West Seattle, Washington
05 Thursday
6:58 PM: For those asking about the police search west of The Junction in the Ercolini Park area, they were looking for a missing child – an elementary-aged girl who was out playing with a friend; they went home separate ways and she hadn’t come home, but she has apparently just turned up at a friend’s house – police are working to verify this.
7:02 PM: They’ve just confirmed she’s there and OK.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
DUI EMPHASIS PATROL: SPD announced today that this special operation happened last night, with this summary:
At 1900 hours, three officers conducted a High Visibility Emphasis Patrol for DUI. They contacted 28 drivers, issued 23 citations, and conducted three DUI investigations.
The emphasis-patrol summary was linked to the Southwest Precinct – which covers West Seattle and South Park – so we asked for more details. So far, SPD spokesperson Det. Brian Pritchard could only find information about one case, “37th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street . Suspect driver: 21-year-old woman.” We’re asking the City Attorney’s Office if they can point us to info on the other 22 citations.
Also in Crime Watch, this reader report:
DUMPED-POSSIBLY-STOLEN BICYCLE: Recognize this bike? A texter sent the photo and report:
Dumped for weeks, likely stolen. Older bike. Near alley entrance, 99th and 37th in Arbor Heights.
When SPD announced back in December that one of Police Chief Shon Barnes‘s “Our City, Our Safety” regional meetings would be held in West Seattle on March 11, the location was announced as the Alki Bathhouse. In a reminder announcement sent around today, that has changed:
You are invited to influence the Seattle Police Department’s safety approach for your neighborhood during our third “Our City, Our Safety” conversation of 2026!
On March 11, 2026, please join Seattle Chief of Police Shon Barnes and leaders from SPD’s Southwest Precinct to have a frank conversation about safety. Please join us! Mark your calendar for 6:00-7:30 pm at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle St,) on March 11, 2026!
At Our City, Our Safety, you’ll be able voice your hopes and concerns about public safety in your neighborhood to help co-develop ways that we can do better – from upcoming community engagement programs to approaches to crime prevention.
The previous announcement has more details about how the meeting is supposed to work.
(WSB photos by Jason Grotelueschen)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
It’s easy for community meetings to get stuck on one particular issue or hotspot, if the facilitator(s) let them.
To avoid that last night at the quarterly Southwest Precinct Advisory Council community meeting, SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator Matthew Brown and SWPAC’s community lead Ella McRae stressed focusing on issues with “West Seattle-wide” or even citywide effects, and how the community can collaborate on solutions.
The two-dozen-plus people in attendance at the precinct took that mostly to heart. First, here’s our video of the meeting so you can see/hear it all for yourself:
In addition to the incident updates we reported late last night immediately after the meeting, SPD precinct leaders provided updates on ongoing areas of concern:
PLANNING FOR SUMMER SAFETY ON ALKI (AND ELSEWHERE): SW Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair said summer-safety planning is starting early this year, as it didn’t begin until May last year and it was agreed, that was too late. They’re working with “partner agencies” again this year – it “can’t be just (SPD)” tasked with safety. But so far, she said, she’s “impressed and encouraged by this group of people” and notes the results will be “measured and tracked” a lot more than last summer.
Unique this summer will be the FIFA World Cup games; Capt. Bair said some resources will definitely be “reallocated” from the precincts but “most officers” will remain. She’s expecting an influx of tourists to West Seattle and side effects such as possibly increased Water Taxi runs.
Speaking of staffing, an attendee asked her about it. SPD overall is still up 90+ officers after last year’s hiring outpaced departures; she said their recruiting is much more visible outside Seattle than it had been. Precinct staffing, she said, remains at the same level since she took over more than a year and a half ago.
CRIME TRENDS: SW Precinct Lt. Wes Collier took over for this update. He cited the same citywide stat as heard at community meetings since the start of the year, that crime dropped almost 20 percent overall. Though this area had no homicides last year, he said it’s noteworthy that citywide, 86 percent of all homicide cases were cleared last year, compared to about 50 percent for the preceding year. West Seattle violent crime is down 9 percent, property crimes down 20 percent, Collier said.
WESTWOOD VILLAGE: This remains a “property crime” hotspot in West Seattle. But police say they’ve been collaborating more closely with center security and that’s been leading to arrests like the ones mentioned here: “We’re trying to change the environment over there.” If you’ve noticed red signs in windows at WWV businesses, that’s part of a “trespass warning” program, and Lt. Collier said 90 percent of the businesses there have signed up. “We have a great relationship with the security guards over there,” he added. And they’ve been working with prosecutors to “be sure cases get the proper attention” and to provide them with the information needed to file charges.
WESTSIDE NEIGHBORS SHELTER: The shelter in The Triangle was a major topic of last fall’s SWPAC meeting (WSB coverage here). Lt. Collier said the shelter and police are continuing to collaborate to try to “deter some activity” – drug use, etc. – in the area, and that shelter management has made some changes too. SPD has an “emphasis car” there when possible, he added. Later in the meeting, Chris Mackay, who represents the West Seattle Junction Association (of which she is executive director), said the shelter remains a major concern for merchants who believe some of the street disorder continuing in The Junction is a spillover effect. Conrad Cipoletti, vice president of the Morgan Community Association, mentioned the trouble at bus stops; Lt. Collier noted they’re the purview of the King County Sheriff’s Office Transit Police, and encouraged online reporting of non-urgent situations (otherwise, 911 when something is happening now)
SECURITY CAMERAS: During the incident updates, Lt. Collier mentioned the Connect Seattle program through which residents and businesses can register their cameras. Charlotte Starck, the Alki Community Council president who represents ACC on SWPAC, asked for more details. Brown noted that this area has the most registered cameras so far. “We’re not reaching into your house, not looking at your stuff,” Capt. Bair emphasized – the program is voluntary, and when you register, you’re in a database so that if something happens nearby, police can more easily find out who might have had cameras that might have recorded something. Also, signing up does not obligate you to turn over your video. That led to a question about whether city-owned cameras are part of the program, and from there, the issue of whether city anti-crime cameras might be removed. That’s when newly elected City Attorney Erika Evans was announced as in attendance:
Evans noted that it’s up to the mayor to make that decision (as Mayor Katie Wilson had noted in her State of the City speech earlier in the day).
CRISIS RESPONSE: The meeting also heard from a Crisis Response Team officer, explaining where they differ from the CARE Team and Community Service Officers as well as social workers who respond to certain crisis calls too. A CSO explained that mental-health responses are not their specialty – helping access resources for people “who just might be having the worst day of their life” is.
ICE RESPONSE: Brown said that if you think you see ICE activity, don’t try to interrupt “because that’s a crime” but do “be a good witness” – with your camera if you can – and call 911 because SPD “can make sure everyone’s safe” by responding to the scene.
REPORTING CRIME AND SAFETY CONCERNS OVERALL: Here’s the list Brown put on the whiteboard in the precinct’s community room:
But if you’re not sure, Brown said, call 911 and they’ll help guide you to the right place.
OTHER COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Mackay mentioned business break-ins (The Junction has been heavily affected as well as Alki) An attendee asked whether drug use in public is now legal (there was confusion several weeks back); Evans said no, but the law still favors trying first to get people into treatment and “we’ll prosecute if that’s not progressing.” Kay Kirkpatrick from HPAC said the burned van was only one of at least seven vehicles in seven weeks in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, but at least the gate at the bottom of Highland Park Way hill has been replaced and its lock fortified. Kirkpatrick said that the upcoming Glassyard Commons RV/tiny-house site was also likely to draw more trouble to the nearby greenbelt areas.
NEXT MEETING: The SWPAC will reconvene in May (if you have concerns for SPD in the meantime, there are usually reps at other regular neighborhood-group meetings including Admiral, Alki, Fauntleroy, Highland Park/Riverview/South Delridge, and Morgan). When Brown asked last night’s group what topics/guests they would like to see considered for the May meeting, suggestions included SDOT to talk about traffic, King County Sheriff’s Office to talk about how they and SPD collaborate, and security for the World Cup games, which will be just a few weeks away by then. If you have suggestions – or crime-prevention-related questions – Brown is reachable at matthew.brown@seattle.gov. And Capt. Bair had a final request: If crime happens, “please don’t NOT report.”
Just back from the Southwest Precinct Advisory Council meeting; we’ll publish our full report tomorrow, but tonight we wanted to bring you two updates of note from the meeting, presented. by SW Precinct Capt. Krista Bair and Lt. Wes Collier:
HIGH POINT GUNFIRE: Police said the incident January 14 that involved at least 60 shots was determined to have been “targeted.” But the woman who was injured was not an intended target. They added that enough people in the vicinity had security cameras – registered with Connect Seattle – that investigators have been able to identify some of those involved. Arrests were not mentioned, though.
(Reader photo, last month)
WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT ‘ARSON’: They said the early January fire that gutted a van in the greenbelt, first categorized as “arson” due to a suspected “incendiary device,” was not. It turned out that the stolen van had been started “in a creative manner” and whatever was involved in that is what was mistaken for a fire-starting “device.” The city’s Unified Care Team helped coordinate getting the burned-out van removed before it attracted further activity.
Seattle Police are looking for a voyeurism suspect after an incident late last night on Alki. We heard a bit about it in emergency-radio communication and requested the narrative today; SPD sent this summary:
At about 11:00 pm, Seattle police officers responded to reports of a “male seen staring into a female’s window and masturbating” in the 2700 block of 62nd Avenue SW. Officers arrived and met with both the 911 caller and the victim, who was unharmed. Officers found the suspect’s vehicle and identified the driver, yet he fled the area on foot before they arrived. No arrest has been made at this time.
Police developed probable cause to arrest the suspect for Voyeurism in a Public Place. They are actively searching for the man, a Hispanic male in his 40s driving a black and blue 2006 Acura RL Sedan with a dent in the front left quarter panel. Anyone that witnesses this type of behavior is asked to call 911 immediately. Reference: 2026-39490. Residents in the area are encouraged to keep their doors locked and draw their shades for privacy.
The Seattle Police Community Service Officers – who help people in a variety of circumstances – are coordinating this donation request that we were asked to share:
We are looking for:
Full-size shower towels for a local community shower.
Lightly used ok, but please ensure they are CLEAN.
Please email Jen for pickup: jennifer.tenorio@seattle.gov
Any questions, that’s also who to ask.
SATURDAY NOON UPDATE: The missing man’s family reports he’s been found.
Earlier:
As previously reported. Seattle Police postponed the next quarterly-ish Southwest Precinct Advisory Council from its originally scheduled date this week – and now there’s a new date, so you can set your calendar if you’re interested in attending. This meeting is an opportunity for people in the area to hear from and talk with local police. Crime Prevention Coordinator Matt Brown says the official time/date is now 6:30 pm Tuesday, February 17, at the precinct’s community room, 2300 SW Webster – all welcome.
1:22 PM: Thanks for all the tips about the southbound full-code SPD cars. They’re heading to Arbor Heights after a report of someone “brandishing a gun” at or near Summit Atlas middle/high school, which SPD reported has gone “into lockdown” as a result. No gunfire reported, no injuries, but the reportedly armed person was reported to have headed eastbound on Roxbury on foot, described as a Black man in his mid-20s with black puffy jacket, gray sweatpants, possibly accompanied by several other people.
1:32 PM: Police have detained two people at Roxhill Park.
(Reader photo)
12:57 PM: Thanks for the tips about the police response near 48th SW and SW Waite in west Admiral, same neighborhood as last Wednesday’s standoff. We have not yet verified whether this is related but police are trying to get a domestic-violence suspect – with whom, radio exchanges indicate, they’ve dealt before – to come out of his residence. They’re talking with him and at least one SPD negotiator has arrived at the scene.
1:58 PM: A nearby resident tells us most of the police have left; we haven’t heard an update on the suspect’s status, but we’re asking SPD.
ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTTERNOON: Police confirm they have since arrested the suspect. Here’s how they summarize it:
… officers on 1st watch SW developed PC on a suspect for DV Assault 4th Degree. That suspect fled the scene and when located by officers, he eluded them in a vehicle. The suspect then returned to his home, where the victim locked the door, and kicked the door in. Officers returned, contained the residence and the suspect refused to come out. This is the second time in a week the suspect barricaded himself inside his home. The suspect told officers they would have to kill him. After a long dialog with HNT, it was decided to leave the scene. Later, officers were contacted by the suspect’s landlord, who stated he would be picking up the suspect and taking him out to eat. The landlord said he would pull over if someone did a traffic stop on him. Officers coordinated with the landlord and setup a controlled arrest at a pre-planned and controlled location. A stop was conducted to arrest the suspect. The suspect was uncooperative, and a short foot pursuit was initiated. Type II force was used, the suspect was taken into custody.
10:25 PM: A three-car crash at 16th/Elmgrove is reported to be the result of a King County Sheriff’s Office pursuit following a robbery somewhere in KCSO jurisdiction. A search for at least one suspect is under way, and Seattle Police are being asked to help with a wider search area. Updates to come.
(Reader photos sent by John)
10:30 PM: According to the SFD medical dispatch for the crash scene, one of the vehicles is “on its side.” The vehicle originally being pursued was described as a “black Subaru.”
10:38 PM: Added photos sent by John (thank you!). According to ongoing radio communication, at least one person is already in custody (but they’re still looking for at least one other). A K-9 team is involved with the search.
10:57 PM: Added another photo from John, showing the black Subaru (a Crosstrek); we still haven’t traced the original robbery circumstances, but deputies were reported to have started tracking the car as far south as Burien, kicking into pursuit mode somewhere around White Center. Meantime, the search continues with deputies chasing residents’ tips about people possibly shown running through yards; they now have reported taking a second person into custody, near 19th/Austin. (For anyone wondering why the Guardian One helicopter isn’t being used for this, it was requested, but is not in service tonight; a drone operator was apparently called in, though.)
11:27 PM: The K-9 team has run out of leads to track, so the search will be scaling back.
11:44 PM: Finally found the original KCSO radio exchanges about what led to all this. They got a report just after 9:30 pm of a fight at the Red Roof Inn near the airport; upon arrival, they found an injured woman who said she’d been assaulted and robbed of items including her car keys – to the black Subaru Crosstrek – and phone – which was at least initially used to track the car.
11:56 PM: Deputies have asked KCSO dispatch to send four tow trucks to the 16th/Elmgrove scene. Some parked cars apparently were damaged too.
ADDED 9:12 AM: An SFD spokesperson says one person needed to be taken to the hospital, a 25-year-old woman who was in stable condition when transported by AMR ambulance.
When Seattle Police announced the next Southwest Precinct Advisory Council community updates/Q&A meeting would be held on January 13, it was pointed out that the date conflicted with the longstanding meeting night for at least three major neighborhood groups. SPD at the time decided to keep the date anyway. But now with less than a week to go, Crime Prevention Coordinator Matt Brown says they’ve changed their mind and decided to postpone the meeting until a TBD date in February instead. So if you’d marked your calendar for the January 13 meeting with police, scratch it, and stand by for a new meeting date.
(Added: WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
5:45 PM: For those asking about the law-enforcement response near 48th/Waite [map], police are in a standoff with a man who they say has a state Corrections Department warrant out for his arrest, He is reported to have barricaded himself in an apartment. Police have called in negotiators; state corrections officers have responded too. What the warrant is for, we don’t know (yet). Avoid the area.
6:21 PM: No updates. They’ve gone to encrypted communication so there may not be any until it’s resolved.
7 PM: SPD has left, according to WSB senior contributor Christopher Boffoli, who went over to check out the scene; he says they told him it’s a DOC matter from here.
11:30 PM THURSDAY: A few people texted to ask about a big police response at The Whittaker at midday today. All that we heard over police radio was that it involved a man believed to have a knife, in some sort of confrontation/dispute with armed security guards for the mixed-use complex, which includes the Whole Foods store. One person was reported detained. This was on our followup list for tomorrow but SPD released their preliminary summary tonight:
At 1149 hours, Officers were dispatched to a public parking garage for reports of a subject armed with a Taser and a knife, threatening a homeless person and armed security for that property. Officers quickly arrived and took control of the scene. During the investigation, officers learned the suspect, based on his own statements, targeted the victim because he was homeless. Management of the property also stated they’ve had issues with the suspect harassing the homeless in the parking garage. After interviewing all involved and reviewing video footage. It was determined the suspect lunged at the homeless person with a taser, attempting to tase them. The suspect was arrested for felony assault and malicious harassment.
We’ll be asking for the full narrative as well as trying to find out more about the suspect’s status.
ADDED 10:23 PM FRIDAY: Here’s the narrative we obtained from SPD:
U contacted the suspect XXXXXX who was standing inside of the parking lot a few feet from the victim. (Suspect) was told to walk toward officers, with his hands up. Before walking toward officers, (suspect) dropped his taser on the ground. While being placed in handcuffs, (Suspect) was told that he was being detained. The Victim, later identified as XXXX, was also told that he is being detained. Both parties were separated for further investigation.
While speaking to Suspect/1, he stated that he was an employee for a company to keep homeless people out of the parking lot. Suspect/1 was unable to tell me the name of his employer, but said that it was written on a piece of paper in his wallet. XXXX XXXX XXXX, #XXX-XXX-XXX, was written on the paper Suspect/1 stated as his employer. Officer XXXX #8720, was able to verify that Suspect/1 is not an employee of XXXX XXXX. Suspect/1 kept repeating himself, saying that homeless people keep returning and it’s his job to keep them off the property. I asked him to explain why he had a taser out, and he stated that Victim/1 pulled out his knife first. I asked why Victim/1 pull out his knife first, and he responded by saying he told Victim/1 to get the ‘f— out’ while standing about 5 feet away. Suspect/1 also stated that he did not lunge towards Victim/1
I spoke with the XXXX XXXX of Whole Foods, later identified as XXX, XXXX, #XXXX-XXX-XXXX. She stated that this is an ongoing issue with Suspect/1. She did not witness the incident but stated that as of today, she wants Suspect/1 to be officially trespassed. Suspect/1 was told not to enter Whole foods on 4755 Fauntleroy WY.
I contacted Victim/1 who stated that Suspect/1 randomly walked towards him telling him to get out of the parking lot. Victim/1 said Suspect/1 then kicked his $500 Samsung phone, which is now damaged. He said he tried to kick again towards him but missed. Victim/1 stated Suspect/1 then had a knife in his hand, and lunged towards him, but he was not physically assaulted. Victim/1 stated that Suspect/1 also used his taser in an aggressive manner towards him by ‘sparking’ it and waving it at him. Victim/1 also said that he has video footage of Suspect/1 using the knife and taser as a threat towards him. While viewing the video, Victim/1 stated that the Whole food security guards arrived after Suspect/1 used the knife towards him, but then shortly redacted his statement. Victim/1 said that he is now not sure if the knife was used towards him but said that Suspect/1 held the knife in his right hand. I personally did not see the knife in Suspect/1 right hand, from the video shown. I observed Suspect/1 holding a dog leash in his right hand and using the taser with his left hand. Suspect/1 sparked the taser about 2 times and reached his arm out with the taser towards Victim/1. Both individuals appeared to be standing from each other, no more than 6 feet. Victim/1 did state that he believed he was targeted because he is homeless.
Victim/1 appeared to fear for his life and stated that Suspect/1 is the same individual who harassed him about a month ago. I asked was that incident reported and Victim/1 stated no. Based on Suspect/1 statements of having what appears to be a fixation towards individuals who are unhoused, there is a bias.
Suspect/1 was read his Miranda rights and told he is under arrest. Suspect/1 was then searched and transported for booking at King County Jail. I have probable cause for RCW- 9A.36.021 ASSAULT 2, and SMC- 12A.06.115-Malicious harassment.
According to the report, the suspect is 74 years old and the victim is 69. The jail roster shows the suspect remains in the King County Jail tonight, bail set at $2,000 for investigation of two misdemeanors.
1:15 PM: Police are in the (corrected) West Duwamish Greenbelt between Riverview and West Marginal Way, where they’d gone because of a vehicle possibly with stolen plates, found but on fire. They’ve told dispatch that the fire appears to have been set; SFD has responded too, but it’s apparently happening in a tough-to-access place. They’ve also reported that the burning van has had two explosions – so if you’re in the area and think you’ve heard shots, that’s probably what you heard. So far no description of suspect(s) in the arson but the investigation and response continues.
(Reader photo: Smoke rising from greenbelt as seen from Riverview Pee-Wee Fields)
3:02 PM: The vehicle was reported fully engulfed in flames at one point and described as a van possibly belonging to a local nonprofit.
6:24 PM: Added the photo sent by a reader of what appears to be the burned van, seen by an area resident that saw it while walking on a trail near Riverview.
10:33 PM: Here’s the police summary about this incident, released tonight:
At 1129 hours, officers were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle call. The caller stated there was an occupied that drove on the walking trail in a wooded area and appears to be stuck. Caller stated the driver appeared to be smoking something. When officers arrived, they attempted to knock on the vehicle but quickly recognized there was a larger than normal amount of smoke in the vehicle (cargo van). Officers checked to make sure there was nobody inside and it was unoccupied. The rear window broke out, due to the fire and officers observed the lone rear seat was on fire and there was some sort of device with wires coming out of it, underneath the seat. They backed away from the vehicle to get to a safe distance. While moving away from the vehicle there was a significant explosion inside. ABS was called and responded to the scene. It was determined there was an improvised incendiary device at the seat that exploded to create the larger fire that fully engulfed the van. SFD arrived on-scene and was able to extinguish the fire. No citizens or officers were injured from the explosion.
If you have any info, the SPD case # is 2026-000421.
While we were checking out fogged-in Harbor/Alki Avenues around 11 pm, police were investigating gunfire in the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex/Southwest Teen Life Center/SW Pool vicinity. It’s not easy on a night like this to discern gunfire from fireworks but in this case, the report didn’t come from 911, it came from an officer who told dispatch he saw the gunfire just before multiple vehicles scattered, and reported “casings all over the place” – from at least two different guns, a handgun and rifle. He told dispatch he surmised people in multiple vehicles “were shooting at each other.” No report of injuries, nor of where exactly it happened – the address 2801 SW Thistle covers a lot of ground at those facilities; we’ll be requesting the report.
11:59 PM: Police are investigating a reported armed street robbery this past half-hour near Boss Drive-In in South Delridge. According to police radio, the victim said he was held up at gunpoint and robbed of his iPhone. The robber was described only as white, male, in a black jacket and blue jeans, and was said to have gotten away in a black Trailblazer. If you have any information, the SPD case # is 25-374979.
1 AM: No further updates; we’ll follow up with SPD later this morning and add anything more we find out.
7:26 PM MONDAY: Police responding to multiple calls about suspected gunfire have confirmed it: Officers just told dispatch they’ve found “several casings so far” in the south parking lot of Westcrest Park. No reports of injuries.
12:25 PM TUESDAY: We’ve obtained the police-report narrative, though two points of interest – the number of casings and types – were redacted by SPD, along with names as usual, but the narrative does clarify where exactly the gunfire happened:
On 12/15/2025 at approximately 19:13 I responded to several reports of shots fired in the area of Westcrest Park located at 8800 8th Ave SW in the city of Seattle, county of King. Initial remarks stated, “10 SHOTS FROM 2 WEAPONS, 2 WEAPONS, NOTHING ELSE HEARD, TO THE NORTHEAST”. Multiple callers reported hearing the shots in the area and reported the following to dispatch:
“SOUTH OF 4 SHOTS AND THEN RAPID FIRE 1 MIN AGO, NOTHING ELSE SEEN/HEARD”
“ANOTHER COMPL REPORTING 8 SHOTS HEARD POSSIBLY FROM WESTCREST PARK, NOTHING ELSE HEARD OR SEEN”
“ANOTHER REPORTING HEARING RAPID GUN SHOTS 3 MINS. SOUNDED LIKE MACHINE GUNS COMING FROM WESTCREST PARK”
“ANOTHER CALLER REPORTING HEARING 3-4 SHOTS FROM A HANDGUN AND THEN RAPID FIRE FROM AN AUTOMATIC WEAPON AT 1911. SOUNDED LIKE IT CAME FROM WESTCREST PARK. RP IS AT xxxx AND CAUGHT THE SOUND ON CAMERA BUT NOTHING SEEN”
Others called in as well reporting the same as the above listed callers. I responded to the southern parking lot of Westcrest park where I know, based on my experience in this area, shootings have occurred before. I located several casings on the ground in this area. The casings were all grouped relatively close together on the blacktop near the path leading to the community garden at this end of the park. My backing officers assisted me in XXXX XXXX near the fired casings. I photographed the scene and each individual casing. Each XXXX was XXXX with a XXXX XXXX and XXXX into an XXXX XXXX which was then XXXX with the XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX of XXXX. The photographs have been uploaded to AxonCapture. The casings consisted of XXXX XXXX XXXX casings and XXXX XXXX casings. The XXXX were all branded “XXXX” and the XXXX were branded “XXXX XXXX” or XXXX.
The immediate area was canvassed but no victims or bullet damage were located. None of the callers reported having sustained injury or damage from gunfire. One caller had reported capturing audio of the shooting on video.
8:34 AM: The missing man’s family just told us he’s been found safe in South Park.
Earlier:
Two City Council meetings today had SPD in the spotlight:
2025 CRIME STATS: When the Public Safety Committee met in the morning – as mentioned in our daily event list – the biggest agenda item was SPD’s year-in-review update, including a look at crime/safety trends through the end of November. First, here’s the meeting video – the SPD item is 47 minutes in:
Here’s the slide deck that accompanied their briefing. Among the slides, this one mentioned a drop in several crime categories:
Of the homicides that did happen – so far this year, none in West Seattle – SPD says they’re solving more of them:
Gunfire has been an area of concern, here and elsewhere, throughout the year. In the lower right corner of the next slide, SPD lists the top 10 neighborhoods for shots-fired incidents, and none are in West Seattle:
One other slide of note – SPD says its hiring is still going well:
POLICE CONTRACT VOTES: In the afternoon, the full City Council voted to approve two SPD contracts. Here’s the meeting video:
The documents are linked from the agenda. The Seattle Police Management Association contract was approved unanimously, while the Seattle Police Officers Guild contract was approved by a vote of 6 to 3, according to District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka, who was one of the three “no” votes. He explains in part:
I approached this contract with two priorities: keeping our community safe and making sure our systems are worthy of your trust. That means strong response options, clear expectations, and accountability that works.
This agreement offered some positive movement, but it did not meet those standards. It also came with a significant cost increase to the city, even though Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers already are and would have remained the highest paid officers in the entire state, with or without the deal.
Seattle deserves a contract that strengthens transparency and gives civilian oversight agencies the tools they need to do their job. This proposal left too many gaps, especially around investigations and consistency in discipline. Those gaps weaken trust, and we cannot afford that.
Read Councilmember Saka’s full explanation, in an email newsletter, here.
11:56 PM: Police arrested a woman found inside a West Seattle Junction business to which they responded tonight when a possible burglary was reported. According to police radio, 911 got a call that someone was seen on live video inside Top Pot Doughnuts around 10 pm, five hours after closing time. Officers told dispatch they found a 21-year-old woman inside the store who had apparently fallen asleep in a restroom while the shop was still open. Whether any evidence of a burglary was actually found is unclear, but they arrested the woman after finding she was the subject of two misdemeanor warrants from Tukwila, and took her to the SCORE jail in Des Moines. We’ll follow up with SPD in the morning.
ADDED 11:34 AM: Here’s the narrative we obtained from SPD:
At approximately 2217 hours, I was dispatched to Top Pot Donuts located at 4709 California Av Sw for a burglary that was being reported by their alarm company. Initial remarks on the call stated “BURG ALARM, FRONT DOOR MOTION/REGISTER MOTION, XXXX TRIP/2203, UNK MALE SEEN ON CAMERA STANDING BY THE REGISTER, UNK WEAPONS.’
At approximately 2225 hours, I arrived in the area with Officers XXXX (3-William-12), XXXX and XXXX (3-William-31), XXXX and XXXX (3-Frank-2). A female, identified herself as XXXX, was found to be locked inside the business and was unable to exit.
The business owner, XXXX XXXX, arrived at the location and was able to unlock the main entrance to allow Officers inside. I contacted XXXX and advised that Officers were audio/video recording prior to her explaining the following.
(She) was unaware of the current time but stated she had arrived at the location and was able to walk in through the front door. Once inside, she entered the single-use bathroom, where she proceeded to use the toilet and then washed her hair in the sink. (She) estimates that she was inside of the bathroom for about an hour.
When (she) exited the bathroom, she was unable to leave the premise because all of the doors, including the front door that she had entered, was locked. (Her) cellphone was dead but she located a landline that she used to call security. Security arrived at the location with Officers and confirmed that they had received a phone call from the business.
(she) stated she only walked around the premise to look for a way to exit, and did not take any items. (she) eventually admitted to eating a donut off of a speed tray and drinking some bottled juice. When asked about the merchandise on her person, she also admitted to taking them. Two beanies and a reusable bag were returned to the owner, who stated he wanted her to be trespassed from the location.
Officer XXXX spoke with the owner, XXXX, who confirmed that the business had closed hours prior at 1700 hours. The business is generally closed at 1700 hours with employees usually leaving at 1830 hours. XXXX stated that it was possible that (the woman) had entered the premise during business hours and that employees had not checked the bathroom prior to locking the doors. XXXX also stated that (she) may have entered at 2030 hours when the delivery man entered to drop donuts.
While locating (her) DOL information, a valid misdemeanor warrant for theft 3 was located out of Tukwila . The warrant was issued 04/26/2024 for $1,000.
Officer XXXX verified the warrant with Data. (she) was taken into custody and advised that she was under arrest for the warrant. I searched (her) incident to arrest at the hood of Officer XXXX’s patrol vehicle. Officer XXXX read her Miranda. Officer XXXX transported (her) from the scene to SCORE jail where she was booked without incident.
For the second time today, SPD has announced a West Seattle community meeting. This time, it’s part of a series called “Our City, Our Safety 2026,” with one meeting per month for 10 months, in 10 neighborhoods around the city; the third will be held at Alki Bathhouse (2701 Alki SW), 6 pm Wednesday, March 11. From the announcement:
… What differentiates this series is how the information will be used and, eventually, shared back with stakeholders. At the first of two annual meetings in each Seattle precinct, police officials – including Chief Shon Barnes and each precinct captain – will present information and gather feedback and ideas from attendees. And at the second meeting, they will share results, lessons learned, unexpected impacts, and other updates to continuously improve and create accountability. …
What can you expect?
The Seattle Police Department and Department of Neighborhoods designed a 90-minute meeting that combines the best of a town hall with the best of a neighborhood watch program. Participants will have the chance to hear directly from police officials and each other. The meeting also features a roundtable portion where they can have more in-depth conversations about urgent concerns to try to co-develop solutions or examine the department’s past efforts.
… The concept is grounded in research that indicates that when residents come together with police to discuss their concerns, solutions, and ideas, they can create collaborative safety strategies that truly reflect the unique needs of each neighborhood. The series is designed to complement the Seattle Police Department’s current efforts, including its active advisory councils such as the West Seattle Advisory Council, the LGBTQ Advisory Council, and the Belltown Advisory Council and local business engagements such as Coffee with a Cop. …
You can see the full announcement here.
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