WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Exchange of gunfire reported in High Point

| Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

After 911 callers reported hearing up to 15 gunshots in High Point, responding officers found a group of people who told them someone shot at them and they shot back. This happened less than half an hour ago around 32nd and Myrtle. Police told dispatch they’ve found some casings in a field (at Walt Hundley), but no injuries and no damage; they checked out a gun that records show as legally owned by one person in the group. The only description of the alleged instigators is that they were in a dark-colored vehicle.

1994 July 17, 2026 (11:18 pm)

So sad with the gun violence, just another nice evening in Seattle.

JB July 18, 2026 (3:22 am)

How many gunfights in High Point do we need for the police to crack down on what is obviously a gang-ridden part of West Seattle? Maybe the bullet that pierced my house three weeks ago (and barely missed my head while I was sleeping) wasn’t enough to generate any interest by the Seattle PD, but when is enough enough? This has been going on for more than a decade, and it’s extremely traumatic – just ask my therapist.

Shadowtripper July 18, 2026 (11:08 am)

Cameras in areas noted as high crime areas would assist police in tracking down and prosecuting these criminals.

long time resident July 18, 2026 (9:59 am)

High Point has literally been “the projects” ever since WW2 ended. In 1952 the federal government handed High Point over to Seattle Housing Authority, allowing them to officially repurpose the existing military/contractor barracks to house “racially diverse low-income families.” It was mostly fine. For a while. Then things got pretty wild in the 80’s–90’s with gang and criminal activity.

Much like today, High Point was often overlooked and community leaders rarely and meaningfully intervened. Unless things get too out of hand. As an example of meaningful course-correction, in 2004, SHA decided to tear down ALL barracks-style housing in High Point and rebuild the community into what you see today. Some existing residents of the barracks-style housing were able to relocate within High Point to newly built rental homes. Online data suggests High Point consists of 854 market-rate dwellings with 675 low-income rentals.

So, the brutal truth here: it may look new and mostly okay-ish from the outside. But on the inside, systemic challenges remain. While the complete rebuild in 2004 somewhat successfully drove down the extreme crime rates, it remains a lower-income urban pocket that still fights against decades of stigma and localized activity.

WSDUDEMAN July 19, 2026 (6:26 pm)

Ah yes…the ol’ systemic challenges of fighting against stigma….or perhaps parents could parent and make sure their kids or ‘adult’ children don’t engage in gun fights?!?

Rob July 18, 2026 (12:20 pm)

Cameras sure might help!

32nd and Myrtle neighbor July 18, 2026 (6:23 pm)

As a neighbor near the park, I agree that cameras could be helpful in the park since gunfire is a regular occurrence. I heard the shots last night and called 911 but did not want to go outside to look because of fear for my safety.

Hello2Mayor July 19, 2026 (1:14 am)

Seems like people do want cameras to help us with the crime problems that we’re having…. is the Mayor listening? Maybe this should go up for a vote by the citizens and not be decided by a few people who are probably never experiencing guns and the violence that others are.

Neighbor July 20, 2026 (6:13 am)

What I find it hard to understand is how the police have so much trouble tracking these people down. There are Ring cameras all over the place and eye witnesses.I’ve reported things to the police many times.

Shadowtripper July 21, 2026 (8:37 am)

Using residential ring cameras does not work for tracking. They are used for on site activity when the home owner or business shares the images. City cameras are overviews of public areas, like streets, sidewalks, parks and industrial areas. Those cameras are available to law enforcement 24/7 monitoring system. It’s like having a police presence 24/7 and allowing a physical police response to take place as a crime is being committed.

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