Police action on Alki: Report of someone “brandishing weapon”

We happened to be barely a block away when the police cars passed us, lights flashing, motors gunning. They’re on 63rd just south of Alki, right behind Cactus. Not sure yet what’s up – Patrick is out of the car and checking, we’re about a block west. Will update as soon as we have news. UPDATE: Here’s what’s happening – police responded to a report of someone “brandishing a weapon.” No one’s been hurt, no report of shots fired, but somebody said they saw someone with a gun, so the police rushed here fast. They’re still searching.

7:38 PM UPDATE: The police have all cleared the 63rd/Alki scene. We’re heading north/east on Alki Ave now and haven’t seen where they moved on to (or maybe they just dispersed).

SATURDAY MORNING NOTE: In comments, “Arborheightsdad” says the person who “brandished” (showed, according to his story and what we also had heard unofficially) the gun was found. We don’t have information so far regarding what if any charges that person will face but will be checking. ***Minutes later – police have published a full report at SPDBlotter; we’ll publish a separate update atop the page.

Alki Resident June 5, 2009 (7:29 pm)

Good job SPD!!

alki_2008 June 5, 2009 (7:29 pm)

Great. Will be nice to hear the outcome of this, or if there’s a description of the “suspect” (clothing, vehicle, etc).

alki_2008 June 5, 2009 (7:30 pm)

For clarification…my “Great” was meant to be sarcastic. I don’t really think it’s great that someone is brandishing a weapon over there, although it is great that the SPD is making it known that such activities won’t be tolerated. :)

marco June 5, 2009 (7:36 pm)

One of my colleagues carries a weapon openly (luckily for me, not at work), but apparently that is legal in the state of WA.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_carry

alki_2008 June 5, 2009 (7:49 pm)

Marco, thanks for the info. I knew about licenses to carry concealed weapons, but didn’t think open carry was allowed here.
.
However, maybe there’s a difference between “carrying” a weapon and “brandishing” a weapon? Of course, when a citizen calls something in – then the police should respond anyway, as they’re the ‘experts’ at determining what really is a crime or not.

cjboffoli June 5, 2009 (8:09 pm)

I was on an Argosy tour several weeks ago (have been wanting to do one forever) and the person conducting the tour (a UofW student who by the sound of it had never been to West Seattle) pointed out Alki and told all of the tourists that West Seattle had a beautiful beach that was fun during the day but they should avoid it at night because it is over-run with gangs and was very dangerous. My companion and I burst out laughing at the absurdity of that blanket statement. But seeing as how I can’t recall a week without some gun play down there I’m beginning to think the guide’s uninformed opinion isn’t so far off the mark.

KateMcA June 5, 2009 (8:19 pm)

Ugh, not again…

Mike June 5, 2009 (11:35 pm)

I’ve noticed a very big increase in SPD and Port of Seattle police down along Alki. I like it! I still want to see mounted police down there during the heavily populated times.

sw June 6, 2009 (1:41 am)

I think the Argosy conductor is giving a false representation. We have had a few bad incidents down here but considering the volume of people, a beach, the only beach in Seattle really, that one can “cruise” Not that I like the beefed up cars with the blown out twitters, random shootings and high speed police chases but …I know that a lot of tourists from the cruise ships take the water taxi to check out Alki, and bad reputation is lost revenue, would hate to see that.

Mike Stollenwerk June 6, 2009 (5:46 am)

Only 6 states ban open carry. Washington is like most states – no need for any permit to open carry. For more info go to Opencarry.org. See also recent Washington news item on open carry picnics in city parks to protest illegal city gun bans at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_WTh4CFuzg

arborheightsdad June 6, 2009 (8:02 am)

Well you people don’t know anything. My son was down at alki last night for a birthday party and they saw a beached seal that was barely alive. A guy came down with his girlfriend and “were being bitches” and messing around with the seal. About 7-9 of his friends went to talk to the guy. The guy started calling them the “n” word but his friends were just telling him to leave the seal alone, then the guy pulled up his shirt to show a gun.

Mike June 6, 2009 (8:13 am)

arborheightsdad, I hope your son reported the beached seal and the guy that threatened him with a gun (just pulling up a shirt to show it is a threat to kill). Touching the seal is a violation of federal law as well, if this has been reported and the guy with the gun that messed with the seal is / has been caught, he’ll serve time in jail and have a heavy fine to pay.

arborheightsdad June 6, 2009 (9:09 am)

Mike,

Thanks for the comment. While I sympathize with the seal my main concern is some 30-year-old moron brandishing a gun to my 14-year-old son and his friends. Thank God they did the right thing by walking away from the situation and calling 911. They did catch the guy so we’ll see what happens now.

MargL June 6, 2009 (11:16 am)

The seal harassment is an interesting twist to the story. I wonder if that detail was put into the SPD report, or would result in a charge. It’d be worth a call to NOAA to report the seal harassment as a separate issue.
It’d be sad if all he gets a slap on the wrist and a “don’t do it again”.
NOAA hotline 1-800-853-1964.
Here’s a reminder to folks who see beached seals in West Seattle – the WS Seal Sitters number is 206-905-7325.

“Under the MMPA and its corresponding regulations, it is illegal to harass or feed marine mammals in the wild. Violations of the MMPA can result in civil penalties of up to $12,000 and criminal fines of up to $20,000 and jail time.”

student June 6, 2009 (4:43 pm)

good job arborheightsdad everthing said in that comment is competley true! i was there and there was a beached seal nearly dead. but still us 13 to 14 year olds r smart enough not to touch it. but i also think that the man harassing us should have enough commen sense not to be “wasted” down on the beach. this man had also be using alot of derogatory comments like calling my african american friends the “n” word several times.

Sorry, comment time is over.