Police are investigating confirmed gunfire in the Alki area. After 911 calls, they went to look for gunfire evidence, and found casings at 59th/Alki a short time ago. No reports of injuries or property damage so far.
It was a red convertible, they were doing donuts then they shot at us while we were walking home after getting off work. Luckily we ran and it didn’t hit us, but be careful out there tonight!
Sorry to hear this. If you have not already, please contact SPD to file a report.
Off 61st, we heard a loud vehicle racing/screeching scarily back and forth a couple blocks repeatedly and at least 3 gunshots one after another during this time. I can only assume it was from the moving vehicle. I closed all doors and windows immediately, so not sure if there was more.
SPD, please position a squad car or 2 along Alki Av at night during summer months when most of the violent incidents tend to usually happen.
Are you serious? Like SPD is staffed enough to just position 2 squad cars along Alki Ave at night -all during summer.
Heard that car. Might have been backfires. After midnight last few nights there’s been a car-American with V8 revving up and going back and forth on 61st. Woke me up, and I’m sure everyone else.
It is not enough that the criminals shoot guns in the air. It is not enough that the criminals shoot guns at parked cars. It is not enough that the criminals shoot guns at homes and multi family dwellings. And now, the criminals are shooting at people, bystanders, just walking down the street. Anyone else see how this is progressing?
I am not too surprised because Seattle is a tolerant and progressive city. There isn’t enough jails to house criminals but if more were built, Seattle citizens and the King County Council would protest.
Am I the only one to notice an increase on illegal driving and reving this summer? It normally tapers down in July but lately it is every night, even very late hours.
@AAr: Agreed. I hope I have the opportunity to attend the next Public Safety Meeting and ask SPD and our esteemed Seattle City Council leader(s) why this is tolerated. Is it still a matter of officer shortage? Have patrol officers been told by SPD “leadership” not to enforce specific laws?
“25.08.010 – Declaration of policyIt is the policy of the City to minimize the exposure of citizens to the physiological and psychological dangers of excessive noise and to protect, promote, and preserve the public health, safety, and welfare. It is the express intent of the City Council to control the level of noise in a manner that promotes commerce; the use, value, and enjoyment of property; sleep, and repose; and the quality of the environment. (Ord. 106360 § 101, 1977.)”
Source: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT25ENPRHIPR_CH25.08NOCO
There’s at least one group that has parties somewhere down on Alki that go well into the AM. Can’t tell exactly where from my house, but the sound of laughter and booming music can clearly be heard northeast of Schmitz Park. The last one (2 days ago) wrapped up just before 5AM, followed by racing and backfiring cars zipping up and down Admiral Way. I had to close my bedroom windows on a hot night so I could get some solid sleep. I can’t imagine what it would be like trying to sleep next to that.
I think most of us accept that a certain amount of “fun” is to be expected at a popular beach, but there needs to be a reasonable cutoff time. I thought that’s why the beach was supposedly “closed” at 10PM? Add people who randomly or otherwise shoot guns and it’s a next-level of dangerous and ridiculous.
Yes-would definitely like to hear why SPD can’t just post cars from Harbor Ave to the end of Alki Ave -oh & Admiral Way while they’re at it-maybe Beach Drive , too-right??The beach (-you know -where the sand & water is) is closed at 10-not the promenade/sidewalk/streets. But while we’re at it -let’s post Parks & SPD out on the beach, too.
The laws should be enforced, period. Police has many tools to use, cars and bikes can be impounded, citations can be issued, people can be arrested if needed. And yes, just showing up and patrolling acts as deterrence, no need to fill the streets with squad cars. I cannot agree more with Peter S, please ask these questions at the next council meeting. Everybody can enjoy the beach and have fun and this is 100% compatible with a safe, reasonable quiet environment at night, is not that difficult. It seems that our city leadership has “ given up “ and nobody cares about enforcing the rules anymore. Alki is spiraling out of control. Would anybody investigate last night shooting, follow up, ask about these gangs? Would the press ask any questions tomorrow ? One year ago there was a dead body at the Luna Park, I think Saka came here next morning for a few minutes and after that nobody talked about it anymore, it is forgotten. Did anyone investigate, did the press ask follow-up questions, did anyone care at all? Thanks WSB for publishing this. It is so sad to read the Seattle Times, it seems that the only important news are the last Mariners game and the weather, zero coverage about the city problems, zero interest in keeping the city management accountable.
I have witnessed both parks and SPD drive right by as people are drinking and blasting music from their illegally modified trucks, parked in police/ fire lanes, and not even tap the brakes to slow down.
It sucks so bad and not just on Alki. There are bros driving their loud, modified cars all over our neighborhood too. They look so stupid and are extremely disruptive. I’d much rather the occasional fireworks than the daily car bros (if I had to pick an illegal noise in this fun game.)
Frequent gunfire,illegal driving and noise,and countless near accidents—welcome to one of the used-to-be finest Seattle parks.This summer has been horrendous and downright scary for rule abiding citizens.Wake up people! We are losing control of one of our treasured assets.
Alki Avenue – from Harbor Ave to the commercial district – is experiencing its loudest, most violent summer. That’s what I’ll remember about 2025. From sundown to well past midnight now, the level of aggressive driving – with noise exceeding 90db – is unprecedented. And last night’s shooting is just one of many incidents involving guns. If Councilman Saka and/or the commander of SPD’s third watch don’t recognize Alki’s rising level of violence, they’re blind or incompetent … or both. I’ve lived here 20 years, and I wouldn’t walk a dog at night now without worrying that some driver might enjoy taking a shot.
So what, you want big walls protecting houses from roads? The problem is, and always has been gangs, that solely exist because of capitalism breeding it to exist. Lower class sees black market as a way to thrive despite harsh conditions the acceptable market presents. Reactionary measures never work. We must invest in our cities socially or you will NEVER fix this. These headlines have happened for decades with no fix in sight. Fix gangs by making society better for children. Make college and education cheaper. Universal base income, etc. Jailing has been tried for 200 years and never worked. Repeat offenders immediately. Rich and wealthy want lower taxes and lower wages, yet never consider this backlash. Same as it ever was.
Give us all scientifically proven undeniable facts it’s gang related and not just random reckless behavior. And while you’re at it please prove anyone responsible for the crimes is only lower class. You seem to blame the rich for all of societies faults, does that automatically make everyone else a criminal? There are plenty of people struggling who don’t race cars and shoot guns so what’s with the singling out?
I’ve posted the Google maps link that shows where gangs literally mapped put their territories on the maps. Nobody cares. At all.
Derek, the guys doing donuts in $60,000 cars with $5,000 wheels at Alki aren’t impoverished “from Capitalism”. They’re intoxicated scofflaws taking advantage of the lack of Seattle police and frightened residents.
Derek. Your post makes NO sense and only serves to provide excuses for the law breakers.
You’re perpetuating the stereotype that there is a correlation between being poor and being a criminal. This is harmful because it reinforces a belief that poor people are dangerous.
People stop calling the police when they lose confidence that anything will be done. Alki is out of control and has been for a long time. Enforce the existing laws and things will change. Until then there is no fear of being caught and punished, so no change.
You know where gangs thrive the most? Socialist countries. Capitalism isn’t the problem. You have lived a privileged life of you are that unaware of why people flee socialism by the millions.
Absolutely untrue. Perhaps you are confusing the concept of socialism with something else.
Visible street crimes are done by the poor, the addicted or the mentally illPeople with a little to a lot of money do white collar crimes, invisible crimes that rarely get punished for.Get people off the streets and into rehab and housingGive young people hope for a financial future and you get lower crime like in most of the rest of the wealthy world
I mentioned several weeks ago the idea of making Alki/Harbor Ave local access only after midnight and was eviscerated for it.
1) They are public roads we all pay for, not private driveways.2) Alki is not a gated community.3) Who’s going to stop vehicles to check IDs of residents?4) How would this stop drunken partiers from doing donuts and shooting-off stolen guns?5) You can’t close neighborhoods.
I actually agree with you. People who can’t respect and care for the neighborhood they drive through shouldn’t be allowed to come through. Why are they allowed to come in, dump on our neighborhoods, cause chaos and fear, damage our property and then go back to their own neighborhood? People are going to hate my comment, but I don’t care. Summer has always been a terrible time for Alki residents and the rest of us here in Admiral as the loud cars cause a ruckus in our area. We need to try something different to keep these losers out.
Truly can’t understand why city council and Mayor Bruce Harrell have done little /nothing to help with all the issues in this area and many areas throughout city. As longtime area resident it has definitely been the worst summer our family has seen in 75+yrs. Speed bumps, road diets, street closures and everything city council, mayor and SDOT have implemented over last couple years have made little impact to real issues this area and city have today. Spent a few hours walking beach Sunday evening and saw lots of illegal activities and zero police. Noise from the new pop up music scene is Unacceptable. Seattle needs new government that will enforce current laws, regulations and prosecute.
Councilman Saka is two months shy of the midpoint in his term, and what has he achieved since his election? He got SDOT to install speed bumps along Alki. Mission accomplished, councilman. But West Seattle’s crown jewel still needs your help. To understand the problem, drive over here any weekend night between 10 pm and 3 am.
I have lived here for 12 months. In that time I have witnessed racing, burnouts in front of my complex with smoke so thick it blocks all views from our windows, music so loud for 4-5 hours on end it shakes the windows, fights, illegal drinking, multitude of illegal fireworks, gunshots seemingly weekly now, and a host of other antisocial behavior. Half the time, the repeat offenders all have cute little stickers on the back of their cars and park in police and fire dept only lanes. Parks and rec will see them drinking and blasting music and drive right by. SPD won’t drive down Alki Ave at all after 9pm. This place needs a serious recapture. I will be attending the next community council meeting as well and inquiring why we were told there would be two officers at all times, when they can’t even bother to drive down harbor and Alki and ENFORCE ANYTHING on weekend nights.
Ok then. What rules are ok to ignore? Beer on the beach? Dogs? Loud music? Smoking pot? It’s not ok to only enforce some rules.
I have heard this car the past two nights. Screeching and racing. Is anyone calling it in? I feel like it’s a lost cause but if they armed and firing at people walking around-we’ve seen this before and people die. I know SPD has limited staffing but we need to make our neighborhood a priority on the city’s radar.
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