WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Alki gunfire investigation – ‘two groups … shooting at each other’

12:08 AM: Police are on Alki investigating multiple reports from people calling 911 to say they heard gunfire just before midnight. One caller reported casings at 54th/Alki, and police are confirming “quite a few,” with a scene stretching “at least two or three blocks.” There’s also a report of bullet damage in a residence in the 2300 block of Alki. Some callers reported vehicles involved, but the descriptions diverge. So far no reports of injuries.

12:17 AM: Officers told dispatch they’re closing Alki Avenue at the scene while they mark and then gather casings. Dispatch has also just told them a second residence has apparent bullet damage, in the 2300 block of Hobart. … Meantime, police are detaining a possibly involved vehicle on Harbor Avenue.

12:37 AM: Officers are also reporting at least two parked vehicles with bullet damage.

1:12 AM: They’re now “breaking down the scene.” They’ve had word out to area hospitals but no one’s shown up with gunshot wounds. As for the detained vehicle, we haven’t heard how that turned out, but we’ll be following up. If you have any video or other evidence that might help police, here’s the incident number to refer to when you call 911: 24-253760.

ADDED SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Here’s the summary SPD provided on request:

On Friday at 11:53 p.m., 911 Dispatch (CARE) received multiple reports of gunfire and two groups of suspects shooting at each other at 54th Place Southwest and Alki Avenue Southwest. Witness stated two groups were involved in an altercation and started shooting at each other. One group of suspects left on foot, and they got inside a white SUV and fled the scene. A Black SUV was stopped, and the occupants were briefly detained but no PC [probable cause] was established, and they were released. Two apartments and two vehicles were damaged during the gunfire. A large number of shell casing was recovered from the scene. The local hospitals checked clear for recent gunshot victims. No suspects were identified.

The “black SUV” is the vehicle to which we referred in the 12:17 am note above, found in the 1900 block of Harbor.

Fyergunsdpsht September 7, 2024 (12:24 am)

I heard it from 57th, texted my wife immediately. Sounded like a bump stock or rapid fire of some kind. Soooo many shots. That sound, screeching tires, then sirens 5 minutes later. How can this possibly feel normal? How do I explain this to my children?

Switch September 7, 2024 (8:29 am)

If it was automatic fire, the most likely case is a Glock switch or equivalent, which converts it to automatic fire. Federally and state illegal since the 1980s. Also from a practical perspective, very pointless. There’s a reason the Glock 18 is used by exactly zero places now.
stupidinseattle September 9, 2024 (5:59 pm)

May I suggest that you tell your children that you and your neighbors are expressing your outrage at the lawlessness in your neighborhood to the city and county elected officials who are supposed to enforce our existing laws on crimes and assaults committed with illegally obtained guns? That you will complain to Mayor Harrell and County Exec Constantine about shoot-outs in West Seattle every week until they respond and provide a safe community for the citizens?

Rico September 7, 2024 (12:26 am)

About 20 shots fired.. 3 neighbors confirmed black escalade with long red lights. Lady said the shooters were on foot as well and tried to hide by their apartment at 53rd. People were running everywhere. Police have blocked Alki. Maybe time a bit more police presence on Friday/Saturday at a minimum..

No more night walks September 7, 2024 (12:39 am)

My husband and I were out taking a late night stroll, so glad we made it home before all the shots began. Lived in the area for about 3 years now and it sadly seems like this will be an ongoing issue.

Seattlite September 7, 2024 (8:16 am)

No More Night Walks…Why does it need to be an “ongoing issue”? Are you okay with being controlled by the criminal element and not be able to go for wonderful night walks?
- mygoodness September 7, 2024 (1:53 pm)
  
  I find your comment very condescending, Seattlite. Everyone is entitled to make their own choices and do the things that make them feel safe. I lived on Alki Ave for 10 years but eventually moved due to increasing noise and craziness. I’m very happy where I am now.
  - Seattlite September 7, 2024 (3:44 pm)
    
    If asking honest questions about the increased crime in WS and how it is impacting citizens’ ways of life is “condescending,” then should there be no discussion at all about it? Should I or others just remain silent and not be allowed to comment?
    - AlkiRes September 7, 2024 (6:45 pm)
      
      They said that they “sadly” would not go out for night walks anymore. You asked if they were ok with limiting themselves. Your comment sounds condescending because they already answered your question in their comment. If you were to ask questions that were relevant to the topic so that you might better understand something or someone that would be great. Furthermore, your comment seemed to serve to dismiss the commenter for their feelings and making informed decisions about their own safety. That’s lame.
  - CarDriver September 7, 2024 (4:31 pm)
    
    Condescending? HUH?? Most telling is the fact that you moved.

WS Res September 7, 2024 (12:45 am)

Just closing up. 2318 Building off Alki with gun fire through apartment window(s). Everything closed off with at least 20+ yellow markings flagging gun fire casings, etc.

DB September 7, 2024 (12:53 am)

Multiple vehicles drove away from the scene after a number of gunshots occurred (15 to 25). A Black Escalade was one of the vehicles that drove away. The Escalade drove back and forth on Alki (without lights on) turning down 54th, 53rd and Bonair, only to return back to Alki due to the roads being challenging to navigate. They finally departed Alki heading towards Harbor Ave in the direction of Salties. I’ve spoken to 911, they are aware of these details If you happen to have any video from your security cameras showing a Black Escalade driving on these roads around the time of the incident and turning around, please contact SPD.

Nate September 7, 2024 (12:53 am)

We saw the whole thing. Multiple people shooting at each other, full on gun fight. My friend and I had to hide behind a log on the beach! So high on adrenaline right now. Gave statements to the police. It was a lot of gunfire. Easily 40-50+ gunshots. I never come down here on weekends because of this crap, now I’m literally hiding from gunfire. So f’ed up

Seattlite September 7, 2024 (8:14 am)

Nate…Is it time for policy changes and an increase in SPD’s police officers?
- Ferns September 8, 2024 (12:56 pm)
  
  And time for recorded video surveillance of the public street and sidewalks on alki. That would have to deter some of this crime.
Andi September 7, 2024 (2:12 pm)

I’m so sorry you had to experience this, Nate. ♥️ Thank you for sharing.

@seattlite your attempt to pull Nate into a political discussion instead of simply showing some kindness is unhelpful and rude.
- Seattlite September 7, 2024 (3:39 pm)
  
  Andi…Thank you for letting me know that I am not allowed to ask Nate an honest question that is relevant to what he experienced.
  - Andi September 7, 2024 (7:44 pm)
    
    I didn’t tell you what to do, but I have read your numerous posts and you appear to be a troll looking for validation, not someone asking innocent questions. You clearly have concerns that need to be brought up to someone someone in authority not to people who have suffered a tragic situation You’re welcome.
  - Visitor September 7, 2024 (8:54 pm)
    
    I think I may be able to give a bit of clarity here, if I may. I’ll assume I may since only I get to pick🙂your comments, @Seattlite, while an understandable knee-jerk response that shares the same root of fear and dismay as the other posters’(and thus, just as deserving of temperance and compassion, ahem), in the context of a still-fresh traumatic experience that those involved have only just begun to process comes across as politically charged, and inherently: confrontational. You, of course, have as much freedom and agency to speak your mind on a public platform as anyone else, however in this scenario it does come across as insensitive and tactless. There are very few instances in which that sort of social environment leads to any sort of productive discourse, so it begs the question of motivation, and the possible options if not that aren’t very flattering otherwise. Perhaps there is a better, more potentially effective place and time for such discussions. However, if the intention was to provoke people in an elevated emotional state, you have chosen a perfect time and place and should carry on exactly as you are. Hope this helps!
  - Neighbor September 8, 2024 (11:06 am)
    
    Stow the victim card. You clearly have an agenda and you’re asking inflammatory questions.

aRF September 7, 2024 (6:31 am)

I heard it from a few blocks away at 11:52 pm. It did sound like automatic fire, like an auto sear, but maybe it was just a number of guns at the same time. It was 11:59 before the first siren.

Kevin September 7, 2024 (6:40 am)

I have the license number of the black Escalade. Police weren’t interested unless I witnessed anything. I told them I heard the shots, but wasn’t sure the origin.

Seattlite September 7, 2024 (6:55 am)

Why is West Seattle and Greater Seattle devolving into unacceptable increased criminal activity? Who is in charge of protecting West Seattle’s and Greater Seattle’s citizens? Why have West Seattle’s and Greater Seattle’s voters unintentionally or intentionally voted for a revolving-door criminal justice system? Who, what caused SPD to decrease its police officer staffing to such an extent that citizens are not safe? These are all questions for Seattle’s mayor and city council should they ever hold a city-wide townhall meeting.

Bill#1 September 8, 2024 (12:43 am)

Actually they are questions for Seattle voters!
Sam September 9, 2024 (4:39 pm)

I hear your frustration, but SPD decreasing offers makes me feel MORE safe.

Marcus September 7, 2024 (7:09 am)

Time to get overhead surveillance and street cameras. We have allowed this for far too long under the guise of personal freedom and fear of police overreach. All we are doing is allowing these criminals to get bolder and bolder. They are shooting at homes and cars indiscriminately. People are running for cover. Why are we still allowing this to continue??

Mr Henry September 7, 2024 (11:10 am)

Marcus, you are absolutely correct. This has gone on long enough. Seems like the “Bad Guys” get all the breaks and we law biding citizens are the ones that pay the price.

ImOkayWithCameras September 7, 2024 (8:11 am)

Install an army of traffic cameras and speed bumps in the trouble areas of Alki already. Make it awful for anyone to drive over 10-15 mph in those spots, whether racing or trying to flee after committing other crimes. https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/auburns-license-plate-reading-cameras/281-5021cbbe-9d22-4076-b161-587aeb3e87e2

Marcus September 7, 2024 (11:24 am)

We need this type of technology. Thx
Shay C September 10, 2024 (8:32 pm)

This is a good suggestion. I’m 100% behind this. Where do I sign?
Marsha Lovely September 21, 2024 (8:51 am)

Just a quick note. Long ago there was an attempt to install cameras along Alki and it was shot down by the community, as far as I recall. Are the cameras that were put up gone now?I lived on Alki over 30 years. Recently moved, but there was always summer violence there. The day that Highschool gets out for summer was always one of the worst.

WestSeattleConcernedRes September 7, 2024 (10:07 am)

I’m not sure what the draw is for criminals to go to Alki or the surrounding areas to commit their violent crimes in the first place? Usually it’s gun violence and not random. We may need a preventative approach to this issue to make the Alki area a non welcoming area for criminals to come. Is there now a new postpandemic uptick in gangs & therefore gang rivalry’s & crime associated with this? I know gang crime was big in the 1990’s but then it gradually disappeared on a wide scale. It sure seems post pandemic here in Seattle and other metropolitan areas in our country that gangs & the criminal behavior associated with them is making a come back. I know SPD needs more funding and especially more staffing which will take time but once they have it I hope they establish a gang task force to get ahead of this problem and make our streets and neighborhoods safe again. The pandemic brought about a lot of negative things and seems may have left a hole for juveniles & young adults to fill by joining a gang when they felt most lost or abandoned by society as well as the financial strains brought about by the pandemic. I don’t see any real quick solution in this criminal behavior especially with police departments that are severely understaffed & a failed proactive approach to prevent this behavior years ago in the first place.

mygoodness September 7, 2024 (2:07 pm)

I lived on Alki Ave for 10 years and watched the change. It happened before the pandemic. It’s a combination of things, IMO, including climate change. We used to have just 10 weekends or so a year that it was nice enough to draw the young and wild folks to the neighborhood to party and cruise. It’s a perfect cruising strip. You get young folks driving in from miles around to have a good time and show their stuff (I know, I used to it it myself 35 years ago). Now, because climate change has brought us more ‘nice days’ – 10 weekends of mayhem has turned into 6 months of constant ‘let’s go to Alki to party’. A portion of that crowd is always going to push it too far (and it’s NOT a race or poverty thing – it’s a portion of every crowd that edges into violence in a party scene). So, it’s happening more often. Add that to increased financial disparity, more guns, less police presence… I rarely go to Alki Ave after the sun goes down. My take.
- Alki resident September 7, 2024 (5:25 pm)
  
  Climate Change hasn’t brought in more nice weather. It’s the same type of weather we always get in September. Even through October.
  - mygoodness September 7, 2024 (6:04 pm)
    
    Alki Resident, you’ve shared in past posts that you are a Trump voter and that you haven’t lived in Alki for many years. Thank you for also sharing that you don’t believe that summers are longer and hotter in Seattle than they used to be, and that climate change hasn’t caused that. It’s an interesting perspective.
  - Bill#1 September 8, 2024 (12:50 am)
    
    The most common quote from any Seattle weather report almost every single day last Jan thru about June 24th was “today’s (and/or tomorrow’s) temps are or will be 10-15 degrees BELOW normal!
- Visitor September 7, 2024 (9:19 pm)
  
  Hello! I have lived, worked, and now own a business on Alki for the past 10 years, and I feel privileged to call this community my own. It is from this perspective that I comment. The recent uptick in violent crime happened concurrently with the pandemic. There were wild summers before, as is to be expected, but the closing, then continued abbreviated hours of other places for people to socialize seemed to create a need for other places for people to do so. So there was a decided increase in the volume of people who were visiting to party. Make of that what you will, any conclusion drawing from here would just be further conjecture on my end, which I will spare you. On the policing: I think additional monitoring is not an unreasonable idea, with the caveat that its sole purpose be in the interest of fact gathering in investigations. Which should act as a deterrent in and of itself if proper attention were brought to it. That being said, the police, while I’m sure well intended, have been instituting the same ineffective methods for order maintenance for as long as I have been here. Everyone knows that they do their initial sweep, then it’s free game. Perhaps rather than debating what sort of future policy changes might potentially make things better, it would be more effective now if we were to reimagine what we could do within the boundaries currently set, using the resources currently available…?Not to dismiss anyone’s validity or not regarding the import (or not) of politics for positive social impact, but it seems as if that is largely a matter of differing perspectives, as both sides have historically had.. let’s say varying amounts of successes and failures when it comes to crime and the prevention thereof. My point is that maybe instead of focusing on unproven potential, our energy might be better spent focusing on more practical, more accessable changes in approach.
  - mygoodness September 8, 2024 (12:19 am)
    
    Well said, I agree that we should seek practical short term solutions as well as support longer term initiatives. I’m sorry to hear the situation has worsened in your time on Alki. I do think it’s misinformation, however, to say that the pandemic was the onset of the uptick in violent crime which was present well before you arrival 10 years ago. For example: https://westseattleblog.com/2009/05/police-investigation-on-alki-shooting-reported/
    
    The day I moved from Alki, before the pandemic, I was searching for possible bullet holes in my car that was parked on Alki Avenue (from shooting unrelated to the one above).
    
    I do not doubt that changes in SPD presence post-2020, the pandemic, inflation, the drug epidemic, and all the things have exacerbated the situation. But, violent crime on Alki was alive and well before all that.
  - BulletsonMyBlock September 8, 2024 (10:41 pm)
    
    My child and I were sleeping in the front rooms on 2300 block where the buildings and windows are bullet pocked. Too too close. I feel ill.I’ve been thinking for a long time that the only way to deter criminals is blockwatch. But who will step up? It would take a huge commitment to take our neighborhood back by standing watch all night every night.Bumps in the road aren’t gonna do it. How bout if the city just closes the road down. nobody’s allowed to come here because they can’t behave. Idiots ruin it for all.They closed the bridge for danger. Just shut alki down after dark.

Common Sense September 7, 2024 (1:09 pm)

How Elitist of all you people who live in Alki to think you have NO criminals living in your part of Seattle. Must be nice to think you live in a safe enclave. This type of stuff happens everywhere.

ltfd September 7, 2024 (2:00 pm)

‘Common Sense’? Not so much.
MB September 7, 2024 (2:09 pm)

The heck? Are you saying for equity purposes we should shoot up rich neighborhoods? Gun fights shouldn’t happen anywhere. Residents of any neighborhood should rightfully get extremely angry if it happens in theirs. It’s awful if the parties are locals, but it’s equally as awful if people from elsewhere decide that your back yard should be a rifle range.Take those elitist bashing fantasies elsewhere. The majority of people who live there are just regular folk who want to live their lives and not have a bullet in their window, just like everyone else.
Byron James September 9, 2024 (10:36 am)

@Common Sense. The only person that used the term “no crime” is you. In case you didn’t know it, some areas have far more crime than others.

Skipalapondo September 7, 2024 (2:56 pm)

I’m a generally paranoid person but I agree with a few of the above commenters that it’s time for traffic surveillance on Alki to help crack these cases. I think in the modern era it should be possible to set up a specific government department of traffic control and monitoring that helps direct traffic in emergencies (for example, alerting drivers of oncoming ambulances so they can get out of the way) and that holds the records of every traffic camera and license plate read for a set period of time. Police investigating a crime submit a case number and specific details of the vehicle or vehicles in question, and the records department finds only that footage and provides it. That way there’s a paper or digital trail to help identify abuses, and the cops can’t engage with real-time surveillance without a court order or compelling, violent-crime related active case. Set up the system so that the information is all stored off-line and is only transmitted by thumb-drives or other physical media to prevent hacking. I’m sure there’s other issues I’m not thinking of that commenters can point out below, but I’m willing to have those discussions to figure out how to make us all safer.

It just really frustrates me how we have all this computing power and so many opportunities to improve the world with connectivity, but most of it is just used to track humans as economic units to better market to us and not to keep us safe.

Runner September 7, 2024 (3:31 pm)

My wife and I recently went to a mariners a mariners game and rode the walk on ferry back to Alki after. It’s a little over a mile walk to our condo on Alki, and unfortunately I realized it was a mistake. Way too many groups of young people standing by their cars, openly drinking. There is no way that the police can’t see the same things when they drive by. Why do they just ignore it? In my humble opinion it’s when the police look the other way to the little things it emboldens bigger things. Bring on the camera and more enforcement of all the laws on the books.

Marcus September 7, 2024 (5:26 pm)

I have been so supportive of the SPD the wonderful men and women in blue. My thanks for all your efforts. The commanders and leaders of the SPD need to get off their butts and allocate resources to provide a deterrence. May lead to some difficult events but the present situation is unacceptable. Our SPD needs to be assertive in maintaining public safety. Get the job done SPD management!!’
- WSB September 7, 2024 (5:56 pm)
  
  The job that needs to get done is hiring. Almost daily, shifts are short what’s considered the minimum staffing level, and the call goes out over the air for officers to “augment” (stay over on OT). It’s been four years since ex-chief Diaz reallocated officers out of other roles (such as traffic enforcement) to increase the chances there were at least enough officers for 911 response (and the overall staff numbers have continued to drop since then – attrition, not funding). You can ask them yourself at Wednesday’s precinct meeting (6:30 pm, 2300 SW Webster) – and if you have suggestions for how they can better allocate anyway, that’s also a good place to speak up. – TR
  
  P.S. Here’s the first quarter SPD staffing report as presented to council
  https://seattle.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12977625&GUID=488D2B50-8059-4E86-A712-79F279380B94
  I don’t believe they’ve presented the second quarter staffing report to council yet.
  - WS Res September 7, 2024 (9:27 pm)
    
    If the union would stop fighting the transfer of services to non-officer responders, maybe their existing staffing would be sufficient. But they refuse to allow for expansion of non-armed crisis responders, or to let them go out without an armed officer, they deliberately screwed up transfer of parking enforcement to civilians, and moving 911 to civilians has also been contentious. You’d think an agency so struggling with staffing would be thrilled to have work taken off its plate but that’s not how police unions view things.
    - CarDriver September 8, 2024 (1:04 pm)
      
      WSRes. Your anti police and unions bias won’t solve crime.
    - Pete September 8, 2024 (3:37 pm)
      
      @cardriver. All of those efforts would’ve increased the numbers of cops on the street… that’s a fact. Shop steward here btw, very pro union, just anti nonsense.
    - WS Res September 8, 2024 (1:25 pm)
      
      Cardriver: That’s one thing my perspective has in common with SPD, then.I am pro-union. I am anti-police-union, especially when union contracts are used not to just set working conditions and salaries but to carve out tasks that only they are allowed to do (protectionism) and to exempt them from discipline and oversignt.
  - Lilly September 7, 2024 (9:43 pm)
    
    You’re spot on!
  - Marcus September 8, 2024 (6:09 am)
    
    Thank you WSB. Yet this process reminds me of the old adage that while the house is burning down the neighbors decide to have a committed vote electing a chairman to determine a game plan as to which hose would be the most efficient based upon an internet search of verified owner reviews. I think the general public has had enough and it is time for more than just process.
Derek September 7, 2024 (5:34 pm)

Oh no not young people hanging out!!! The horror!
- K. Davis September 7, 2024 (9:20 pm)
  
  There’s the far left brilliance … ignore 50+ bullets flying through the air fired by young people … just mock the people who observe that the shots came from young idiots with guns. Go with your wacko agenda …
- WS Resident September 8, 2024 (12:41 am)
  
  Did you really just call a literal gun fight “young people hanging out”?What a freaking troll.
  - Bbron September 8, 2024 (8:13 pm)
    
    read the comment they replied to, WS Resident: they said they made a mistake when they saw “Way too many groups of young people standing by their cars, openly drinking.” and that’s it. trying to connect that with this incident is a hell of a reach, and that’s what Derek is sarcasticly calling out. maybe folks would do better to get the context of a comment before making a reactionary comments themselves 🤷
- Alki Local September 8, 2024 (12:53 am)
  
  Yes, Derek, young people hanging out and also shooting at each other — read the headline! That’s the horror. There was also bullet damage to residences. Be thankful it wasn’t your home.

Alki Res September 7, 2024 (11:30 pm)

Unbelievable. A group of at least 25, maybe 30 young men/boys have congregated in close proximity in the same location as last night’s litter of shell casings – appear to be in argument, grabbing each other with fists and pushing each other around. But the “beach patrol”, with lights on, on the sidewalk, just ignored it and drove right by and did nothing. Absolutely nothing. And as they did 2 of the kids quickly ducked under a vehicle as they were passing by. Note to police. These kids are making fun of you and then some are hiding under the freaking vehicles right off Alki Ave.

thnking cap September 9, 2024 (11:42 am)

I mean, what did you think the cops should do in this case? It’s not illegal to roughhouse, it’s not illegal to argue, it’s not illegal to make fun of the cops, it’s not illegal to hide from the cops as they pass by.

If anyone wanted the police involved they (or you!) could have easily flagged down the cops driving by… But again, what exactly do you think the cops should have done in this case? What crime do you think was being committed?
Als September 10, 2024 (6:56 pm)

Not to nitpick but what you wrote above is inaccurate. The youths you referenced that were congregating in the same spot as the shooting, were repeatedly informed to leave the area, around 10:30 pm and the police even referenced the shooting the night before, on the police intercom. They eventually dispersed.

LisaS September 8, 2024 (8:32 am)

Why doesn’t the city just close down Alki Ave to car traffic. I know parking will be nearly impossible, but it may be better than what we have now.

Kathy September 8, 2024 (2:05 pm)

Even the cops I met at the Alki Pride car fee day said we need more street closures on Alki Avenue. They are not bringing guns to these fights on foot, biking or taking public transportation. Spread the word that Alki Avenue will be closed and they will (sadly) go somewhere else to do their mischief. There is plenty of street parking in other parts of Alki for those that have to come by car.

Sorry, comment time is over.