WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation (updated Tuesday)

| Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, 10:46 PM MONDAY: Police are investigating confirmed gunfire in High Point. Someone said they were shot at while driving home from High Point Library, and wasn’t sure where it had happened, but police told dispatch they have found both several bullet holes in the car and several casings on 35th near the library. No injuries reported so far.

ADDED 11:34 AM TUESDAY: We’ve just obtained the narrative from SPD (they are responsible for the XXX redactions):

Two different residents reported the sounds of the shooting, one resident in the 5900 block of 34 Av Sw, and another resident in the 3100 block of Sw Raymond St.

At approximately 2226 hours, I arrived in the area and began looking for signs of a shooting, when Radio advised that a new caller was reporting that their brother had been shot at. I responded to the caller’s residence (elsewhere in High Point). … XXXXX and his younger sister … were returning from a family member’s house in XXXXXX. XXXXX was unable to name the streets but was able to describe his route home once he exited SR-99.

XXXXX took the hill on Highland Park Wy Sw to Sw Holden St, and then up another hill on Sylvan Wy Sw, which turns into Sw Morgan St as it approaches Sw 35 St. XXXXX made a right-hand turn onto 35th St and had passed the Walgreens located at 6330 35 Av Sw. Prior to making a right-hand turn onto Sw Raymond St, XXXXX thought he heard fireworks. It wasn’t until he felt broken glass on his neck that he realized someone was shooting at his vehicle.

XXXXX told his sister to duck down in the front passenger seat while he quickly drove off eastbound on Raymond St. XXXXX has no idea why anyone would target him or his sister, and believes that it was a mistaken identity, possibly based on his vehicle … a 2022 green Dodge Charger with tinted windows. Neither XXXXX or XXXX were able to provide a suspect or vehicle description.

XXXXX returned home to their residence where he told his older sister, XXXXX XXXX, what had just occurred. Neither XXXXX or XXXX recall anything out of the ordinary on their drive home (and neither) have had any recent conflicts with anyone.

XXXXX and XXXX did not sustain any injuries from the shooting. XXXXX’s vehicle had numerous areas of damage from the shooting. The damage was mostly to the driver’s side of the vehicle, which appeared to have at least four points of entry: two on the driver’s side rear quarter panel and two on the driver’s rear passenger side window.

It appeared two of the rounds that entered the vehicle may have exited thru the front passenger side windshield.

Officer XXXXX took photographs of the vehicle and recovered a slug from the driver’s rear quarter panel and two fragments located just below the front passenger side windshield. Officer XXXXX also recovered three shell casings that had been located in the street near 35 Av Sw and Sw Raymond St. … It is unknown if anyone witnessed the shooting and no cameras were observed in the area.

WSRes June 16, 2025 (10:53 pm)

We heard it. Did SPD say the parties know each other or was it random.

Alex June 16, 2025 (11:21 pm)

This is the third or fourth gunfire-related incident at the High Point Library this year and I’ve heard nothing from SPL, SPD, Rob Saka or anybody about how they plan to specifically address this clear gun violence hotspot. Neighbors’ homes have been shot, cars have been shot – how long until my child is shot? The parking lot is an issue. It’s obviously somebody’s turf. Who is taking responsibility for this? Who owns this parking lot? Do neighbors need to threaten legal action if the property owner is unwilling to take action, here? FYI this location already has streetlights and sidewalks, Rob, so you’re going to have to come up with an actual solution.

Neighbor June 17, 2025 (1:35 am)

Serious question: if the lot is privately owned is the owner actually responsible for security or are they another victim? Seems like the city and police not private parties are responsible for responding to violence.
Anne June 17, 2025 (8:14 am)

Hey Alex-what SPECIFICALLY do YOU think can be done?
- Adam June 17, 2025 (8:57 am)
  
  Policing. Let’s start with policing, Anne. What was YOUR idea? SPECIFICALLY? I mean besides seeing a comment about someone fed up and being passive aggressive?
- K June 17, 2025 (9:05 am)
  
  Alex is not an elected leader. We elect people to manage our city and watch after constituents. While gun violence is a problem nationwide, it’s completely fair for us to hold our elected official accountable to work on solutions.
- AdmiralSCmom June 17, 2025 (9:56 am)
  
  Anne- really? So passive aggressive towards a concerned neighbors comment isnt going to help. Chill out and be part of the solution vs being so aggressive towards individuals personally being affected by these thugs.
- Alex June 17, 2025 (10:24 am)
  
  Cameras in the lot, High Point security guard patrols, actual police response to suspicious vehicle reports, gates to the lot. Those are some specifics. And each and every one of those beats the current “strategy,” which is “do nothing and wait to show up and pick up shell casings after another shooting is reported.” This group has been doing this for months now. Months of gunfire raining down into our neighborhood. At the same spot.
  - W Seattle June 17, 2025 (11:35 am)
    
    I’ve brought up putting after hour gates at the library parking lot several times, to HOA, SHA and the safety meeting. I’d say at this point there’s not a lot of enthusiasm from our institutions and politicians for limiting the shady after hour activities that take place there. Vehicles drive into the far corner and adjacent handicapped spots and do what they do….
    - HP Concerned June 17, 2025 (3:16 pm)
      
      Don’t think it’s fair to blame HOA in this specific case … they don’t have any authority over the library ….
- fitz4 June 20, 2025 (11:41 am)
  
  Video cameras… if we are fine with witnesses giving testimony, why wouldn’t we want cameras identifying the criminal. (then of course you actually hope king county puts a guy shooting people in prison)
Bradley June 18, 2025 (9:55 am)

People are eager to blame Saka who has only just started as a councilman. What did Lisa Herbold ever do? Rob has inherited the issues she wouldn’t touch.

pnwestresident June 17, 2025 (7:10 am)

Gate to parking lot that will close it off when it’s not open? Or one of those big white standing police cameras in the lot? Like the ones they have in some Target parking lots. I initially thought a quiet street sign right at the intersection off 35th/raymond next to library, but not sure that makes sense there. This is all way too close for comfort.

TreeHouse June 17, 2025 (7:43 am)

Where are you Rob Saka? Where are you SPD? Are you doing anything or are you asleep at the wheel? There have been multiple shootings in this very same spot over the past few months. I have seen no additional police presence or even the slightest bit of effort to prevent this. They are going to sit on their hands until someone is murdered and then act all shocked about it. I’m angry at the inaction. I think I need to start logging every time this happens and drop off mailers to everyone in High Point during the next election.

Pnwwestres June 17, 2025 (9:01 am)

According to his IG, he’s currently hosting office hours every week at the Southwest Customer Service Center. People are able to schedule a time slot to meet at that location (not sure he’s there every single time or his staff). But they’re there to meet and hear people’s concerns. I’m about to DM him.

Local Neighbor June 17, 2025 (8:02 am)

The presence of cars without plates, tinted windows, shielded plates around here has me taking notes. This is all day observation. Get your cars legal if you don’t want to look suspect.

Neighbor June 17, 2025 (9:40 am)

What do expired tabs have to do with gun violence? You’re paranoid. Consider a less stressful hobby.
- Brian June 17, 2025 (11:41 am)
  
  Their comment doesn’t even mention expired tabs. RCP.
- EJ June 19, 2025 (6:18 pm)
  
  Are you that deluded? Do you think law abiding citizens drive without plates (RCW 46.16A.200) and illegally-tinted windows (RCW 46.37.430)? Quite obviously they’re doing those things to avoid identification.
W Seattle June 17, 2025 (11:53 am)

I still scratch my head wondering why people are allowed to drive with expired tabs. I passed one the other day it literally expired in 2022 but is still on the road. The city won’t enforce it for some reason, yet our insurance rates skyrocket in these austere times based on a political decision not to address the issue. Reasons for enforcing little things like current tabs, tail lights etc. is to protect the community from uninsured motorists and safety issues based on Federal Vehicle guidelines… Mind boggling how things get politicized and rationalized in this day and age.
- WSB June 17, 2025 (12:09 pm)
  
  Yes, they DO issue tickets for expired/missing tabs. Doesn’t mean there’s an officer there to catch every one, but (a) if you see one parked you can notify Parking Enforcement and (b) if you listen to police radio, you’ll hear traffic stops.
  - Jaded_and_Cynical June 17, 2025 (2:15 pm)
    
    I’ve given up reporting my neighbor’s truck for expired tabs. Seven months and it’s never been ticketed. That family must have someone in SPD doing them “favors” because they had a sparkling new SUV that went unrenewed for two years.
    - WSB June 17, 2025 (2:40 pm)
      
      Sounds like an OPA case then. All I can tell you is they ARE doing some enforcement. (Some just up the block from us again this afternoon, in fact.)
    - M June 18, 2025 (1:56 pm)
      
      Really working on building community with your neighbors, huh?
    - EJ June 19, 2025 (7:49 pm)
      
      Orrrr—hear me out—they’re current on their registration and the licensing office hasn’t sent their tabs/they were lost in the mail. I’m sure more often than not it’s due to a deliberate attempt at avoiding tab fees, but it has happened to me.
- CARGUY June 18, 2025 (3:11 pm)
  
  Just to let you know, you can be insured and have expired tabs.

HP Resident June 17, 2025 (9:10 am)

We also heard it, and the car speeding off after. 911 dispatcher asked us if we were sure it wasn’t fireworks. Now we have our answer. There need to be cameras put up in that parking lot STAT.

alkiannie June 17, 2025 (9:10 am)

I love that library. This is sad.

westseattlite June 17, 2025 (9:20 am)

This was included as a suggestion to Rob Saka:

One possible solution could be installing a gate to restrict access to the parking lot during hours when the library is closed. This may help deter further gunfire and prevent unauthorized access to the area. Additionally, even a simple “Quiet Street” sign at the corner of 34th and Raymond could serve as a deterrent and encourage calmer traffic and behavior in the vicinity.

healthystreetsign June 17, 2025 (9:41 am)

Not sure what it would take to get a Healthy Street Sign installed on the corner of 34th and Raymond, but maybe that would help deter this from continually happening. Or maybe even on 31st and on 34th. I reached out to NeighborhoodGreenways@seattle.gov for more info.

Alex June 17, 2025 (10:33 am)

WSB, have the police released any additional information about this incident, and do they have any plans to address this ongoing problem spot? It is not enough to say, “call 911.” We’ve done that each time, and so have our neighbors. The Seattle Housing Authority seems to own the lot – what are they doing to prevent gunshots from piercing the walls of neighborhood houses from people who have apparently “claimed” this lot as turf?

WSB June 17, 2025 (10:42 am)

I’m following up with the usual request for narrative as soon as I can find the incident number.
- WSB June 17, 2025 (11:46 am)
  
  Obtained and added. One crucial update since some want to focus on the library parking lot; while gunfire evidence was found nearby, the victim whose car was hit was passing through the area, not coming from it.
  - WS resident June 17, 2025 (2:40 pm)
    
    And based on the points of entry and vehicle direction, sounds like the shooter was across the street on the north side of Raymond.
    - Concerned neighbor June 17, 2025 (3:40 pm)
      
      Although the shooter was not in the parking lot, I do think having an open lot easy to meet up in is contributing to people gathering to that area.

keepwestseacrimefree June 17, 2025 (11:11 am)

Contacted the Seattle Housing Authority via their contact form here for more info regarding this issue. You can submit a message and select High Point to reach the property manager: https://www.seattlehousing.org/contact-us/contact-property-manager

absolutelyinfuriating June 17, 2025 (11:59 am)

I’m going to lose my mind over this. Oh wait, I already have. Does anyone know if any residents within close vicinity of High Point Library are working on anything like getting Healthy Street Signs installed? Sincerely, a very concerned sister with family in that area.

Neighbor June 21, 2025 (8:22 am)

What are healthy street signs? We lived right behind the library for over a year. I constantly noticed criminal activity in the parking lot, and called it in several times. SPD was often slow in responding. We moved away, partly because we didn’t feel safe and rent was outrageous for such living in an unsafe neighborhood.

Ace June 17, 2025 (4:57 pm)

I did hear back from Saka’s office about after hours gates here. A bunch of empty words and inaction and a bunch of reasons about “why not” and buck-passing. I’m also sure someone from their office has to read these comments. Hey City Council, look here. Some actual crowd sourced actionable solutions. Do something. I don’t want us all finally getting answers because City Council only acted after somebody’s been murdered in our community.

Actually Mike June 17, 2025 (5:48 pm)

This is a situation where leadership on public safety is sorely needed. If only we had a Mayor or someone like that, y’know?

brizone June 17, 2025 (7:02 pm)

Saka will do nothing.

updatefromseattlehousingauth June 17, 2025 (8:37 pm)

Here’s the email response I received from Seattle Housing Authority:

To respond to your suggestions: the library and its parking lot are not owned or managed by Seattle Housing Authority; you would need to reach out to the library directly with your concerns regarding adding a gate. As for the healthy street signage for Raymond, you would need to reach out to SDOT, as we don’t have jurisdiction to make any changes to city owned streets.

Alex June 17, 2025 (9:48 pm)

Interesting they would say that. Because, in fact, SHA does own the lot. Maybe we’ve found the problem! Perhaps if they realized that, yes, in fact, they do own the lot, then perhaps they’ll be willing to take responsibility for it?! Or perhaps legal action will compel them to responsibility?

Here we have the parking lot that nobody wants to claim ownership over! Funny how that works when there are problems. “Not my problem!” says the SHA. “Not my problem!” says the HOA. “Not my problem!” says the library. Sounds like we can all just sit back and let the bullets continue to fly into our homes because this is apparently free, unclaimed land in the city of Seattle where no laws or order apply of any kind. Give me a BREAK.
- HP June 18, 2025 (1:10 pm)
  
  If you look closely at that map you just attached, that side of the lot technically falls under the clinic. If you want to split hairs, the library technically is only responsible for a smaller portion of the lot. But it is my understanding that library customers & clinic patients can park anywhere in the shared lot. Adding a gate may also be a little more complicated as the library and clinic have different hours of operation, but I digress.