WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Assault on the street

| Crime | West Seattle news

Reader report from an incident around 2:30 pm:

Just got assaulted in front of CVS by two teenagers. Cops were called by multiple witnesses. They were repeatedly yelling the n word at 3 of us, and then the woman hit one of us in the back of the head as we tried to walk away. A witness followed them to the nursery, where they swapped clothes and then ran through the alley off Brandon.

They say police did not respond “despite multiple 911 calls” but the assault victim is filing a report.

ADDED: The report number is 26-160207.

West Seattleite June 5, 2026 (4:13 pm)

Genuinely curious what the entirety of the south precinct is doing so that not one officer can respond to an assault in progress call like this? Seems the police only show up for shootings and even then, often too late to catch the perpetrator.

WSB June 5, 2026 (5:15 pm)

Reply

We are in the SW Precinct, not the South. And no, they don’t “only show up for shootings.” If you follow an entire day’s dispatches, domestic violence tends to be high on the list, also people in crisis (including those reported to be suicidal, possibly in possession of a weapon, which requires extra backup); shoplifting is fairly frequent, traffic hazards and collisions; right this moment there’s a dog bite near Admiral Starbucks … I was away from the desk for a short time when this came in via text, and not everything is dispatched over the air, so I can’t even guess why there wouldn’t have been a response. Sometimes it’s even in the way a crime is reported – a burglary in which the burglar(s) are reported to be long gone is a lower priority than “a burglary happening right now” …

Kristina June 5, 2026 (4:27 pm)

That’s near my home and I’m horrified that that happened to you. The assault is horrifying, the racial slur is horrifying, and I’m really sad that the police didn’t come. It sounds like some neighbors stood up with you and tried to help and I’m glad for that.

Derek June 5, 2026 (4:37 pm)

If they assaulted while yelling slurs, is that not a textbook hate crime?

WSRob June 5, 2026 (4:44 pm)

I’m heading that way. I hope I find them before the police.

Huh? June 5, 2026 (5:18 pm)

Assaulted by teenagers, but a woman hit her in the back?

Marcus June 5, 2026 (5:49 pm)

What this is telling me is that we are severely understaffed at SPD. Why is there not cry’s from Seattle citizens to up the police presence. Very easy to criticize the SPD for actions not taken yet the average Seattle resident has no clue how busy they are. Remember Seattle turned its back on the SPD through electing council members and majors over the last decade or so. This is what we get! Cannot deem the SPD as bad guys or not needed and then suddenly realize how stupid that was and then criticize them for not being just around the corner when needed.

K.S. June 5, 2026 (6:00 pm)

Reply

BINGO! Miss the old days on Alki when police vans and cars where ALWAYS present. And you would get pulled over for speeding. Always felt safe.
22blades June 5, 2026 (6:35 pm)

Reply

Marcus, I disagree with your prioritization. It may have been chance that this assault didn’t end worse. I think even the SPD would disagree with your take on assaults & their priority. If something fell through the cracks, it needs fixing. Don’t make this into a political diatribe. Our fellow neighbors were assaulted. They deserve protection & justice.I have called in assaults. The SPD reacted in truly stunning speed.
bill June 5, 2026 (6:52 pm)

Reply

SPD earned its bad reputation over the years for tolerating bad cops and good riddance to the ones who quit because we don’t tolerate licensed thuggery anymore. I hope the large number of open positions indicates the city is not hiring people who want to power trip with a badge and a gun.
Lauren June 5, 2026 (7:46 pm)

Reply

That is one reading of the situation. Another is that cops aren’t actually a proactive/preventative crime response. They’re reactive. They don’t prevent crime. Many studies show this (recommend “The End of Policing if anyone’s genuinely curious to learn more).

Alki resident June 5, 2026 (6:15 pm)

With FIFA coming, good luck getting police to respond to anything at all. I hope someone followed those kids in their car to see where they ended up.

B June 5, 2026 (9:22 pm)

Police departments in major cities across the country are understaffed. In my opinion, not nearly enough people are drawn to the occupation anymore, probably because police officers in general were demonized following the George Floyd murder. The baby went out with the bathwater.