WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Standoff in west Admiral

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Added: WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)

5:45 PM: For those asking about the law-enforcement response near 48th/Waite [map], police are in a standoff with a man who they say has a state Corrections Department warrant out for his arrest, He is reported to have barricaded himself in an apartment. Police have called in negotiators; state corrections officers have responded too. What the warrant is for, we don’t know (yet). Avoid the area.

6:21 PM: No updates. They’ve gone to encrypted communication so there may not be any until it’s resolved.

7 PM: SPD has left, according to WSB senior contributor Christopher Boffoli, who went over to check out the scene; he says they told him it’s a DOC matter from here.

T.R. January 7, 2026 (5:47 pm)

My children and I live across the street. Any word of a weapon please post immediately.

WSB January 7, 2026 (6:20 pm)

Hi. At one early point it was said over the air that the man said he did not have guns but did have knife/knives.
- T.R. January 7, 2026 (6:36 pm)
  
  Thank you for the info. My neighbor tried to walk her dog and was told to stay inside earlier. Several police vehicles just left though. Hoping that is a good sign, maybe they were able to take the person into custody. I appreciate all your support!
Rhonda January 7, 2026 (7:10 pm)

When a suspect with a violent past barricades themselves, law enforcement always assumes that they have a firearm(s). Avoid the area until the all-clear order is announced.
- Jort January 8, 2026 (11:07 pm)
  
  We’re not all law enforcement, Rhonda – we’re not always afraid of everything being the worst it could possibly be all the time. Some of us do not want to view our world through fearful, paranoid eyes.