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UPDATE: Shooting at Lincoln Park, under investigation as self-defense

July 21, 2024 10:39 am
|      131 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

10:39 AM: Police and SFD are arriving at Lincoln Park for a “scenes of violence” response. A 27-year-old man is reported to be injured, with a gunshot wound to the hip. Updates to come.

10:53 AM: Our crew has arrived to find out more and reports the police activity is concentrated toward the south end of the main parking lot. They’re focusing on a car parked there.

11 AM: The victim is on the way to Harborview. Police have a person in handcuffs and we’re trying to verify if anyone else is being sought.

11:08 AM: Police tell us at the scene this may be a case of self-defense. Preliminary information indicates that a bystander happened onto a man assaulting a woman, told him to stop, and then was assaulted, and that’s when the bystander, who was armed, fired a shot. The bystander is the person they’re questioning; they’re not looking for anyone else. The assault suspect is the man who was shot – according to a radio transmission, he will be arrested for investigation of domestic-violence assault.

12:50 PM: We just went back to the park; the investigation scene has completely cleared. Meantime, we’re following up on the status of multiple parties to this, including the female assault victim.

1:11 PM: SFD tells us the man who was shot was in critical condition when transported to Harborview. The woman he was reported to have been assaulting is in her mid-30s and reported in stable condition when taken to a hospital by AMR ambulance.

3:01 PM: SPD spokesperson Officer Eric Muñoz says the man who is reported to have shot the assault suspect was still being questioned at last report and “was cooperating with officers.” He also discloses that the man is the son of a Seattle Police lieutenant but says the lieutenant was not involved in the incident.

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131 Replies to "UPDATE: Shooting at Lincoln Park, under investigation as self-defense"

  • Lola July 21, 2024 (10:43 am)

    I was just on California down by Holden and about 7 or 8 police cars went screaming down the hill, I figured something went wrong at the ferry. 

    • WSB July 21, 2024 (10:57 am)

      No, it’s at Lincoln Park, not the ferry dock.

  • Chet July 21, 2024 (10:46 am)

    There was lots of yelling and screaming and then one shot. I knew it wasn’t fireworks. 

  • Kersti Muul July 21, 2024 (10:54 am)

    Was just doing bird survey there. Started to get calls to watch out for a man with a gun.Shooting near North parking lot grassy area 

    • Dad July 21, 2024 (11:51 am)

      Turns out it was the other guy people needed to watch out for.

    • Niko July 21, 2024 (12:30 pm)

      Shooting was self defense. Thank goodness. Doubtful Police would have arrived in enough time to help

    • Alki resident July 21, 2024 (12:48 pm)

      The man with a gun was the hero. We carry to protect not just ourselves but others who are vulnerable and in these exact situations. 

      • Al King July 21, 2024 (1:50 pm)

        Alki Resident. It worked out in this case but fill us in on if the “good guy with a gun” had misread the situation or had missed with his shot and hit an innocent bystander. You still would have called this person a hero? Enlighten us on why we hear WAY more horror stories with gun misuse than we do with guns saving the day.  

        • Mike July 21, 2024 (2:59 pm)

          Because most media doesn’t report on the over 70,000 self defense uses of a firearm per year in the USA?  Over 652,000 Washington State conceal carry permits are up to date and active.I’m glad the guy assaulting the lady was stopped.  Using whataboutism when this individual stopped this assaulter is disgusting.

          • Al King July 21, 2024 (4:05 pm)

            Mike. What do you say to the victims of a legal gun owner’s screw up? Or you have documentation that they never mishandle/miss their target with their guns, or leave out where a child, or burglar could get?

          • Simmz July 21, 2024 (5:09 pm)

            Mike,Well said, sir. I 100% agree.

          • Thats a fact Jack. July 22, 2024 (7:02 pm)

            Based on Mikes info, that means more than 8% of Washington residents have a CCP. Thats 1 in 12 people that are able to legally carry a handgun in public. Let’s say West Seattle is half of the state average, 4% of people have a CCP. West Seattle has a population over 100,000, meaning 4,000 people in West Seattle have a CCP. Even it if it half of that, it’s still 2000 people. Last I checked, none of them had anything to do with the gun violence we are experiencing. Seems to me all of the violence is done by unlicensed people that are carrying stolen firearms.And you wonder why we carry.

        • Del Griffith July 21, 2024 (8:28 pm)

          Is your argument really, what if the situation was totally different than what it was? Weird. If we’re in that world of what ifs, what if the aggressor was attacking a large group of children and the guy with the gun saved the lives of dozens of children?

      • BZ July 21, 2024 (1:54 pm)

        If Lincoln Park is such a big danger that you need to bring a gun you probably should find another place to carry. The person who fired isn’t a hero, they’re just an armed bystander who happened to help the victim of abuse. What a weird way to justify vigilante Justice with deadly weapons. 

        • wscommuter July 21, 2024 (3:11 pm)

          As someone who is inclined to support most gun control efforts, your comment is ridiculous.  This particular gun owner absolutely is a hero – he intervened when a woman was being beaten.  Per the WSB, he saw her being assaulted, told the guy to stop and the guy attacked him.  What part of this isn’t heroic?  Would you have preferred that he used just words?  I fully appreciate that we have a gun problem in our country.  But not in this instance and your adherence to your political view in the face of objective facts is silly.   That, and you might consult a dictionary for the definition of “vigilante”.  

          • BZ July 21, 2024 (5:33 pm)

            I said nothing about politics and you bring that up like you know my stance. You literally described a vigilante: Guy with gun saw something happening and intervened instead of waiting for police which ironically it’s being shared that he had a SPD lieutenant relative. I am a dv victim and I don’t even have an issue with him intervening and as I said I’m glad the victim was able to get help. It’s weird people are instantly calling him a hero to push their political agenda. All the people raving about this should remember this incident the next time someone suspects someone else of a crime and shoots them. God forbid they’re wrong or even right and end up killing someone. But as long as they are a “hero” we should just throw everything else out of the window. 

          • Julian July 22, 2024 (8:37 am)

            BZ: Taking a situation in which a person did an objectively good things and trying to twist it as bad is only a reflection of your cognitive dissonance as a result of your obvious bias against firearms. That there are situations in which a person might do wrong or might make a mistake could be said of literally anything. Even police have done that. It doesn’t change the fact that this was good and yet another example of why people should be able to adequately defend themselves with a firearm. Perhaps in situations where a person makes a misjudgment, you should think of situations like this.

        • Alki resident July 21, 2024 (3:40 pm)

          Are you aware that the suspect not only went after the woman but the guy with the gun as well? There would’ve been no time to get police and the hero could’ve ended up injured or dead . We don’t pick and choose what day we carry to what location out of fear. Just like a woman has a lot of contents in her purse, it’s there if needed and this time it was needed. You clearly haven’t been a victim of DV or even comprehend how this hero was meant to be at the park that day. 

        • Georgia July 21, 2024 (3:45 pm)

          Would you feel this way if the victim was you or your mother, daughter or family member? I bet not! 

          • Sherrie July 21, 2024 (10:11 pm)

            So are you saying that if you happen to get attacked my a strange man and he’s beating the heck out of you that you would want people to just keep walking by and not help you? If this guy would have stood back and took the time to call police, the woman probably would have been dead before police arrived. Let’s hope you never get attacked because there would be no hope for you to survive. That’s just how it is these days. So yes he basically saved the woman’s life so yes he is a hero 

      • Oerthehillz July 21, 2024 (1:57 pm)

        Thank you

      • Jethro Marx July 21, 2024 (9:28 pm)

        “We carry…?”  Weird attempt to clabber on to a situation you had no role in.

        I suppose if there were a cheap Glock clone or some Polymer 80 job involved they may have bought it from you at a gun show though, right?

        • Ex-Westwood Resident July 22, 2024 (11:14 am)

          You do know that ALL “Gun Shows” MUST adhere to ALL local, county, state AND federal gun laws pertaining to the sale of ALL guns, right?

          And Glocks are NOT cheap. The ONLY thing made from Polymer is the “lower.”
          The slide and barrel are still metal.

          • Alki resident July 22, 2024 (2:23 pm)

            Thank you for your truth and knowledge. Wasn’t going to waste my time. 

          • Jethro Marx July 23, 2024 (10:09 pm)

            You do know that ALL “Gun Shows” MUSTadhere to ALL local, county, state ANDfederal gun laws pertaining to the sale of ALL guns, right?And Glocks are NOT cheap. The ONLY thing made from Polymer is the “lower.”The slide and barrel are still metalYeah I know the rules.  I think Glocks are cheaply made, and that’s why they’re successful, design-wise. But you’ll find that I was referring to “clones” made by others but based on the Glock design; cheap and poorly-made pistols of this type have proliferated in recent years; many guns like this are also “built” by small time FFL holders looking to have a side hustle distributing guns to whoever knows which boxes to check on the form and has a few hundred bucks. I say “built” because they typically only require milling a bit of plastic and snapping some parts on, rather than skilled labor. The same sellers will often offer kits of non-regulated parts that allow one to do the work on their own and avoid background checks. This is more or less legal to do, but kind of trashy in the gun world. There have been attempts to prohibit this in our state but they are often disregarded and only enforced in egregious cases. These kit guns are the most common “homemade” gun (often called Ghost Guns because that sounds scary)  and used to be available by mail order. Alki Resident’s gun business is their own, but they have often mentioned it here on the blog.

      • AK July 22, 2024 (10:45 am)

        Agree. He is a hero. This is why we carry! Great job to the shooter.

  • Alki resident July 21, 2024 (11:48 am)

    Thank you thank you to the bystander. I hope the female can get far away from this abuser. Praying for you. 

  • Rhonda July 21, 2024 (12:06 pm)

    I’m glad the man was able to stop the perpetrator from assaulting the female victim.

  • Rob July 21, 2024 (12:23 pm)

    Sounds like a carry permit came to the rescue.

  • Rene July 21, 2024 (1:00 pm)

    Hoping the victim of assault is ok and that we learn more who was harassing her so we can be in the lookout.  Lincoln park is a magical place.  But where we have to also be watchful.  

    • WSB July 21, 2024 (1:10 pm)

      There is no one to “look out” for – the assault suspect is the person who was shot and is both under arrest and in the hospital. Since it was classified as “domestic violence,” he had some sort of relationship with the female assault victim, so it was not a random attack.

  • anonyme July 21, 2024 (1:09 pm)

    If the facts so far are accurate, for once, I’m not sorry someone was shot.

  • John Alfers July 21, 2024 (1:27 pm)

    When are the perpetrators going to learn you can not just assault someone. They may be armed. And you’re taking your life into your hands. Same goes for break-ins.  They say, think before you act. That’s the problem, they don’t. 

  • Seattlite July 21, 2024 (1:53 pm)

    If the man carrying the gun is a trained, legal gun owner with a CCP, I am 100% down with him using it for self-defense.  The assault took place in a public park which, in my thinking, means the assaulter probably assaults her in private and could care less who saw him assaulting the female in a public area.  Law enforcement will investigate; and, hopefully, we will get a clear facts on this public domestic violence incident and on the person with the gun.

    • Alki resident July 21, 2024 (3:47 pm)

      He didn’t need a CCP to shoot that suspect. Learn your rights. 

      • Seattlite July 21, 2024 (5:03 pm)

        What did I get wrong about WA State’s RCW?  

        RCW 9.41.050

        Carrying firearms.

        (1)(a) Except in the person’s place of abode or fixed place of business, a person shall not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person without a license to carry a concealed pistol.

        • Daniel July 21, 2024 (5:49 pm)

          Also technically, having a CPL doesn’t really change the legality of shooting someone, just the carrying of the gun itself.  So you could e.g. illegally carry a gun concealed, but legally shoot someone.  Or you could legally carry a concealed gun, but illegally shoot someone.  All permutations are possible.

          • Nezzy July 21, 2024 (7:27 pm)

            Some people just like to argue.  About anything. Kinda lame. Cheers!

          • Seattlite July 21, 2024 (7:30 pm)

            My point was that gun was registered to the person who used it and that person had a conceal pistol license according to RCW 9.41.050.  Anything outside of that, is against WA State’s laws.  Too many stolen guns are in the hands of people with bad intentions.   

          • Daniel July 21, 2024 (10:33 pm)

            Note that WA does not have the concept of registering firearms.

          • John A. July 21, 2024 (10:55 pm)

            Really? Anything outside of that is illegal? I thought the purpose of the concealed carry permit was for those who want to conceal their gun. But you’re still allowed to carry a holstered gun on your hip without concealing it and without a permit. Aren’t you? Yes, I think so. I see convenience store clerks doing it. 

        • K July 21, 2024 (7:20 pm)

          Washington is on open carry state.  You don’t need a permit unless you’re concealing the weapon.  That RCW is about concealment.

        • Ex-Westwood Resident July 22, 2024 (11:23 am)

          You need one to carry it CONCEALED.

          If you have it in a side holster where it is NOT concealed, no CPL is required.

          Washington is an OPEN carry state.

          And YES, I know MANY who carry it openly.

      • Simmz July 21, 2024 (5:13 pm)

        It’s a CPL (Concealed Pistol License) and if we concealing the firearm at any time, yes he does. Sounds like you could use some education yourself.

        • Jim July 21, 2024 (5:32 pm)

          You can open carry legally without a CPL. And personally I think a CPL is an infringement on constitutional rights

        • Alki resident July 21, 2024 (6:04 pm)

          We’re an FFL. I know my rights and the rules. 

  • Good Guy with a gun July 21, 2024 (2:16 pm)

    #StopDomesticViolenceNow

  • Silvia July 21, 2024 (2:51 pm)

    What a good citizen saved that woman’s life probably. That jerk is lucky it was just the hip. 

  • Terry July 21, 2024 (3:04 pm)

    Isn’t it against the law to carry a gun in a Public Park?

  • Grilled Cheese July 21, 2024 (3:23 pm)

    I love how a gun can be used for good, but more often can be used for the bad.Humans are horrible. The world would be better without them. But we love death and suffering. We are so used the pain that it numbs our minds. Be kind to people. Stop the hate. Help the people around you. You can do better.

  • Sandra July 21, 2024 (3:39 pm)

    What a shame…… nobody wins here. I think shooting someone seems extreme……the shooter could also face civil and criminal penalties…….

    • Latchkey July 21, 2024 (4:24 pm)

      What do you want a bystander to do when it takes 30 minutes to 1 hour+ for the police to show?

      • WS98 July 21, 2024 (10:23 pm)

        @Latchkey – The National Dometic Abuse Hotline offers guidance for what witnesses of public DV should do…“Take into account your own safety as well as the survivor’s. There is safety in numbers, so gathering a group of people to stand nearby and either verbally or physically intervene is one option. Contacting the authorities is another option. You might even record the incident with your phone to pass to law enforcement. https://www.thehotline.org/resources/tips-for-intervening-if-you-witness-domestic-violence/Also, per SPD, call 911. DV is a priority 1 incident with a 6 minute response time. 

    • Jeepney July 21, 2024 (4:27 pm)

      Highly doubtful, even a Seattle jury would find this to be self defense.  

    • Alki resident July 21, 2024 (4:32 pm)

      False: self defense plain and simple. Learn your rights. 

      • Alki Residents Long Lost Father July 21, 2024 (8:00 pm)

        You keep saying learn your rights and have been corrected multiple times in this story.Change the record pops. 

        • Alki resident July 21, 2024 (9:25 pm)

          Corrected by whom? People who can’t handle that another person said CCL? That’s a thing you know, people call it different things but it’s still a concealed license. Also I’ll correct YOU and inform you I am not a pops..You seem angry over something petty. You added nothing important here. Be more angry that a girl was assaulted. 

        • Alki resident July 22, 2024 (4:19 am)

          How have I been corrected? Not everyone calls it a CPL, in other states it’s CCL. We’re  an FFL and likely know  more about this subject than you. Also I’m not a POPS for the record..

    • Jim July 21, 2024 (4:58 pm)

      I would rather someone just call the police and wait for them to show up in 20 minutes with this person potentially dead?! Rob Saka said at the community meeting community needs to step up so that’s exactly what this citizen did

    • Mark Smith July 21, 2024 (6:25 pm)

      I would say the woman who was protected from being violently assaulted wins but that’s just me.

      • tooEasy July 27, 2024 (4:20 am)

        She’s probably tending to his wounds. Domestic violence victim with Stockholm syndrome. No winner here.

  • Vee July 21, 2024 (4:23 pm)

    I think it’s interesting how the public who carry guns and use them somewhat indiscriminately think what they do is ok if they harm someone but the police are scrutinized to the 10th degree, I guarantee if a policeman had shot that man and he’s critical there would be outrage from victims family and probably a lawsuit

    • K July 21, 2024 (5:11 pm)

      This wasn’t indiscriminate and police don’t get guff when they shoot a bad guy while under attack.  There’s outrage when they shoot people as a first course of action, based on their feelings and not any evidence of wrongdoing or legitimate threat.  The police could learn a thing or two from the civilian in this case.

    • Pete July 21, 2024 (6:36 pm)

      Cops shoot to kill. 

      • uncle loco July 21, 2024 (7:19 pm)

        How do you shoot not to kill. Please enlighten us Pete.

        • …. July 21, 2024 (7:41 pm)

          He shot him in the leg, it’s in the story above. The guy with the gun in the park today motive was to disable the assaulter, not kill him 

          • uncle loco July 21, 2024 (9:40 pm)

            I’m not a firearms guy but I’ve read enough to know that cops are taught to aim center mass to lessen the chance of a stray bullet hitting an unintended target (like an innocent bystander). I think the idea is shoot to stop the threat, not shoot to kill. Maybe Pete might know better.

      • Rhonda July 21, 2024 (11:10 pm)

        Pete, police officers are trained to STOP a deadly threat, not to “shoot to kill”.

        • K July 22, 2024 (6:41 am)

          Pete didn’t say they were trained to “shoot to kill”.  The point he seemed to be making is that they do so anyway, despite training telling them all they need to do is stop the threat, and in many cases despite there being no threat at all.

  • Susan Harrison July 21, 2024 (4:28 pm)

    I am a giant rabbit of a person. I take bugs out of the house instead of dispatching them to their next lifetime. I am also a violent crime survivor. I would have no difficulty disabiling the assailant in this situation had I a gun and the ability to use one. I wish someone would have been there for me. I also think there are too many guns! I am conflicted. All my best to the victim and her hero. 

    • WS3 July 21, 2024 (6:35 pm)

      I’m sorry you’re a survivor but glad you’re able to allow yourself ambivalence. We make healthier choices when we allow ambivalence. 

  • Admiral-2009 July 21, 2024 (4:30 pm)

    Sandra – from what I have read this looks to be a clear case of self defense.  I also suspect the person intervening to break up the assault was well acquainted in the use of firearms, being the son of law enforcement officer.  

    • Vee July 21, 2024 (4:41 pm)

      Police are,trained too, but people seem to say did you have to shoot, did you try another tactic, like tazor etc

  • Joe July 21, 2024 (5:03 pm)

    Glad to hear the “good guy” won. I’m curious as to why someone feels the need to carry a gun in Lincoln park on a Saturday afternoon though. Especially a grown man. Carrying a gun is not like carrying a phone or a key chain. They are heavy and cumbersome. Was this really a good guy or someone that had a reason to watch their back?

    • Niko July 21, 2024 (10:10 pm)

      They’re not that heavy lol I’ve hauled around heavier camera gear. The police are understaffed and have long response times city councilman Rob Saka said repeatedly “the community needs to step up” seems this guy did just that. Why do YOU have such a problem with people doing something legal?!

    • Alki resident July 22, 2024 (4:27 am)

      My guns aren’t heavy and you shouldn’t leave your gun in your car when you’re out doing things so for him to carry his weapon on his person at all times was legal and safer. Crime happens as much in day time hours than nite so not sure why you think otherwise. 

    • Adam July 22, 2024 (6:46 pm)

      If you need to know why we feel the need, I’d send you a link to a story, but we’re here already. This is insanity. 

  • Phil July 21, 2024 (5:09 pm)

    Lincoln Park shooting at 10am on a Sunday?What has happened to our fair city

    • Ray July 21, 2024 (5:59 pm)

      Exactly, In the old days people would wake up much earlier!

    • Alki resident July 21, 2024 (6:08 pm)

      What’s the city have to do with an isolated incident? This happens all over our country every minute. 

  • WS98 July 21, 2024 (5:23 pm)

    So it’s now okay when an unarmed person attacks another to shoot them? Nowhere am I reading this guy was armed and attacking the ‘hero’. Even though the attacker is an abuser and should go to jail, he’s now in critical condition and may lose his life. I’m betting there were likely several observers who could have jumped in and wrestled the guy to the ground. This is not the direction we want our WS to head. Applauding acts of vigilantism makes our neighborhoods unsafe to enjoy at any time.

    • Wseattleite July 21, 2024 (5:57 pm)

      Do stupid things and expect stupid results.  So now someone assailing a woman should be subdued as gently as possible?  Come on. No. They need to be stopped and right then.  These situations escalate quickly, bad people need immediate and yes if necessary disabling action.  You may think differently should you be attacked. You want to wait until these is a humane method of stopping them available?  This is not the movies.  

      • Pete July 21, 2024 (6:39 pm)

        Where do you draw the line though? We need rule of law, you can’t just go round shooting people. That’s not how a functioning society should work. 

        • uncle loco July 21, 2024 (7:22 pm)

          Pete- there is  rule of law, it will be figured out with due process.

        • WS98 July 21, 2024 (7:45 pm)

          @Pete – Exactly!@Wseattlite – I am a woman and while I’ve fortunately not experienced partner domestic abuse in my life, I have been the target of misogynistic physical attacks by my homophobic brother and an unhinged man (arrested) who nearly ran me over while I was in a crosswalk. At no time would I ever want someone to shoot either of them, no one deserves that. Bystanders who witnessed stepped in and took action. Again, I’m not reading about anything in this scenario whereby the life of the vigilante was threatened.

        • Daniel July 21, 2024 (7:45 pm)

          The line is already drawn in RCW here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.16&full=true#9A.16.050

    • Rah July 21, 2024 (6:24 pm)

      You have no clue of what you are speaking on . The attacker was high on drugs , warned multiple times to get back and police have been called , still the attacker chose to to charge the man that saved the life of the 4 month pregnant woman who was being punched and choked . You would feel different if it was your loved one .. he was shot in the hip !! Plus , under arrest for felony warrants of assault , etc . Typical response from someone like you to blame the person who did the right thing . And , the HERO , is certified to carry . Let’s hope if it’s someone you love in the same ordeal , that someone will intervene. Just stay on the sidelines and judge and assume like do many other cowards .

      • WS98 July 21, 2024 (8:29 pm)

        @Rah – How rude, I do have a clue but it sounds like you witnessed this event from the sidelines. The details you mention have not been provided so how would anyone reading this know just how dangerous this man was? I’m absolutely NOT standing up for an abusive person on drugs and it’s horrific that he was attacking the woman he was with. I really don’t care if a person is licensed to carry, doesn’t mean you’re entitled to intevene and shoot someone. If the attacker was unarmed, any handful of strong people present could probably have subdued the guy. 

        • Adam July 22, 2024 (7:04 pm)

          This aged well….any thoughts now that the details are out and they confirm this person’s account? 

      • B July 25, 2024 (11:09 am)

        @rah I am curious how you came to get this information as I am very close to the people involved in this and know for a fact that what you’re stating is untrue.

      • B July 25, 2024 (12:03 pm)

        Rah, pretty closely involved in this investigation and wondering where you got this information as I can tell you it’s incorrect. Friends with the girl I assume?

    • Jethro Marx July 21, 2024 (7:14 pm)

      “I’m betting there were likely several observers who could have…”

      When you say this, what are you betting? Someone else’s life? Are you real?

      • WS98 July 21, 2024 (9:05 pm)

        @Jethro Marx – absolutely real. 

  • WSRes July 21, 2024 (5:31 pm)

    When seconds count the police are just minutes away. Glad there was a good guy with a gun. Sounds like the attacker had the means, motive and ability to threaten the life of the victim = clean shoot.

    • Rah July 21, 2024 (6:30 pm)

      Exactly 

  • WalkAbout July 21, 2024 (5:38 pm)

    Was running in the Park shortly after this happened. It constantly amazes me that I can run for miles and sometimes see a couple of runners, maybe a cyclist, and a few dog walkers outside of Lincoln Park.  Luckily this bystander was there, but on so many sunny summer days (including weekends) our sidewalks are empty and (over overgrown with vegetation). If someone needs help, will the dozens and dozens of passing cars notice? My proposal – we can make our neighborhoods safer not by arming ourselves (in this case it turned out well) rather, just go outside. West Seattle, let’s take a walk.  Ride a bike, play pickle ball, go for a run or maybe dance. Safety in numbers.

    • Victoria July 21, 2024 (6:13 pm)

      You’re right, there are too many guns. But in this case, it’s good the bystander was armed and rescued the victim.  I don’t think domestic violence perpetrators are going to take a walk or a run instead of assaulting their victims; they have a screw loose. And victims are often isolated by their abusers. There are no simple solutions.

  • uncle loco July 21, 2024 (6:22 pm)

    My hats off to the guy who intervened with the assault in front of him. Most folks these days would just pull out their phones to record it. It’s too bad that he had too use potentially lethal force to protect himself. I’m 100% positive he didn’t plan out his day to shoot somebody. Let’s face it, there are people among us that have no issue with harming anyone in their way. The police can only do so much and social workers do absolutely nothing in a situation like this.

  • Gaslit July 21, 2024 (10:33 pm)

    Any way you slice it up, it’s illegal to discharge a firearm in Seattle city limits. Whatever this situation is or was, it isn’t in a vacuum and didn’t begin today. Failure of the pack of law enforcement and resources led to this. Unfortunately, the shooter should be arrested and jailed for breaking the law. Zero tolerance for guns. They are manufactured and designed for killing others. Not defending oneself. I will personally be asking for legal remedies on the shooter with local law enforcement. The shooter made the situation as dangerous as the attacker. Those who glorify him as a “hero” need to really reconsider their stance.

    • Danimal July 22, 2024 (5:22 am)

      This is a ridiculous take and you’re going to get exactly nowhere with it. You are allowed to discharge a firearm in self defense. The only gaslighting going on here is you trying to gaslight the readers of your comment, and the police.

      • Gaslit July 22, 2024 (9:44 pm)

        The only “self defense” claim that would work in this situation is if the city council or mayor passed & signed ordinances amending the illegal discharge of firearms law. Those do not exist in Seattle. We are a democracy and nation of laws. This person should be prosecuted to the fullest extent. 

        • Good Guy with a gun July 23, 2024 (12:11 am)

          Gaslit, you have absolutely no clue what you’re talking when it comes to firearms law and use of force situations. Misinformation is dangerous.

        • Felix Grounds July 24, 2024 (4:31 pm)

          I don’t say this often in comment threads on any platform, but in this case it is warranted.You are wrong.

    • Danimal July 22, 2024 (5:37 am)

      In Washington State Law, it is specifically stated that no one shall be placed in legal jeopardy for acting with reasonable force in self defense. Reasonable force can include a deadly weapon if there is the chance of death or grievous bodily harm caused by the person being defended against. In this case, a man on drugs assaulting someone else who was grievously harmed, and then assaulting a bystander, with the ability in an altered state to inflict grievous bodily harm or worse, meets the standard for defending oneself with a deadly weapon. Don’t waste your time and the time of the police or government officials by going forward with your plan. 

  • Steve July 21, 2024 (10:35 pm)

    You can’t just shoot someone unless they have a deadly weapon. Even if they have a deadly weapon, you must take your surroundings into consideration. Knife, bat, crowbar, or gun used on you or someone else = Yes. Hands, bigger/stronger, really scary, total A hole = No.  Your life or another persons life must be in danger. If the person shot had no weapon, then the shooter will be charged.

    • Alki resident July 22, 2024 (4:08 am)

      You’re in for a big treat when you find the actual facts. This guy was being attacked and used self defense. He 100% wont be charged rightfully so. 

    • RX July 22, 2024 (4:55 am)

      Steve, what you’ve said here is completely made up. You are badly mistaken.
      Here is the content of RCW 9A.16.110:

      (1) No person in the state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting by any reasonable means necessary, himself or herself, his or her family, or his or her real or personal property, or for coming to the aid of another who is in imminent danger of or the victim of assault, robbery, kidnapping, arson, burglary, rape, murder, or any other violent crime as defined in RCW 9.94A.030.

    • Danimal July 22, 2024 (5:28 am)

      Hands and feet can easily be deadly weapons when used by another human to inflict grievous harm. Your argument doesn’t track.

    • nothend July 22, 2024 (7:00 am)

        Trayvon Martin would disagree with this,,, if he could. 

      • Adam July 22, 2024 (7:07 pm)

        Uhhhhhhh……what?!

    • Mike July 22, 2024 (9:05 am)

      “If the person shot had no weapon, then the shooter will be charged.” WOW, you really don’t understand the laws at all.  It’s referred to as justified use of force.  https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.16.020

  • RX July 21, 2024 (11:48 pm)

    Bravo. This is such an important and encouraging example. It is legal to carry a firearm, and in a narrow set of cases that every citizen has a duty to understand, it is both legal and moral to use lethal force to protect ourselves and others from harm. So many of the crime stories that we see on WSB are perpetrated by sadistic and anti-social opportunists who are only so brazen because they’re confident they’ll get a victim too scared, naive, or defenseless to deter their attack, and that the justice system will be too overcrowded to actually deliver justice. As this comment section illustrates, their odds are good. I pray that in my time of need, I get someone like this lieutenant’s son, and not some moralizing optimist whose only weapon is a stern talking to and the hope that someone else can save the day.

    • Alki resident July 22, 2024 (4:04 am)

      Amen, well said thank you. I hope it never happens to you or your family. 

    • Star July 22, 2024 (9:47 am)

      Absolutely agree with you. We live in an age where crimes are video taped and uploaded for likes. Courage and conviction are hard to find. It ro courage and empathy to defend a helpless individual while putting your own safety on the line. 

  • C Winkler July 22, 2024 (5:04 am)

    A couple weeks ago there was a domestic violence incident just around the corner near Endolyne Joe’s. Now this. Disturbing. Hope both the victim and perpetrator get the help they need.

  • heyalki July 22, 2024 (7:24 am)

    I can’t believe how many people are defending a guy who beats women. 

    • Jeff July 22, 2024 (11:28 am)

      It’s not on someone with a gun to make the judgement in a split second on that without knowing full story……….

      • Alki resident July 22, 2024 (7:21 pm)

        You don’t need a full story when a lady is running up to you begging for help and then you too get attacked by the suspect. It’s pretty cut and dry that you now are having to protect yourself and that’s exactly what he did. 

  • Must Clutch Pearls July 22, 2024 (9:17 am)

    The mental gymnastics to find a way to demonized the person who stopped the assault because they had a gun reminds us that the spirit of learned helplessness still thrives. If they’d used bear spray we’d be scheduling a parade. 

  • WSB July 22, 2024 (11:58 am)

    For anyone wondering about updates – I’ve checked back with SPD and they expect to get us some answers to key questions this afternoon. We’ll likely write that followup separately – TR

    • Deligreg July 24, 2024 (2:41 pm)

      Has there been an update?  I would love to read it as I was at the park that day just as emergency crews started arriving.Thank you

  • WSCCL July 22, 2024 (6:42 pm)

    As someone who does concealed carry a weapon, I want all of you anti-gun people to know that there are a lot of us out there, every day, and we safely carry our weapons to defend our families and ourselves from people that wish to do us harm. We hope we NEVER have to use them, but if we do, we are prepared. Not from verbal assaults, or mean tweets, or inappropriate comments, but from actual bodily harm with deadly intent.You would probably be amazed (or disgusted) at the number pf people that are carrying in West Seattle at any given time. I carry in Lincoln Park, I carry on Alki, and I carry in other places that have been known to have issues with guns. Not because I want to discharge my weapon, but because I want to enjoy those areas and still be able to protect my wife and myself. I am not a young man, and going toe to toe with a violent younger person or someone high on drugs is probably not going to end well for me, and I am not going to watch helplessly as my wife gets assaulted when I am incapacitated. Will it ever happen? I really hope not. And I hope it never happens to anyone else. But the facts are the facts, it does sometimes happen, even here in West Seattle. And with the level of police available and the wait time for 911 calls, I am not willing to take that chance. All your hand wringing will do nothing to deter me. It is my right, and I, along with hundreds of others, will continue to concealed carry weapons all over West Seattle. And you will never know who we are, and we hope you never need us. But we are out there.

    • Gaslit July 23, 2024 (10:34 pm)

      So, you’re endangering yourself and all of the rest of us. Your self righteous sanctimony doesn’t make anyone more safe from you and your irresponsible choices. You carry a weapon that is only manufactured to kill other living beings, it is not a defensive tool. Nobody has asked you to protect anyone. 

      • WSCCL July 31, 2024 (7:32 pm)

        it is not a defensive tool. Nobody has asked you to protect anyone. You are wrong on both counts. A handgun is in fact a defensive tool, as is a shotgun.  Many people have used guns to defend themselves. And I can tell you with 100% certainty that my wife has asked me to protect her.  But based on some of the comments on here, I may be less likely to help others if the need arises.

  • Dog Whisperer July 23, 2024 (8:35 am)

    We’re all celebrating that a vulnerable woman was protected by a good man who was at the right place at the right time with the right tool.

  • B July 25, 2024 (11:05 am)

    Hello. I see quite a few comments here and was wondering if there is anyone who witnessed the event occurring? There is much more to this story and I am trying to collect more information if anyone has any. Thank you. 

  • B July 25, 2024 (11:58 am)

    Hello. I was reaching out to see if anyone happened to witness this? The story is not as it seems! I am closely involved in the investigation and looking for anyone who may have any information. Thank you. 

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