UPDATE: Man shot at South Delridge encampment

(Added: Photo by Tim Durkan)

10:54 AM: Police are arriving in an alley in the 9200 block of 17th SW [map] for a report that a person has been shot. Updates to come.

10:56 AM: Officers have told dispatch that they’ve found the victim, a man in his 30s who has a gunshot wound “to his back.” One witness told them it happened in a tent in the alley between 17th and 18th.

11 AM: SFD has sent a “scenes of violence” response as is standard when an incident is reported to have involved a weapon. Police are bringing in a K9 team and they’re setting up “containment” for blocks around.

11:05 AM: The only descriptioh details so far is male, Black, “light-skinned,” short “balding” hair, black T-shirt that might have a Nike swoosh, dark blue shirt or jacket over it, blue jeans, last seen on foot eastbound from the scene. Possibly in his teens. …

(Added: Photo first posted in a comment by MJJJr, SFD medics wheeling gurney with victim)

SFD medics are taking the victim to Harborview Medical Center.

11:39 AM: Police say a business at or near the White Center side of 15th/Roxbury saw the likely suspect walking by half an hour or so ago, wearing a dark pulled-up hoodie, headed east.

(Added: Photo first posted in a comment by Todd, officers with K9)

12:40 PM: No arrest yet, but police believe they know who they’re looking for, and they’re still searching. Neighbors, meantime, say the encampment, on a vacant lot, has long been a problem; our archives show the site had an abandoned house that was the scene of multiple fires in the mid-teens until demolition.

1:35 PM: SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells WSB that the victim, in his early 30s, was in critical condition when transported.

19 Replies to "UPDATE: Man shot at South Delridge encampment"

  • Neighbor April 28, 2026 (11:06 am)

    So many sirens. Hope everyone is ok

  • MJJJr April 28, 2026 (11:39 am)

    Shooting location

  • MJJJr April 28, 2026 (11:41 am)

    Shooting victim wheeled away by first responders

  • MT April 28, 2026 (12:00 pm)

    First, my thoughts are with the victim. I really hope they’re okay and able to recover from something like this. No one should have to go through that.At the same time, it’s been really frustrating for those of us living nearby. This encampment has been growing for months, and we’ve consistently reported concerns about arguments, altercations, suspected criminal activity, and frequent EMS responses. Despite all of that, there hasn’t been much visible action, even though the City is clearly aware of what’s happening.This is public land managed by Seattle Parks and Recreation, and it’s had similar issues in the past. It’s not just about neighbors feeling unsafe, it’s also about the people living in the encampment and the conditions they’re dealing with. The lack of a timely response or a clear plan doesn’t help anyone.It’s also hard not to think about the bigger picture. There’s been reporting that the King County Regional Homelessness Authority couldn’t account for around $13 million in public funds after an audit. Whatever the explanation ends up being, that kind of news makes it harder to feel confident that these situations are being handled the way they should be.The City really needs to step up and do better for everyone involved. 

    • WSB April 28, 2026 (12:08 pm)

      What is the official address of the parcel, do you know? Looking up its history.

      • Wp April 28, 2026 (12:13 pm)

        The encampment is at 9222 Delridge next to Ty’s Auto repair. Please report this an other encampment’s or abandoned RVs to the city and download the find it fix it app 

        • k April 28, 2026 (12:24 pm)

          I think it’s technically 9218 Delridge Way SW (or it’s both).  It was slated for development, then sold to the city a couple years later.  Been empty for some time.

          • WSB April 28, 2026 (12:32 pm)

            The version of Parcel Viewer that I use is currently misbehaving. Our archives show multiple fires at a 9222 Delridge house in the mid-’10s, including a deadly fire.

          • K April 28, 2026 (1:10 pm)

            WSB’s previous stories about the lot include developments that listed it at 9218 Delridge.  Not sure it’s just ambiguous or what.  Looking at the sale documents to the city for the parcel, the paperwork lists the address as 18th, but is associated with the 9218 Delridge property.  All of the complaints are at 9222.

          • CW April 28, 2026 (1:26 pm)

            The lot in question encompasses 3 property parcels: 9352900275 with address 9200 18th Ave SW, parcel 9352900270, and parcel 9352900265. The second and third parcel does not give a street address. 

      • Peter Parcel April 28, 2026 (1:13 pm)

        Looks like it’s 3 parcels all owned by the city:
        935290-0265
        935290-0270
        935290-0275

        The city paid 3.25 million for them in 2023!?!?!?

        • Tim April 28, 2026 (2:03 pm)

          I believe it isSeattle Housing Authority listed as the owner

  • Todd Bramy April 28, 2026 (12:08 pm)

    The alley West of 17th, looking North from Delridge. 

  • Todd Bramy April 28, 2026 (12:10 pm)

    Boots and paws on the ground near the corner of 18th Ave SW and SW Barton St.

  • K April 28, 2026 (1:12 pm)

    Highland Park has lifted their Shelter in Place.

  • WSB April 28, 2026 (1:49 pm)

    Thanks for all the research help. I finally found our coverage related to the purchase (I needed to get specifics to be able to ask the city if this site even has been on the Unified Care Team’s radar) including
    https://westseattleblog.com/2025/01/followup-south-delridge-park-still-years-away-even-after-county-to-city-grant/

  • Delridgeguy April 28, 2026 (1:57 pm)

    Terrible this happened.  I hope the city pays close attention to this one. It happened in broad daylight while two large daycares just a block away had kids in them……..There should be some very hard lines drawn that keep homeless encampments very far from anywhere kids are being cared for/educated. We see open drug use daily from the residents from this encampment in plain view of little kids every day.

    • Rhonda April 28, 2026 (2:12 pm)

      Delridgeguy, there’s children being cared for in EVERY residential block in the city by their parent(s) in their homes. So, yes, I agree that no encampments should be allowed anywhere near residences.

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