WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: North Admiral investigation; shots fired ‘in defense’ (updated early Sunday)

11:54 PM: We only have a fraction of the story on this so far, but several people have asked, so we’re reporting what we’ve heard at this point: Police were called to North Admiral shortly after 11 pm for what the dispatcher initially said sounded like an attempted carjacking. Two areas about two blocks apart have been mentioned – the 1900 block of 44th SW and the 4300 block of SW Holgate. One juvenile suspect was being detained at the scene; someone else was reported to have gotten away in a black Honda, last seen headed west on Holgate. Somewhere in all this, there was gunfire. No one was treated at the scene, but police asked dispatchers to alert local hospitals in case anyone showed up with a gunshot wound. The juvenile suspect is in custody. That’s all we know so far.

2:06 AM: Going into the audio archives from early in this incident – the shots were reported fired by someone “in defense of” the victims, fired as the vehicle left the scene “with seven or eight suspects” inside. That person was still at the scene talking with police (after setting down his gun at their request).

ADDED 1:14 AM SUNDAY: Just received the police summary:

The incident occurred at (11:05 pm Friday) in the 4300 BLK of SW Holgate St. The owner of a vehicle came outside her house and saw four to five suspects inside her vehicle. The suspects were attempting to steal the vehicle. She notified her uncle and friend about the incident. The suspects exited the vehicle, but one of them left his cell phone inside the victim’s vehicle. The uncle grabbed the cell phone from inside the car and threw it on the ground. One of the suspects charged the uncle and he was afraid of being assaulted. The friend of the family fired a warning shot and two more shots at the suspects’ vehicle. The suspects fled the scene. The suspects left one juvenile behind who was arrested and booked at [the juvenile detention center] for attempted/auto theft. The firearm was recovered and submitted to evidence. … The male who shot at the suspects was investigated & released at the scene.

32 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: North Admiral investigation; shots fired 'in defense' (updated early Sunday)"

  • Jan August 31, 2024 (12:06 am)

    I heard 2 gunshots and then was not surprised to see the many police cars pass by my place. 

  • Good Guy with a gun August 31, 2024 (3:50 am)

    It’s nice to hear that the shots were fired by the good guy and not the bad guy(s).

    • Bbron August 31, 2024 (11:17 am)

      “fired as the vehicle left the scene” nah, sounds like a vigilante that doesn’t know you can’t claim self defense on a retreating person. hopefully they’re charged for recklessly shooting at a fleeing target and at least have to go through some sort of training. thankfully no bystanders were hurt.

    • Brian August 31, 2024 (8:30 pm)

      Anyone hauling off and shooting at a car driving away is not a good guy with a gun. He’s a moron. 

      • K September 1, 2024 (4:43 am)

        Agreed.  Same with the “warning shot”.  There is no legal justification for “warning shots”.  If firing your gun in the air to celebrate a Mariners win is against the law, so is firing a gun in the air to prove… something, not sure what… to strangers.  What an idiot.  Hopefully he’ll take a class on gun safety, for the sake of the community.

      • Mel September 1, 2024 (6:29 am)

        If you read the narrative it sounds like the uncle was charged at, then shot at the vehicle (instead of a person) before they fled in the vehicle. Sorry but people have the right to defend themselves and I’m glad to see more of it. I’m so tired of these criminals thinking there are no consequences. Unfortunately if the justice system won’t keep people safe by keeping criminals off the street, you’ll see more of this behavior.

        • Neighbor 2 September 1, 2024 (9:58 am)

          “As they fled the scene” is key here. Shooting in the general direction of fleeing car prowlers is reckless at minimum.

  • Jeepney August 31, 2024 (6:47 am)

    Too soon to come to conclusions but it appears a crime was prevented last night.

  • Daniel August 31, 2024 (8:36 am)

    “fired as the vehicle left the scene”……. that could be a tough sell to a jury, given literal readings of RCW justifiable homicide statute (https://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?Cite=9A.16.050).  If you’re gonna carry a gun, you should probably take a course on the relevant law (not expensive, <$100, and some local ranges offer it free if you’re a domestic violence victim).

    • Midi September 1, 2024 (9:20 am)

      When I took a shooting course, they were intentional about the importance of understanding these kinds of gun laws before they would even let us shoot (and how those vary from state to state). I’m not a gun owner, but they were so adamant about it I remember thinking that if I did ever own a gun I’d get really clear on these rules first.Then again, it’s hard to predict how one will respond in the moment. Had to be really scary

  • Nadmiral August 31, 2024 (10:22 am)

    Thank you WSB for conveying what you know so far.  It would be greatly appreciated if you could get more information on this.  Also, any neighbors that can add information to this: please do so. Thank you.

  • On Edge August 31, 2024 (4:43 pm)

    There goes the neighborhood.

  • WSB September 1, 2024 (1:21 am)

    Just received and added SPD’s summary.

    • Mike September 1, 2024 (6:53 am)

      The original storyline and the updated storyline seem to conflict the order of events.  Thank you for reporting and updating, but I hope that also helps people understand that just reading or hearing one thing doesn’t mean it’s exactly how events unfolded.  We live in a society of armchair justices and some people go take action (protest, riot, revenge) on very little and often inaccurate details.

      • Bbron September 1, 2024 (10:53 pm)

        you’re doing the same thing relying on one part of the story and ignoring any other part, lmao. as much as an armchair analyst as the rest in here

  • Adam September 1, 2024 (4:31 am)

    I wish there was a list of you who read this story and decide the comment to be made is something negative towards the friend who rightfully used their protective device. That way, when we come across you guys in need during a robbery or other type of situation, instead of saving you, we can stop and give the criminal a hug and offer housing. 

    • CarDriver September 1, 2024 (1:40 pm)

      Adam. I’ve no doubt you’re happy to wave around and fire your gun at the “bad guy’s” but I have serious doubts you’re only going to hit the “bad guy’s” Will you take responsibility??

    • Bbron September 1, 2024 (4:51 pm)

      what a weird thing to fantasize about. you can say gun, btw; euphemize all you want but people could’ve been killed over property and people are reveling over that…

  • CarDriver September 1, 2024 (5:52 am)

    “Fired a warning shot” What was it aimed at? Where did the bullets fired at the vehicle go?  Here’s hoping an innocent and uninvolved neighbor wasn’t affected by randomly fired shots. The shooter obviously missed the bad guys.

  • Westsidegirl September 1, 2024 (9:37 am)

    Thanks for the update WSB. It would seem likely that car owner or homeowner firing a gun would keep them away in the future.  Glad they got at least one of the snits  !

  • What's Happening September 1, 2024 (11:26 am)

    Ugh what is going on over here! Just last Wed night around 1030 coming home from work and I caught someone peering into a bottom level unit in my apt building! When I asked the prowler what he was doing, he claimed to be looking for someone. Unfortunately this individual used the darkness to hide so I have no description at all. I believe he took off on the side of the building and down the ally between Holgate and Massachusetts 

  • AK September 1, 2024 (11:32 am)

    Glad everyone is okay. I’m happy they were able to defend themselves with their 2nd amendment right! . Good warning shots to prevent a crime!  

    • c September 1, 2024 (4:33 pm)

      Bad warning shots create a new crime

    • Dog Whisperer September 2, 2024 (2:37 pm)

      Knowledgeable gun owners know better than to discharge a firearm errantly. There are no warning shots. Too many bad things can happen. 

  • Bbron September 1, 2024 (5:01 pm)

    updated narrative reeks of CYA after the fact, lol. of course police will support that interpretation of events as gun owners will step up to bat for other gun owners. I’m more inclined to believe the first audio as it’s before the person who shot had time to think through what they were doing: shooting at someone fleeing. why would suspects have already left the car they were trying to take prior to a “warning shot”, allowing the uncle to get their cellphone from the car? sounds like they were already leaving. “charged” but no physical contact? very much creating a “I feared for my life” blanket cover. when was the gun brandished? love to see others call others “armchair analysts” when they’re working off info from one side of the story from a party inclined to paint themselves in the best light or be charged for recklessly endangering their neighbors.

    • WSB September 1, 2024 (5:36 pm)

      We haven’t heard directly from anyone who witnessed, or was involved in, the incident. Police were canvassing for home security video. The next opportunity for possible related information will be charging documents if the arrested juvenile is charged. That will likely be based on the full police report; what we received early today was the early-stage summary – formally “significant incident report” – that is filed in certain types of cases, including those involving gunfire. The media-relations officer I heard back from said they might write up this incident for SPD Blotter, though I haven’t seen anything there yet – TR

  • Mike September 1, 2024 (5:35 pm)

    The police report does NOT say the defender fired at the fleeing vehicle, rather that they fired a warning shot, then fired at the vehicle (out of which one of the carjackers had just threateningly charged), then the suspect’s vehicle fled.  Zero report of neighbors or bystanders being injured or placed at risk by the defender. Tellingly the defender wasn’t arrested by officers on the scene, who were privy to eyewitness accounts and drafted the report. Seems like some commenters here are making up facts to create a narrative?  

    • Bbron September 1, 2024 (10:51 pm)

      you’re inflating the word “fact”, Mike. police narratives from 1 side are not immediately facts. if that was the case, why’d we even need courts? police aren’t unbiased, and people talking to police in this case would be incentivized to paint a particular narrative. you’re doing the same thing you’re criticizing others for

      • James September 3, 2024 (8:46 pm)

        BBron what is your narrative or bias? Silence now that you have been proven wrong hah. 

  • Admiral-2009 September 1, 2024 (6:51 pm)

    Bbron the perp was with at least 3 others, if I was charged I would have feared for my life.  You can’t wait to be contacted in this situation without significant risk to yourself.

  • jedidiahperkins September 3, 2024 (8:16 am)

    Firing “warning shots” in a city? I think people forget that “good guy” bullets have to land somewhere too.

  • Peace maker September 4, 2024 (5:42 am)

    Dear parents of teens and young adults what are your baby’s doing rolling around 8 deep in a Honda trying to steal other cars . And the same age group carrying guns and such. Don’t these kids have any guidance or future to look out for this is a prime example of why parents need to check their kids especially if they are doing dangerous illegal things that put themselves and others in harm’s way and also ending up as a statistic of the penal system..

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published.