READER REPORT: Rock-throwers target homes, cars

| Crime | West Seattle news

The report was sent by Kate:

Yesterday at approximately 2:45 PM [near 22nd/Trenton], we heard a commotion in our backyard. When my husband looked outside, he saw two teenage boys throwing rocks at our windows. He ran out to confront them, but they had already fled.

We decided to drive around the area to see if we could find anything and soon encountered a neighbor who reported that the same individuals had thrown an object and shattered the rear windshield of her car.

As we continued driving, we spoke with several other neighbors who shared similar experiences. Based on what we gathered, the incidents appear to have started around 2:20 PM near SW Thistle and the alley between 22nd Ave SW and 24th Ave SW. The teenagers then moved southbound down the alley, throwing rocks, soda bottles, and other objects at homes and vehicles, eventually ending their path at SW Henderson Street.

A police report has been filed (Incident # 25-238883). If anyone has video footage or additional information and would like to share, please feel free to add it to the incident report.

The image is a cropped screengrab from security video.

Seattlite August 20, 2025 (12:03 pm)

It is so sad that these teens enjoy destroying other people’s properties. SPD needs to catch these two. Hopefully, their parents will get them help to stop their destructive actions. Both teens are on a very bad path that leads to nowhere good.

Mike August 20, 2025 (12:25 pm)

Sue the parents for damages. Press charges against the suspects.

Al King August 20, 2025 (12:36 pm)

Didn’t something like this happen a while back-in this general neighborhood and get reported on by WSB?

WSB August 20, 2025 (2:29 pm)

Yes, I haven’t found that story in the archives yet but trying.
- HS August 20, 2025 (3:58 pm)
  
  @WSB
  
  WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Vandals throw rocks, damage homes and cars

Sbre August 20, 2025 (1:39 pm)

My little brother and I did the same thing back in the 60’s and got away with it, until we confessed. (Ages 10 & 9)We only targeted windows of house, mostly garages. Probably 8-10 or 11 places.A few days later we heard that the dad of one of our friends’ fell off a ladder while working in his garage, when a rock shattered the window near him. (We didn’t know our friend lived there)He sustained a broken shoulder and a head injury. The night we heard this we ran to moms car as soon as she arrived home from work and told her. She immediately put us in the car and drove to the area where we did it and then we walked to every house that was targeted, confessing and collecting names & phone numbers so she could ensure that we repay everyone.To my surprise that evening, not one person suggested calling the police.Rodger and I mowed a lot of lawns, did a lot of other manual labor and even washed some cars, dogs and cleaned-out a chicken coop.Eventually we settled our debts with everyone and in the process made some new friends and learned a lot of lessons.An older lady who owned one of homes left us with a montra that’s stayed with me over the decades…”Throw kisses, not rocks”.

Oakley34 August 20, 2025 (2:39 pm)

Yeah this is definitely an old story that gets played out by every generation. What disturbs me is that while we were stupid kids too back in the late 80s and early 90s (and now I’m a stupid middle aged guy) is that you’ve gotta be double-dumb to do stuff like this knowing full well there’s a camera on every other dang doorbell and garage.They’ll figure it out.

Joan August 20, 2025 (3:09 pm)

This is not normal. We never did such things. Those kids should be identifiable by parents from the photo.

WS98 August 20, 2025 (7:14 pm)

Definitely not normal or typical behavior, especially for teenagers. They knew exactly what they were doing. I hope they’re identified and the seriousness of this bad behavior gets addressed.
Francis August 21, 2025 (2:14 pm)

Maybe you were a goody two-shoes, Joan, but I bet your brothers sure did. Kids have been doing this since people stopped living in caves!

Rhonda August 20, 2025 (3:24 pm)

A thrown rock is a deadly weapon and can cause serious injury and death. When caught they should do hard time and be charged as adults if 16 or over.

My two cents August 20, 2025 (8:52 pm)

Ronda – How long should they get?
- Rhonda August 20, 2025 (10:56 pm)
  
  The same as if they shot a gun into houses and cars, My two cents.
Hide August 20, 2025 (11:41 pm)

I’ve never understood this perspective. If they’re kids they’re kids, and should be handled as kids. The fact they did something more serious (and throwing rocks at buildings, while definitely bad and worth punishing, is hardly the worst thing ever) doesn’t make them adults or their brains more developed. Treating them as adults will do more harm than good in the long run.
Neighbor August 21, 2025 (9:15 am)

I honestly can’t tell if this is satire. Are you really so giddy to condemn these kids to a life of prison-industrial motivated recidivism?
Lagartija Nick August 21, 2025 (9:30 am)

Cruelty is a choice, Rhonda. And it is one that you MAGA folks are failing miserably at.

Julia August 20, 2025 (3:52 pm)

My first thought, you could probably find a similar story in every decade of every local newspaper. Kids are dumb.

Joe August 20, 2025 (6:02 pm)

We did this exact same thing and also much worse things back when were that age in the early 90’s in West Seattle. It’s called being bored with your friends in the Summer.

J August 20, 2025 (9:49 pm)

It’s called “criminal activity” no matter the decade. No wonder this type of criminal activity continues when so many commenters here seem to feel it’s some type of right of passage into “adulthood”. Pathetic!
alki_2008 August 21, 2025 (1:46 am)

Being bored in 2025 when there is the internet, video games, hundreds of channels to watch on tv/computer. Excusing this type of behavior is why it’s a problem. If kids are bored, then they should ‘entertain’ themselves on their own property. They don’t have the right to affect other people’s lives and properties.
Al King August 21, 2025 (11:53 am)

Joe. So you excuse what these kids are doing? If that was your car or home that was hit you’d say “hey, kids no problem cause I did the same thing. And don’t worry I won’t call police cause you’ve done nothing wrong”.

Jackie August 20, 2025 (9:27 pm)

I am the other neighbor mentioned in this post, and unfortunately my car was one of the ones damaged. The back window was completely shattered while my car was parked in my own driveway — in broad daylight, while we were home. It cost me $500 out of pocket to replace the window.

We kept eyes on the two teenagers for nearly 20 minutes as they ran through yards and alleys, and I called 911 four separate times with updates on their location. Unfortunately, officers weren’t able to get to us in time to catch them.

It’s disheartening to see such brazen behavior from kids who didn’t seem worried about being caught, but I share this in the hope that raising awareness will help us all look out for one another. If anyone has footage or additional information, it may make a difference in preventing this from happening again.

For reference, the taller boy in the back was wearing black basketball shorts with a thin blue-and-white stripe down the side.

Mike August 21, 2025 (10:35 am)

$500 deductible for you, cost is over $1,000 in damages though. Just in a single vehicle. These kids are guilty of a class C felony with just your vehicle. There’s a possibility they’re guilty of a Class B felony if you add all damages. Best of luck to their parents, these kids are stupid and deserve what’s coming.First Degree Malicious Mischief (Class B felony): Damage exceeds $5,000. Possible penalties include up to 10 years in prison, fines up to $20,000, and restitution for repairs or replacement of damaged property.Second Degree Malicious Mischief (Class C felony): Damage valued between $750 and $5,000. Penalties can include up to 5 years in prison, fines up to $10,000, and restitution.Third Degree Malicious Mischief (Gross misdemeanor): Damage less than $750. Punishable by up to 364 days in jail and fines up to $5,000, along with possible restitution and other court-ordered requirements.
- Rick August 21, 2025 (12:15 pm)
  
  How much will it cost the taxpayers to incarcerate these kids for multiple years? Do you think that punishment is likely to make them more or less functional and contributing members of society?
  - Mike August 22, 2025 (10:26 am)
    
    Less than the increases in insurance we pay every year for the uptick in crime. I’d gladly spend $500 a year to save $8,000 a year I’m paying in additional insurance costs now.

Be Here Together August 21, 2025 (7:21 am)

So sorry this happened to you all. Sure hope those youths will soon learn to be helpful contributing members of our community, and find other outlets for their boredom and angst… they definitely need to see the errors of their ways. Doesn’t matter if it’s a friend’s family’s Home your damaging, or a complete strangers. We are all living here together. Sharing this space and time. We must learn to help one another, in any & all ways, not hinder. Life is hard enough! Let’s All Do Something Today: Smile to a stranger; say “hello” to an elderly person, or a toddler, or just a random somone you pass by; hold a door open for a person you don’t know; pick up a few pieces of litter next time you walk somewhere; give a gratuitous tip to a hard worker; hand a homeless person a bottle of water & an energy bar; support a local restaurant; buy from your most local business… I’m sure you can find your own way, to contribute to & support Your Community today. Thank you all, for being here together. For Being The Example, in the moments of your days…

Juanita August 21, 2025 (10:00 am)

Besides the fact that “boredom” is no excuse to commit a crime, the impact on people’s lives is paramount. You never know someone’s situation, having to spend 500.00+ dollars to fix windshields and/or windows could be the difference of someone paying their rent, eating or getting meds. Many people can’t afford a 500.00+ dollar emergency. What about any living thing on the other side of that window that may have been hit by glass or rocks? Imagine coming home from work, being greeted by your dog at the door with blood all over his paws and blood paw prints all over the house. Or coming home to a totally shattered window and your pet has gotten out, no where to be seen? So yes, hopefully these kids are found and they, and their parents, are held accountable for their actions.

Juanita August 22, 2025 (1:47 am)

FYI, at 1:14 am had a group of three teenagers, two females, one male stroll VERY loudly down SW Trenton towards Westwood. Was ignoring them but the male decided he was going to be destructive and repeatedly kick a sign we have in front of the house. I came out of the house and told him to stop. One of the females said “sorry” to which I replied, no you’re not, that was done on purpose, I saw you do it and you’re still here. We paid for that sign. Now move along and be careful in these streets. The male said something back that I couldn’t make out but I let it go. Same male was with two other teenage males last week after 2am loud in the street going towards 35th. I know some of you think this is harmless but we do have drive bys, coyotes, and other dangers in West Seattle. We also have some home owners with guns that are becoming increasingly, um, vigilant, as well as many seniors that frighten easily. Keep an eye on your kids. Perhaps get them an Uber if they are coming home late at night/early in the morning.

Sorry, comment time is over.