WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Big police response in High Point, 1 arrested

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Thanks for the tips about a sizable police response in High Point. We got there just as it was wrapping up. Officers at the scene told us that it had to do with a “hate crime that happened hours earlier.” One person was arrested. We asked SPD’s media office for further details; here’s the summary with which they replied:

Officers responded to reports of a male yelling racist remarks at passerby and pointing a gun at them in the 6000 block of Lanham Pl SW. Officers arrived and contacted a victim who stated the suspect threatened to kill them and pointed a gun toward them. Officers contacted the suspect and took him into custody. The suspect will be booked into KCJ [King County Jail] for investigation of hate-crime offense and felony harassment. Officers determined the weapon used was a BB gun.

The response had Lanham Place SW blocked near Graham, according to readers, but it should be clearing now if it hasn’t cleared already.

ADDED WEDNESDAY: The suspect is 38 years old. We hope to find out more about what happened in documentation that should be available after his bail/probable-cause hearing.

the silence is apologizing January 9, 2024 (11:22 pm)

Does anyone else find it strange that all the prominent commenters are silent to this particular crime, but stumble over one another to call for locking up youth and minorities when they’re implicated? Does this type of crime warrant a trial where little kids shoplifting bypasses the judicial process? Where are the photos and the calls for a long prison sentence? The silence speaks volumes.

Rhonda January 10, 2024 (1:36 am)

1) Violent offenders over age 18 already get appropriately-long sentences. 2) Most violent youth offenders are using real guns, not BB guns. 3) This sounds more like a mentally ill or intoxicated person as he had no means to kill or cause serious injury to anyone. 4) SPD handled the situation quickly and effectively.
Neighbor January 10, 2024 (7:35 am)

Nobody owes you their opinion. You aren’t the main character in the game of life.
WS steve January 10, 2024 (7:37 am)

Saw the article. Had no opinion but lots of questions. Never post on these things but I think anyone who would needs to know more information before commenting.
Second that notion January 10, 2024 (9:58 am)

I was on here yesterday reading the comments under the Rite-Aid incident and couldn’t help but notice the photo/race of said individuals and just how lax the directives within the comments were. Opposed to the usual rhetoric suggesting how judges need to hold youth accountable to adult sentencing even going beyond stating how they should lock em up throw away the key or hold these misguided youth to the harshest of punishment suggesting inhumane acts of disciplinary measures. All these cruel and unusual notions of ripping said youth from communities that have failed them with zero understanding or forgiveness towards inner urban youth. Nothing like the majority of comments made in yesterdays story where for the first time mostly the narrative was oh they’re just juveniles it’s only a phase with the proper therapy or counseling they should be set straight. All steering from the usual no tolerance responses demanding more info on said suspects like photos footage and more detailed descriptions even taking note on how protecting their identities as juveniles shouldn’t matter simply based on the fact that they are committing crimes. The comparison between the commenters reaction to yesterdays story opposed to those involving youth that come from multi ethnic backgrounds(non-white) was astounding. Most were concerned with how could they release photos of these juveniles even though they were only of the back of there heads. Granted the Reddit link and those who were suggesting that identities should be known due to the consistent terrorizing to the community claims. But more or less they’re was more concern with how the community should be aware of said individuals to enable feeling prepared living in the same community as these kids. Giving complete tolerance showing care and concern willing to adapt with their criminal acts and intentions when in most other incidents involving youth on the same destructive path there is no forgiveness or any concerns just hate and disgust that they are forced to live in the same communities with these hoodlums. Clearly displaying the evident divide and racism that is still very much a issue in todays society.
amd January 10, 2024 (12:05 pm)

The louder commenters are generally a lot more concerned about property crimes than physical threats. Stolen cars and cash registers will always get more attention than stabbings and gun-waving. It’s sad, but true.
- Stop shaming your fellow residents, amd January 10, 2024 (5:47 pm)
  
  That’s a pretty big stretch, amd. Perhaps the limited comments are due to the fact that people are desensitized to (and expect) crime in High Point, the SPD response was swift, there wasn’t a deadly weapon, etc? Had this been in Admiral with a real gun we’d be over 200 comments by now.
  - bark bark bark bark January 10, 2024 (9:33 pm)
    
    Wow. Desensitized to crime, you say. Expecting it. Wow. In response to your dog whistle, I say “bark bark bark”. I bet you have a Black Lives Matter sticker on your car too. Sad, this town. Sad.
    - Stop shaming your fellow residents, amd January 10, 2024 (11:37 pm)
      
      Well, bark x 4, it’s pretty revealing that you injected race into the conversation. That speaks volumes.
Neighbor January 11, 2024 (10:32 am)

How can you know who is a prominent commenter and whether they are commenting? We use interchangeable identifying names (therefore not identifying) here with each post, don’t we?
West Seattle Nomad January 14, 2024 (1:11 pm)

@Replytothesilence – In a word, Yes, and thank you. I’ve also noted when the word “thug” is used and when it is not, when compassion and calls for more mental health and support are heralded and when they are not. They don’t see it. Thank you for seeing it.

Peace maker January 10, 2024 (5:36 am)

Hate and prejudice doesn’t solve anything look deeper and find peace every one needs love. End hate crimes call people out if you see something wrong people need to know when they are wrong it’s 2024.. white black yellow red. Hate is hate regardless of color. We all need to stop hate anywhere anytime, love and compassion moves mountains

Oliverjustadog January 10, 2024 (8:17 am)

I don’t see anywhere that indicates the race of the person accused. Hate crime victims are not all BIPOC and perpetrators are not necessarily White.

HoneyBun January 10, 2024 (8:36 am)

Yelling racist things while waving around a BB gun isn’t the same as stealing cars at gunpoint (or a BB gun) and smashing them into things. This could also be explained as someone with mental health issues. Stealing cars at gunpoint and using the vehicle for high speed chases and as battering rams cannot reasonably be explained simply as someone in crisis. Is it serious? Hell yeah it’s serious. Lock that fool azz up for sure, but not sure anything useful, sociologically speaking, can be derived from the lack of comments after this particular story.

Marcus January 10, 2024 (8:40 am)

I am very concerned with violent youth and also youth crime sprees. I think that these youths should be prosecuted many times as adults. Yet the political will of many far lefter leaning citizens is just not there. Ignoring this issue is easier to many people and politicians have to walk that narrow line or be classified and far right even if they are just moderate.

DBurns January 10, 2024 (5:00 pm)

@thesilenceisapologizing – well said. Thank you for this comment. It’s obvious to some of us but this blog is always a great reminder of who also lives in this community and feels brave behind a keyboard.

krow January 10, 2024 (6:24 pm)

Making such a comparison with only one white teenager article isn’t much material. Now if there was an actual trend then there might be something to talk about. Don’t be looking for swing when nothings really there.

you won't say it January 10, 2024 (9:41 pm)

You won’t say that the comments explode into a mad cesspool of coded racism when the suspect is black, but white children committing retail crime and white adult racists threatening black people with guns need counseling and/or a spanking. I just said it for you, you can go back to complaining about a $100 million dollar pickle ball dog park commuter train ferry terminal now.
- Rhonda January 11, 2024 (3:16 pm)
  
  you won’t say it, the race of the perpetrator isn’t listed in the story, so why are you assuming it?
  - IReadAllTheNews January 12, 2024 (2:34 pm)
    
    Actually, the race of the perpetrator is listed as white. WSB also did a follow-up report which indicates that.

Sorry, comment time is over.