WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Man who died after June assault in West Seattle now classified as homicide victim

Every weekday, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office releases a list of names and causes of death from recent investigations. On Tuesday afternoon, that list included a new ruling that a death in June is now considered a case of homicide, by “blunt-force head injury” suffered in the 4500 block of California SW [map]. That case wasn’t on our radar previously, so we immediately inquired with Seattle Police, and received this response today:

On June 13th at 2:01 a.m., patrol officers responded to a physical assault that occurred near the 4500 block of California Avenue Southwest. Officers arrived along with the Seattle Fire Department. The victim was conscious and bleeding and being treated by SFD and later transported to Harborview Medical Center. Officers were unable to question him about the incident due to his injured state. The suspect fled the area and was not located. No arrests have been made at this time. On June 16th, the victim, 53, was pronounced deceased. This is an open and active Homicide investigation.

The KCMEO identified the victim as William G. Tappe. We also went back into audio archives to see how the incident was initially dispatched on June 13; Seattle Fire sent a low-level, one-engine “aid response” described as “male assaulted, minor injuries”; the SPD dispatch was described as for a victim who was “punched and kicked” by someone who then “got on a bus and left.” No description was provided. If you have any information about this incident, the case number is 24-160382.

7 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Man who died after June assault in West Seattle now classified as homicide victim"

  • Lura July 31, 2024 (4:00 pm)

    The Homeless Remembrance Project included Mr. Tappe in a vigil at City Hall on July 17. I came across this picture on their Facebook page.

    • WSB July 31, 2024 (4:07 pm)

      Yes, that photo on the social media page for an advocacy group came up while I was searching for information last night on Mr. Tappe, waiting to hear back from police about whether this was an open case, etc. That vigil was before his death was classified this week as a homicide. – TR

  • Ronald July 31, 2024 (8:55 pm)

    Why do you have to defend yourself WSB??? You are just reporting the news/ the facts…Keep up the good work 😍😍😍

    • WSB July 31, 2024 (9:24 pm)

      I was just acknowledging awareness of what the commenter posted. But I also regret not being aware of this case sooner; listening back to the audio, as I wrote, there was absolutely no indication in the radio exchanges at the time that it would turn deadly – not a major medical response, for example – that’s why I read documents daily like the ME decedents’ list, sometimes something comes to light that hadn’t been public knowledge before … like this.

  • Sillygoose August 1, 2024 (8:03 am)

    Oh this poor man. Cameras any where? This is why I’m a “Yes” on installing cameras every where we would know who assaulted this man. 

  • WSB August 1, 2024 (9:16 am)

    Update: SPD now says that what they told us yesterday was wrong, there HAS been an arrest in the case. So I’m trying to find out more about that.

  • Patricia Sponseller August 1, 2024 (11:44 am)

    Lately, there have been a group of addicts hanging out at the front entrance to the Hamas building and in front of Rose’s Nails. I go to an early a.m. gym call in the junction. 2 weeks ago I extinguished a small fire in front of the Hamas building entrance that was started by these folks. 

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