WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation in Westwood

10:36 PM: Multiple people have texted us about hearing apparent gunfire in the Westwood area. Police have been searching for evidence and finally just found it – shell casings near the 8400 block of 25th SW, not far from Southwest Teen Life Center and the Chief Sealth IHS/Denny IMS campus. No report of any injuries so far. Some 911 callers reported seeing a light-colored vehicle possibly associated with this, according to dispatch and officers.

11:13 PM: In cases like this – gunfire but no injuries reported – officers often investigate the scene and simply notify the Gun Violence Reduction Unit. In this case, though, according to radio communication, GVRU detectives were going to go to the scene, perhaps because it’s within blocks of high-profile gun-violence cases such as the January death of 15-year-old Mobarak Adam at SWTLC. Still no injuries reported from tonight’s gunfire.

11:21 PM: One parked vehicle has bullet damage, an officer just told dispatch. … The location has been updated to 25th/Cloverdale.

Lee March 8, 2024 (10:48 pm)

Yup, heard it, and it was a lot of gunfire. I am right between Westwood and the public library on 35th.

Neighbor March 8, 2024 (10:53 pm)

This happened right outside my window, a block south east of Chief Sealth. The police came and talked to some people, I heard them saying there were two people firing guns at each other and then fled in two vehicles

g March 8, 2024 (10:55 pm)

Thank you for being on this, called 911 took 3 mins to answer. Mentioned gunfire southeast of me the operator asked “about 20 shots” and quickly cut if off unless we had more info (correct move). Grateful for all called this in!

Neighbor March 8, 2024 (11:03 pm)

I also called 911, and as soon as I waited more than 30 seconds for an answer I realized me and everyone else had called in lol. Better safe than sorry though, glad people called.

Witness March 8, 2024 (11:12 pm)

It was right next to the Westwood Park Villa apartments. I was smoking next to the trash can when I heard some guys arguing and screaming. Then I saw a guy running toward our gate with a rifle. He was Black, wearing a black jacket and black hat. He stopped next to the white sedan car, and then I saw two more guys running toward him, one of them also carrying a rifle. I made eye contact with them and quickly turned my head away, pretending I didn’t see them. I don’t remember how I opened the door to get into the building because I was scared, but right after I got in, I heard multiple shots— at least five. I was in shock and tried to open the wrong apartment door…The police arrived, and they are going to review footage from the building’s cameras since it should have been recorded.I’m still in shock. Probably going to quit smoking.

takecare March 9, 2024 (3:06 pm)

I’m so glad you are OK. I’m also glad that your solution is to do something nice for yourself – like quitting smoking! Take good care of yourself.

A local March 8, 2024 (11:26 pm)

This happened right near me. Didnt see the shots because as soon as they started shooting my entire house hid in the back room but we did see the cars. It was like 15 shots. There was a white car with 2 males that sped off and shortly after that 3 other males ran out from where they were hiding and got in a dark color sedan and sped off. Lucky no one was hurt, that was insanity.It was one shot, and no joke 10-15 shots right after. It wasnt like the random one or two shots you hear. Someone unloaded an entire magazine. It went on for 5-10 seconds.

I Hate Guns March 8, 2024 (11:35 pm)

The first shot sounded like a different gun than the burst of 15 that followed it, to me, but I’m not an expert by any means.
Marina March 9, 2024 (6:53 am)

Out of curiosity Local, did the white sedan have a bike rack? I called in gunfire early Friday morning (4am) where someone sped off in a white sedan with a bike rack. Police searched and found something – probably casings – near the Thriftway sign on California.

A local March 8, 2024 (11:32 pm)

Also, when I called to report it, I was on hold with 911 for over 5 minutes before anyone picked up. I am glad no one was bleeding to death in the street or something.

A local March 9, 2024 (6:40 am)

You were on hold because everyone else called it in too.
Neighbor March 9, 2024 (8:18 am)

Yeah, everyone within a block radius called in at the same time (including myself, I only waiting about 2 minutes and she told me they already dispatched officers from an earlier call and not to worry) so by the time you got through the police were already here because it took them less than 5 minutes to get here. I’m glad everyone called in, better safe than sorry.

Delridge resident March 9, 2024 (6:48 am)

I am a European national and moved to Delridge about 2 years ago. Haven’t heard as many shot bursts as in the last two years since I did my country’s mandatory military service back in the day. Can someone help me understand what is going on a little better: (1) Who are these folks shooting around/at each other? Are they also otherwise criminal or are those regular people who just get a little “agitated” when arguing with each other? (2) Are they just shooting into the air or actually aiming at each other? Asking to understand whether these folks do want to kill (and – fortunately – just can’t because of incompetence to aim) or it’s more or a tactic to intimidate each other. (3) Are these shootings a particularity for West Seattle, Seattle overall, WA State? Or are these things basically happening all over the US? Is it characteristic of more low-income areas (are we in a low income area?)? (4) Relatedly, are these shootings a recent issue or has this always been like that? I recently watched a movie from the 90s where someone was killed through a “drive by” shooting so that seems to have been a thing for a while. (5) Most importantly, what are practical tips to reduce one’s family’s exposure to these incidents, aside from just moving away (see question 3)?

Jethro Marx March 9, 2024 (11:11 pm)

Going to have to simplify and generalize a bit, but typically you’ll find:

1) People shooting guns in these incidents are usually affiliated with criminal gangs or wish they were. They carry guns for crimes or for protection from rivals.

2) We often have people firing into the air because they’re out at night and have a gun or two but little sense. Maybe they want to show off, maybe they got a new gun or (often illegal) part and want to test it, or maybe they’re high or drunk. This sounds like two groups shooting at each other, and they are likely trying to kill and also incompetent or have crappy weapons. It’s not great that they can’t aim, as that means the shots could land anywhere in our dense neighborhood. However, just like shooting in the air, simple math means usually no people are hit by errant shots.

3) These events typically follow population density in the United States, but beyond that it’s complicated.

4) I’m not sure about increase/decrease, but it’s always been with us, and we hear about more shootings than your average joes because of dense media coverage.

5). You and your family’s chances of being harmed are astronomically low, and life is too complex to think you can plan to be safe from such things. Theoretically we could take all guns or ammunition away from civilians but in the US that is impossible for many reasons.

Oh, but definitely don’t join a gang. And statistically if you have a gun it is more likely to harm you or a family member than anyone else, but suicide impacts those numbers more than anything else.
- Daniel March 9, 2024 (11:52 pm)
  
  R.e. #4 – the late 80s and early 90s were quite bad in many cities in the US. In many areas, it was significantly worse than the most recent spike. The last few years have been worse than the prior two decades.
Kathy March 10, 2024 (12:01 am)

And the gunshots are usually concentrated in one of several areas in the Delridge area. Last night I called them in immediately after they happened and was reflecting how lucky I was that I get to call them in instead of have them occurring near me. So – most of the area is safe. Plus because of the topography, they can sound very close to you when they aren’t.And they are more likely to happen in areas where families are under more stress and youth don’t have hope for a better future. I remember these being more widespread several decades ago.The pattern varies across the U.S., but it isn’t in most places.

me on 28th Ave SW March 9, 2024 (8:43 am)

We hear this too, but mistakenly thought it was firecrackers. It was a lot of shots. We are on the 8100 block of 28th.

M. Cabrio March 9, 2024 (12:51 pm)

I live between Sealth and Westwood and there appears to be an active gang war. I was told there are newly created crisis resolution teams that meet with these young men and explore alternatives to the violence and focus on the root causes such and generational trauma, poverty, education, making healthy decisions and fostering positive relationships. I’m going to call the non-emergency number Monday morning and ask about creating a healthy place for these young men reach out to before they react to situations with gun violence.

yessir March 9, 2024 (3:05 pm)

Thank you for being part of a healthy solution, M. Cabrio. May the divine being (of your belief system) light your path.