CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Here’s what preceded Saturday’s SWAT standoff, and where the case stands

| Crime | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, roadblock near standoff on Saturday night)

10:39 AM: The 42-year-old man arrested after a relatively short SWAT standoff in Morgan Junction last Saturday remains in jail this morning, and we’ve finally obtained more information on the case. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office provided the probable-cause document used at his bail hearing Monday, with this summary based on the police report:

On 5-9-2026 officers were dispatched to xxxx 41 Ave SW to investigate a male throwing things around inside of his residence with his 4-month-old inside. The male was going through severe mental crisis due to fentanyl withdrawals. The male was identified as (suspect, who) began screaming uncontrollably inside of the home and began rubbing lotion on his girlfriend’s head, which she did not want. This caused her discomfort. Police were called about (suspect) multiple times between the hours of 1500-1700. (He) was reportedly swinging a stick around and jumping on top of vehicles. (He) was not located at this time. (He) was also chasing neighbors in the neighborhood.

At about 1928 hrs., officers were called by the mobile crisis team, who were at (suspect’s) home, and were notified that (he) was still screaming inside of the home and kicked all of his family members out of the home and refused to let them enter. (He) was inside of the home with his 4-month-old baby and refused to allow anyone inside to assist in caring for the child. (XXX) also reported that (suspect) was on a new medication that was causing him to act irrational and unlike his normal self. (XXX) also reported that (suspect) was inside of the residence throwing furniture and other items around against the walls near his baby. (Suspect) began barricading the entry points to the home while screaming incoherently. Due to the safety of the child, this incident produced a large police response of over 25 officers, including the SWAT team. Entry was forced into the home by officers for the safety of the child(, who) was turned over to CPS.

At Monday’s hearing, prosecutors asked that bail be set at $100,000; the judge set it at $25,000. Today is the deadline for rush-filing charges; as of early this morning, police had not yet referred the case to the KCPAO for consideration of that. A King County Superior Court file search shows no felony history but he spent two days in jail last month for a non-felony DUI case on which he is awaiting trial.

8:24 PM: The jail roster notes indicate he was released this evening, apparently not rush-charged in the case. This doesn’t mean he’ll never be charged but it does mean he couldn’t be held any longer without charges.

WOW !!! May 13, 2026 (11:19 am)

Thank you to the people that called this in. Thanks for not ignoring things that go on. Also, SPD, thank you for a nice job and getting that child rescued. Goes to show the horrible world that some children live in. I’m glad that child is with CPS and I am hopeful. that child is fiercly protected from being in that man’s presence… whether on or off medication he’s a dangerous guy. WOW that child may not remember this event structurally but is likely to have an impact lifelong from enduring such a traumatic out of control situation. Sad…. scary.To the mom: get you and your children away from this guy permanently. I have domestic violence training at Harborview and you could end up dead from guys like him.

Foster Parent May 13, 2026 (2:17 pm)

The child will be placed with the mother if there is no reason to believe she is a safety threat. DCYF will work to keep the child in contact with the father, because state law requires that. They will offer the family services, but if there is no dependency case, those services are voluntary. Sorry to be the debbie downer, but the Parents’ Rights lobby has completely hijacked the conversation about child welfare, and now the legal threshold to separate children from a parent, even one who is clearly a danger to them, is incredibly high.

HTB May 13, 2026 (11:49 am)

Are there any legal experts here who can explain the rationale for dropping the bail amount from what the prosecutor asked for?

dwg May 13, 2026 (1:23 pm)

Because our judges don’t give a damn about the safety of our community. There’s no other explanation for giving this this clear and present danger an option to walk free for a mere $2,500.
- Just to Clarify May 13, 2026 (2:04 pm)
  
  * $25,000
- Joey C May 13, 2026 (2:31 pm)
  
  It’s 25,000 not 2,500..
  - Jim P. May 13, 2026 (8:38 pm)
    
    Usually ten per cent cash bail.Revolving door system for some people.
- wscommuter May 13, 2026 (3:23 pm)
  
  Really ignorant comment. I say that as a former prosecutor. The truth is that judges have to balance several factors in setting bail. I don’t know the facts of this case at all except what is published here on the WSB, so I have no basis for saying whether this particular judge made a good or bad decision on this particular case. And neither do you. Pretending that what you read on the WSB makes your opinion informed enough to condemn a judge (much less all judges) merely reveals that you don’t have a clue about what you’re talking about.
  - WSzombie May 13, 2026 (10:19 pm)
    
    I don’t think judges really need to consider very many factors when determining bail. I say that as a former crime victim. 1) Is this person a threat to the safety or well-being of others? (Fentanyl addict with custody/visitation of a four month old infant who threatens family and neighbors is, “hard yes” answer that question.)2) Will a higher bail help increase the likelihood the accused stays in jail rather than hurting the aforementioned people? (Also, hard yes.)See, not that hard. Let him sit and detox. Worst case, he might actually get the medical assistance in jail that he wasn’t getting at home.
    - k May 14, 2026 (8:00 am)
      
      That may be how you wish things were, but that’s not how the law works and the judge’s job is to follow the law. Bail isn’t intended to keep people who have not been convicted of a crime behind bars. Bail is a cash surety to make sure they come back to court. We don’t know the circumstances of the case, only what is posted here on WSB. It sounds like one of the victims said this isn’t how he normally is, which would be considered in determining his risk level. We don’t know, because we don’t have all the facts.
- dwg May 13, 2026 (3:49 pm)
  
  generally you can post 10% of bail amount, and have a bondsman cover the remaining 90%, no?
  - k May 13, 2026 (5:23 pm)
    
    Yes. People on these comment boards like to demonstrate their ignorance of the justice system when they post.
Curious to know May 13, 2026 (1:53 pm)

I would also like to know the rationale of such a low bail.
I can read May 13, 2026 (2:36 pm)

Not a legal professional but there here are some hints: “fentanyl withdrawal; new medication causing him to act irrational and unlike his normal self; no felony history.”
Maybe if we had a publically-funded non-jail treatment option he would have entered that, but parsimonious judgmental Puritanism runs deep in this country.
Frog May 13, 2026 (6:49 pm)

In this case, which seems to be driven by mental illness and substance abuse rather than criminality, jail does actually seem like the wrong place to keep him. Flight risk doesn’t seem high, given that he doesn’t sound like a highly functional individual. He should obviously be evaluated for possible supervision or psychiatric commitment if he is an onging danger to the community, but that’s not jail.

Anne May 13, 2026 (2:58 pm)

It would be nice to know the names of these Judges that drop bail like this. If we know their names & they run for re-election we can choose not to vote for them.

Resident May 13, 2026 (4:53 pm)

Just to be clear, it doesn’t sound like this judge lowered the bail (there is a process that allows a defendant to argue for their bail to be reduced after it has been set – but, it doesn’t sound like that is what this was). The judge declined to follow the prosecutor’s recommendation on bail. Our judicial system incorporates the principles of innocent until proven guilty and the right of the defendant to defend themselves (or have an attorney do it on their behalf). Pre trial, a person has not been found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This is where bail comes in. When a judge sets bail, they need to weigh several factors. Factors to set a higher bail is if the person is unlikely to appear at trial or upcoming hearings and their danger to the community. The prosecutor usually makes a recommendation with their reasoning and defense has an opportunity to argue against it and provide the reasoning. I was not at the this hearing so I can’t say or speculate why the judge declined to follow the prosecutor’s recommendation.

Julie May 13, 2026 (6:35 pm)

Thank you for helping the child ❤️❤️❤️

local May 13, 2026 (7:14 pm)

This is devastating and so sad. I’m glad the baby is safe.

Rich May 14, 2026 (10:07 am)

The bail amount doesn’t matter if the prosecutor fails to file charges. This perp is off scott-free to shoot-up and terrorize his family some more. Remember this when we next vote for prosecutor.

WSB May 14, 2026 (10:40 am)

The prosecutor did not “fail to file charges.” Police didn’t refer the case for rush-filing. The prosecutors can’t file charges without the info on evidence etc.