West Seattle, Washington
21 Thursday
(WSB photos)
What a day for a field trip! More than 30 students from Pathfinder K-8 spent the morning at and near Longfellow Creek, starting from Dragonfly Pavilion in North Delridge.. They were split into groups for a variety of outdoor-learning activities, led by environmental educators from DNDA, and while the Salmon Bone Bridge (above) is the most scenic, that’s not where the major excitement was:
Another bridge a short distance south was set up with a sort of slide into which Pathfinder students released some of the coho they’ve been raising as part of the Salmon in the Schools program. That’s long been focused on Fauntleroy Creek, but as we’ve reported previously, culvert work starts this year so some of the release activities are moaving to Longfellow Creek instead. The release terrain isn’t conducive to getting close to the creek, so it’s down the chute with the fish:
At other stations along the creek, the students learned today about how to making the water safer for salmon – hearing about pollutants like tire dust and fertilizers. DNDA’s environmental-education coordinator Mikaela Ebbeson tells WSB this was the third of four field trips as part of their pilot program. partnering with Salmon in the Schools and Seattle Public Utilities.
Starting Monday, Seattle Public Schools will implement a new cell-phone policy for students. According to the announcement sent tonight, it boils down to:
Grade Span-Specific Rules
“Off and Away for the Day” Rule in Grades K–8: Phones are off and stored away for the full school day, with no access during instruction, passing periods, or lunch.
“No Cell Bell to Bell” Rule in Grades 9–12: Phones are off and away during all instructional time. Students may have limited access during lunch and passing periods, supporting responsible device use and digital citizenship while keeping phones out of the classroom.
Exceptions: Students who require access to personal devices for medical needs or as part of a documented IEP or Section 504 accommodation will continue to be supported.
The announcement notes some schools already have strict phone policies; Chief Sealth International High School launched one in 2023.
Washington State Ferries has been saying it expected the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run to return to three-boat service in “late April.” It’s missing that by just a couple days; WSF announced today that full service will resume on the route this Saturday, May 2.
That’s a screenshot from the charging documents we just received from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which announced that the suspect in Saturday’s Gatewood kidnap attempt, 22-year-old Cristien X. Bugge-Marcum, is now charged:
This afternoon, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged a 22-year-old Seattle man with Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree following a West Seattle incident. The defendant remains in jail on the $750,000 bail set by a judge.
The defendant’s next court date is his arraignment, where an initial plea is entered. That’s scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 4, in courtroom 1201 of the King County Courthouse. Defendants are innocent until proven guilty in court.
We’ll add narrative from the charging document shortly.
4:09 PM: Here’s the narrative, with redactions. It says Bugge-Marcum is originally from Sequim-Port Angeles, with a recent address in Northgate, but was in Gatewood last weekend staying with friends close to where this happened:
The juvenile victim is identified as (victim). The juvenile witness is identified as (witness). The following information is from the victim, witnesses, and from Cristien X. Bugge-Marcum.
On 4/25/2026 at approximately 1359 hours, officers were dispatched to (xxx) SW Othello St to investigate a report of an attempted kidnapping. The call notes read as follows:
“GROUP OF NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN PLAYING IN RP’S YARD, AND 8 YO FEMALE JUST TOLD RP A MALE SUSP TRIED TO GRAB HER ARM AND TAKE HER. SUSP LOCATION UNKNOWN.” (Third person) is the owner of the (XXX) SW Othello St residential home. He called 9-1-1. (Fourth person) lives at (another address on) SW Othello st. Her daughter is (friend, who) was at the neighbor’s house playing with other neighborhood kids. At 1343 hours, (xx) told (XX) to return home for lunch.She got this precise time by checking her doorbell camera which captured when she exited her front door. After going back into her home, she heard her dogs barking at someone walking eastbound past her house and on the south sidewalk. She looked outside and observed a white male carrying a skateboard walking past her house.
(Fifth person) lives at (XXX) SW Othello Way which is three houses east of the scene. (He) showed officers his surveillance footage. In the video, dogs are heard barking at 1:47:02 PM, a shrill scream is heard at 1:47:08 PM, a noise similar to skateboard wheels on a hard surface is heard at 1:47:29 PM, an object crashing on the ground is heard at 1:47:34 PM, a voice is heard yelling something unintelligible at 1:47:39 PM, a male enters the frame on the camera at 1:47:42 PM and is walking eastbound on the south sidewalk. The unknown male continued walking eastbound down the sidewalk and out of frame. In the footage, the only person observed was a white male with short hair wearing a white t-shirt, dark colored backpack, a skateboard in his left hand, black and white shoes, jean shorts that either sagged down near his ankles or were just long jean shorts.
(Victim) is eight years old and lives at (XXX) 36th Ave SW. On 4/25/26 she was playing with friends outside of (XXX) SW Othello st. At one point, she was outside alone and seated on a tree stump. The tree stump is about 35-40 feet away from the sidewalk and near the front of the house. She was looking into the open door of the home while waiting for her friend … to finish playing a game inside and join her outside.
During (victim)’s Child Forensic Interview (CFI) on 4/28/26, she stated the following:
While she was outside, a “guy” walked by with a skateboard and a backpack. She believed he was
wearing a black sweatshirt, but she thought nothing of it. She stated that 5 minutes later, that same
person grabbed her arm and tried to drag her away. (victim) stated that she screamed. When (Friend) came
to door after she heard her scream, the suspect ran behind the house and ran away.(victim) stated that she could not see the suspect’s hair and could not see if it was a male or a female but saw their blue/green eyes.
(victim) said that she could feel the suspect squeezing her arm and felt pressure. She saw the suspect’s skateboard and backpack on the ground when he was trying to drag her away. The suspect did not saying anything to her.
(victim) stated she was so scared her teeth were chattering and thought that she could have been killed. (friend) is 9-years old. (She) was inside the home when she heard (victim) scream. She looked outside and observed the unknown male pulling (victim) away. She described the male pulling (victim) with one hand while holding a knife in his other hand. (Friend) went inside and told another child what was happening who then relayed to an adult what was happening. When (friend) went back outside the unknown male was no longer in front of the home. She observed (victim) crying near the house.
Friend demonstrated the male pulling (victim) about 5-6 feet and away from the home.
On (Sunday) at approximately 1249 hours Bugge-Marcum was observed in the area of 36 Ave SW/SW Orchard St by officers. He matched the description of the surveillance footage seen by officers. Bugge-Marcum was contacted and taken into custody. He was transported to SPD Headquarters.
Bugge-Marcum was read his Miranda Rights and stated in a recorded interview that he has been living at the accessory dwelling unit at (XXX) SW Othello St for approximately one week with his friends … who he is in a “situationship” with. He is originally from Sequim/Port Angeles area.
Bugge-Marcum stated that on 4/25/26 he slept in and stayed …’s residence until approximately 1300 hours. He left to assist his mother with groceries and arrived at his parent’s house at approximately 1400 hours. He went shopping in Northgate at approximately 1600 hours. He returned to his parents’ house at approximately 1700 hours. He took a nap and left his parents’ house at approximately 2000 hours. He stated that he did not return to West Seattle until 0100
hours on 4/26/26.Bugge-Marcum stated that on 4/25/26 he was wearing jorts, a green zip up or a white Adidas zip up, a white t-shirt, and black and white sneakers, he was carrying a blue backpack and his skateboard. He had his cell phone on him and stated it was an android. Bugge-Marcum stated that the people in the neighborhood are uptight. He said he got in trouble
for smoking in the neighborhood and as a result, he walks eastbound on Othello St from …’s residence and then northbound on 36th Ave SW to the water towers to smoke. He thinks the neighbors might have pinned whatever happened on him.Bugge-Marcum provided an outline of his route on 4/25/26. He walked eastbound from ….’s to 36th Ave SW, then southbound to SW Webster St, then northbound on 35th Ave SW to the bus stop on the east side of 35th Ave SW. He stated that he did not see a single person when he was walking on SW Othello St. He said he went straight to the bus stop.
Bugge-Marcum denied touching anyone and said nothing out of the ordinary happened.
The updated police report included with the charging document says his “last known address” is in the Northgate area. The charging papers also confirm what we had noted in research, that he “no known WA criminal history.”
1:52 PM: Police have told dispatch that Delridge is currently blocked both ways at Henderson by the response for what was reported as a driver/scooter rider collision. The rider, described as in his mid-60s, was injured. No other details but avoid the area for a while.
2:01 PM: Short-lived closure – officers say Delridge is now open again both ways. We’ll check with SFD on the rider’s condition.
3:27 PM: SFD tells us the 64-year-old rider was taken to the hospital by AMR ambulance, in stable condition.
PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WEST SEATTLE BLOG
Chief Sealth International High School senior baseball players Carmelo Dictado (manager), Mason Filitaula, Graham Hull, Sam Popelka, Nevin Pivar, and Julian Reinhardt (shown above) were celebrated at the Seahawks’ last regular-season home game Tuesday. But that wasn’t the team and supporters’ only reason to celebrate the game vs. Seattle Christian at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
That’s the game-end jubilation after a walk-off win, 4-3 photojournalist Oliver Hamlin reports:
Chief Sealth won, 4-3. CSHS put up three runs in the second inning and held Seattle Christian scoreless until the 6th inning. Seattle Christian tied it up in the 6th before walking it off in the bottom of the 7th.
Nolan VanBuskirk (above) led off the 7th inning with a triple.
Seattle Christian intentionally walked the next two batters before unintentionally walking Oliver Clark (above with Coach Ernest Policarpio) for the walk-off.
Sam Popelka (above) pitched six innings, giving up three runs while striking out 10.
More photos from the game:
(Jaxton Daily gets a hit in the first inning)
(Bodhi Smith gets a hit in the second inning)
(Graham Hull slides into third base)
(Nevin Pivar gets a hit in the third inning)
(Julian Reinhardt throws to first base)
ADDED 3:37 PM: The Seahawks are 12-9, second in their division. Playoffs start next week.
Work on the trestle of the Fauntleroy ferry dock was scheduled for just this week, but Washington State Ferries sent word today that it’ll go through next week:
Thanks for your patience as we carry out the repair work on the transfer span at the Fauntleroy ferry terminal. The repair work is going well, but it is expected to take a bit longer. Crews expect to wrap up on Friday, May 8. Work hours remain the same.
WSF says the work does not require a barge or crane.
A West Seattle woman’s grandson has been sentenced to prison for stealing half a million dollars from her. According to court documents, the thefts happened at multiple times and in multiple ways between 2020 and 2022. The convicted thief, 33-year-old Forrest W. Strong of Gold Bar, is the only grandson of the 90-year-old victim, an Alki resident. Here’s what the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced today about the case:
Forrest Strong has been sentenced for stealing $500,000+ from his grandmother. This followed a jury trial that ended in March of this year, in which he was convicted of 1 count of Theft 1 and 5 counts of Theft 2 (all counts with a Major Economic Offense aggravator).
Strong was charged with theft by deception, a unique and difficult charge to prove at trial. The victim’s dementia had progressed such that she was unable to testify, so we were left with statements she had made to her son about her finances, as well as her check registry and text messages between herself and the defendant for a few months of the charging period to establish what her intent had been as to her finances. The jury found that Strong deceived his grandmother both as to his need for money (he often had more in the bank than she did) and as to the uses of the money he was asking her for (he said he needed gas money or a car part but he really used it on other things).
Given that he had no previous criminal history, under the sentencing ranges set by state lawmakers, Strong faced facing 14-18 months on the underlying charges, as well as additional time on the aggravators. King County Prosecutors asked for the high end of 18 months, plus an additional 12 months on the aggravators for a total of 30 months, and the court sentenced him to 24 months.
According to court documents, Superior Court Judge Samuel Chung presided at Strong’s sentencing.
(SPD photo, November 2022)
Three and a half years after a deadly shooting at a house on Puget Ridge (here’s our report from the night it happened), investigators say they’ve solved it. Here’s the announcement we received this morning from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:
Two men who traveled to Seattle from Texas to rob a marijuana dealer in November 2022, were indicted this week by the federal grand jury for additional federal felonies connected to the robbery and fatal shooting in West Seattle, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd.
Carlton Pierre Mitchell, 30, and Aaron Thompson, 42, will be arraigned on the superseding indictment on May 7, 2026. The men are charged with conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and crime of violence.
A third defendant, Samuel Solomon, was charged by Superseding Information with conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. Solomon pleaded guilty to these crimes on April 27, 2026, and faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison when sentenced.
According to records filed in the case, on November 2, 2022, Mitchell, Thompson, and Solomon, flew into Portland, Oregon, with a plan to rob the victim who had previously sold Solomon and Mitchell marijuana. The men rented cars and drove up to West Seattle where Mitchell had arranged for an Airbnb rental. At the Airbnb, all three men were armed with handguns. Thompson hid in one of the bedrooms so that the victim would not know he was there.
During the marijuana deal, Thompson came out of the bedroom with a firearm and told the victim not to move. Shots were fired and the victim was fatally injured. Solomon fled the house and caught a flight home. Mitchell and Thompson took the victim’s marijuana, fled the house, and drove home.
Seattle Police responded to 911 calls about the gunshots and found the victim lying injured and alone inside the Airbnb. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Solomon, Thompson, and Mitchell were originally indicted on March 12, 2025. Solomon and Thompson were arrested in March 2025. Mitchell made his initial appearance on the original indictment in September 2025.
Conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute and conspiracy to commit robbery are both punishable by up to five years in prison. Robbery is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Because the firearm was discharged, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking or a crime of violence is punishable by a mandatory minimum ten years in prison and up to life in prison.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department and the FBI, with valuable assistance provided by the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory.
We’re following up on the suspects’ status as well as any other charges pending in the case
Thanks to Howard for the tip! Seattle firefighters are back today at soon-to-be-demolished residential buildings on Fauntleroy Way SW south of The Triangle – that’s Highland Park-based Engine 11 out front as of a short time ago.
Firefighters are training – particularly in techniques such as ventilation; we heard chainsaw roaring just as we walked up for a quick pic. We’re awaiting official info from SFD but from past coverage, we’re aware of this program through which you can offer a structure for practice like this before it’s torn down.
P.S. We wrote about redevelopment plans for this site a year and a half ago.
(Photo by Bob Burns, sunny afternoon on Alki last week)
Here’s our Wednesday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – which you can preview any time – here’s what’s happening today/tonight:
REMINDER – WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks start from 47th/Fontanelle (so if you didn’t see this in the calendar and missed it here’s your reminder for next week).
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor).
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: 2-4 pm, join players at Missing Piece (4707 California SW).
DINE OUT FOR GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY: 3-9 pm at The Neighborhood (6503 California SW), the school benefits from part of tonight’s proceeds during the restaurant’s monthly fundraiser night (rotating beneficiaries).
LOOKING FOR WORK? “Create Video Resumes that Get You Hired,” 4 pm teens/young adults event at Southwest Library (9010 California SW)
ART WITH REC’N THE STREETS: 3-4:30 pm, free art activities at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Here’s what’s on the Metro League schedule today: Two boys-soccer matches. At 4 pm – West Seattle HS senior night at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle) vs. Nathan Hale; at 5 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), Chief Sealth IHS vs. Roosevelt.
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
ROCK BAND GAMING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5-10 pm, weekly gaming event in South Delridge! (9444 Delridge Way SW)
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: The free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm workshop is back at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center), and the library is open for borrowing.
OPEN STUDIO AT POTTERINGS: Bring your own project or get inspiration at the studio, 6-8 pm, details in our calendar listing. (3400 Harbor SW)
PAINT & SIP AT NEPENTHE: 6 pm, themed “Crazy for Crows.” (9447 35th SW)
HOW TO GET RAINWISE: 6 pm free webinar – our calendar listing has attendance links as well as quick ways to find out if you’re eligible for the program.
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Discuss our city’s growth, present and future, at the weekly 6 pm meetup at Great American Diner/Bar (4752 California SW).
CRIBBAGE AT WEST SEATTLE EAGLES: 6 pm, all welcome to play, membership not required. (4426 California SW)
KUNDALINI YOGA: Do it at 6 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska). $35.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Midweek movement – join the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight – all welcome, all paces!
HUM-IN PROTEST: Protesting via sound vibration, 6:30-7 pm Wednesdays at Junction Plaza Park (42nd SW and SW Alaska).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
MAD CRAFTY: Bring your project to Revelry Room (4547 California SW), 7-9 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 4: Four West Seattle trivia venues – 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), free to play, cash prizes … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … And trivia starts at 8:30 pm at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: It’s your stage at West Seattle’s longest-running open-mic night! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SWING IT! Swing dancing and live music at 8:15 pm at South Park Hall (1253 S. Cloverdale).
KARAOKE AT ADMIRAL PUB: Sing at the pub starting at 8:45 pm, after trivia. (2306 California SW)
Planning something that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Richard Reed’s winning art for this year’s WSGT)
In addition to celebrating local garden and gardeners, the West Seattle Garden Tour raises money to help local organizations grow. But to get it, you have to apply for it, and next year’s applications are being accepted right now – here’s the announcement sent to us to share with you:
Each year, the West Seattle Garden Tour, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides grants to other nonprofit organizations for projects that fit our mission — to promote horticulture, education and artistic endeavors within West Seattle and neighboring communities. The 2027 grant cycle is now open. Nonprofit organizations with eligible projects are invited to apply.
Our 2027 grant application form and guidelines are now available at https://www.westseattlegardentour.org/grants. Completed applications are due by midnight July 15, 2026. Grant requests are usually in the $2,000 to $6,000 range with some requests higher or lower.
Accepted projects would receive funds in March 2027.
ABOUT WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR: Since its inception in 1995, West Seattle Garden Tour has been one of the premier garden tours in the Northwest, as well as a fundraiser for local nonprofits. The West Seattle Garden Tour donates approximately $50,000 each year to local grantees in support of their horticultural, educational and artistic missions. Over $600,000 in grants has been awarded since our inception.
The 2026 garden tour is on Sunday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are now available for sale online and will also be sold in select retail outlets beginning in early May. More information can be found at westseattlegardentour.org.
8:35 AM: 2-vehicle collision reported southbound at 16th/Barton.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Sunny, high in the mid-60s. Sunrise was at 5:55 am; sunset will be at 8:19 pm.
(Tuesday morning photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedules.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Now on “summer” schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedules Fridays and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route still on a two-boat schedule with a third, unscheduled boat, but was canceling some very early-am sailings today, so check WSF’s alert page for updates. That’s also where you’ll find a summary of fare changes starting Friday (May 1). And note work at the Fauntleroy dock this week could affect ferry users.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge (25 mph speed limit):
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
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