WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation near Walt Hundley Playfield

Police are investigating gunfire near Walt Hundley Playfield just before 10 pm. The reader photo is from the 31st/Myrtle vicinity; police arriving at the scene initially reported “several” casings, but the photo shows far more than “several.” The sender said it appeared to be a “gunfight with automatic weapons”; police were told two cars left the scene, but the only description they got in the early going was that one was a “dark sedan.” No victims were found at the scene, but a short time ago, a teenage boy with a gunshot wound showed up at Harborview Medical Center, and according to a radio exchange, police just learned his injury is apparently from this incident.

12:34 AM: Now it appears that the Harborview walk-in was linked to gunfire in another part of the city instead, according to this SPD Blotter post. Meantime, we’re hoping for more info on the High Point incident later this morning. The reader who provided the photo said they counted more than 60 cards. At one point in the archived audio, one officer said they were running out of the cards and needed someone to bring more.

23 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation near Walt Hundley Playfield"

  • Todd April 18, 2025 (5:02 am)

    Ya know, I’m getting really f**** tired of this wantant unmitigated violence.

    We are well past the point of “discussing” what to do about this.

    It’s time to take definitive action and start throwing people in PRISON with VERY LONG SENTENCES.

    The constant coddling by the courts and especially liberal judges who facilitate and allow this type of crime to perpetuate need to be held to task. I and my fellow citizens are DONE living with this egregious and dangerous criminal behavior.

    While we’re at it, let’s start building youth jails again as well and implement MANDATORY sentences for youth actually (convicted) of violent crime. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! 

    • T Rex April 18, 2025 (9:26 am)

      WELL SAID TODD!  

    • Derp April 18, 2025 (10:03 am)

      Good luck with that.  This state has made it to easy for juveniles to get away with to much. I lost my son in November to 3 juveniles, he was hit by a car with them in it.  They ran.  The police don’t know who was driving.  So 5 months later,  still nothing. 

    • Jeff April 18, 2025 (10:35 am)

      Judges cannot (and should not try to) create sentences that don’t exist under the law.    This is squarely on the legislators, only they can actually change sentencing guidelines.

    • Nolan April 18, 2025 (2:35 pm)

      You realize that’s already what happens, right? That’s the exact approach that isn’t working.

  • Lives right here April 18, 2025 (7:53 am)

    It should be known that this very easily could’ve ended up a mass casualty event as there was a soccer game going on when the shooting happened. Everyone at the field ducked for cover and hit the ground as 50+ bullets flew nearby. These people need to be off the streets. 

  • Citizen April 18, 2025 (9:23 am)

    Stronger gun laws are overdue in this state and country.

    • Adam April 18, 2025 (12:33 pm)

      As a gun owner and concealed permit holder, I agree. It was laughably easy to buy a gun, and the nominal fee and background check to get my concealed permit doesn’t ensure proper training. I’m very much on the fence about the new laws that may come in demanding training, but only because availability is not there and may lead to delays in law-abiding citizens getting their self-defense tools. A woman wanting to hold something for defense against an abusive ex now has to wait possibly far too long to get their gun, and I hope it’s not too late. However as much as gun ownership is a right, I’d much prefer that all of us holding one had a decent amount of training. We do it with driving, many other things. 

  • Frank April 18, 2025 (9:25 am)

    The city needs flock safety cameras all over. At least they could get a license plate for the car description. No they’re not on every block but when a camera picks up a model similar to witness description it will record a license plate and detectives can look into it. Instead we only have license plate readers on patrol vehicles that only identify stolen cars. And a few cameras around Alki that need manual review. Cops are hard to hire but tech can make their job easier. The data gets deleted after 30 days. Plenty other cities and counties nearby use it with success. The real privacy invasion happens when bullets are flying into our house and across our playfields. Step up Saka and Harrell 

  • DC April 18, 2025 (9:39 am)

    This is Rob Saka’s Seattle folks. Rather than take any action or pass any bills that would actually address this, he’s passing bills to condemn an unsuccessful ‘defund police’ movement that ended 5 years ago. Time to take responsibility Rob!  

    • wscommuter April 18, 2025 (12:45 pm)

      I’m neutral about Saka, but what, precisely, are you suggesting he/the city council do to stop shootings?  The city has no jurisdiction over felony offenses.  Perhaps you have a suggestion that the city is empowered to enact that would help.  I’m all ears.  

  • mygoodness April 18, 2025 (9:43 am)

    What are “cards”? 

    • WSB April 18, 2025 (10:08 am)

      The small numbered cards placed as markers for where police find casings/bullets.

  • Tom April 18, 2025 (10:53 am)

    I agree with Todd. What ever happened to three strikes you’re out.

  • HS April 18, 2025 (11:28 am)

    More youth, teen and young adult activities / groups / organized stuff have traditionally been effective at helping steer kids under 21 into healthier friendships and better opportunities. If you have a business consider hiring a few teens as interns (pay them and give them an opportunity to learn).

  • AJ April 18, 2025 (11:33 am)

    Just another day in America.  Nothing to see here.   Please move on.

  • bill April 18, 2025 (12:18 pm)

    Y’all are so precious, railing against “liberal judges” for a problem that originates with conservative US Supreme Court justices issuing unhinged interpretations of the Second Amendment.

    • Daniel April 18, 2025 (1:36 pm)

      So far, WA and the 9th circuit have been more or less immune from any impacts on the recent conservative court decision (assuming we’re talking about the one from the last few years).  All of that is still tied up in years and years of appeals.  But yea also, King County judges hand down sentences detailed in WA state law, so that isn’t the right tree to bark up either.

    • Peter S. April 18, 2025 (6:20 pm)

      @Bill:  While there’s certainly room to debate the interpretation of the Second Amendment, the FACT is judges have considerable latitude to hand out sentences within the specified guidelines.  No-bail/low-bail/home-detention sentences are apparently insufficient to deter this kind of behavior.   For various reasons, It can literally take years for a case to go to trial.  Meanwhile, anyone out on bail or ignoring their home detention order is able to continue their anti-social behavior unabated, if they choose.  That’s one reason so many arrested have multiple previous arrests and charges. 

      Civilian possession of a fully automatic firearm is illegal in Washington State.  It’s a violation of federal law to not have the proper paperwork in states where possession is legal.  The penalty for this offense is up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.    If that doesn’t deter someone, then I can’t imagine what new law would.  First, we need to enforce the laws we already have on the books.   

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