundley is getting exhausted over these disrespectful kids flying around in cars during the day, shooting guns at each other at night. We are being out in a really tough spot, as we have to protect our families if no one else does.

Disappointed Citizen August 29, 2023 (9:40 am)

100% agree. This is third third shooting at Walt Huntley in a span of two months. The last shooting we could hear the bullets whizzing through our trees. Not to mention that these shootings are occurring in front of an elementary school and the police station is just down the hill. Also, aside from the shootings the bathrooms are vandalized with graffiti on a regular basis at night. CLEARLY Walt Huntley is a cesspool for illegal activity at night and we’ve seen ZERO change for how it’s being monitored by the city.Turn the soccer field lights on at night, add cameras, engage the neighborhood on what we can do to help. JUST DO SOMETHING.
- DWJr August 29, 2023 (3:07 pm)
  
  I agree. To do nothing is neglect. I wonder who would be at fault if we citizens have made tons of cries for help with nothing being done AND something worse happens?

JR August 29, 2023 (9:46 am)

Living at 32nd and Myrtle for quite a while we have become vey familiar with speeding down that street and the occasional rowdy late night crowd. Gunfire seems to be happening more frequently however. Curious if I could find out the number of reports this year vs last. SW Precinct doesn’t seem to answer their phone. Some civilian is going to catch a stray round sooner or later.

DWJr August 29, 2023 (3:06 pm)

Sad but true. It’s ridiculous how we seee the problem, know what it is and where it’s coming from but won’t make serious changes until something tragic happens.

LG August 29, 2023 (4:29 pm)

Now we know where the bullet I found on our porch this morning came from. According to our security cam it landed there (6600 block of Fauntleroy) at 1:59 am.