West Seattle, Washington
23 Friday
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.
Every few months, the Southwest Precinct Advisory Council – local police and community-group reps, plus whoever else shows up – meets to talk and hear about West Seattle/South Park crime/safety concerns. The date has just been announced for the next one: Tuesday, January 13, 6:30 pm, at the precinct (2300 SW Webster). No official agenda yet, but if you’re interested in going, set your calendar now. (Here’s our coverage of the previous SWPAC meeting in October.)
1:55 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police have blocked off the area around the Southwest Precinct – including taping off SW Webster, as the photo shows – and are searching for someone in the area. They’ve also called in the Arson and Bomb Squad. This all started with the discovery of something that officers themselves described over the air only as something “suspicious”; they’re looking for someone related to it, seen on cameras around 12:44 pm. More information when we get it.
1:58 PM: SPD spokesperson Det. Eric Muñoz tells WSB that they’re investigating a “suspicious device” found near the flagpole outside the precinct.
2:45 PM: According to radio, the Arson Bomb Squad is “clearing out” and the precinct will reopen.
6:55 PM: Here’s the summary from SPD:
On 12/6/25, just after 1:00 p.m., an unknown suspect placed what appeared to be a military ordnance mine in front of the Southwest Precinct along with a camera. Arson/Bomb Squad (ABS) responded and determined the device to be an imitation device. ABS recovered the device and the camera. This is an open and active investigation assigned to ABS.
If you have any information, the case # is 2025-357373.
(Added: Reader photo. Alaska House is building on the left)
11:12 AM: Thanks for the tips. The situation that’s been unfolding this past hour at the Alaska House apartments in The Junction (on 42nd just north of Junction Plaza Park) started with a report of gunfire in an apartment and a man threatening people, in what’s described as a domestic-violence situation. Police have one suspect in custody and found “live rounds” plus at least one bullet hole in an apartment on the 8th floor. A gun was recovered, according to police radio. More info as we get it.
11:23 AM: So far, police have reported finding a shotgun but not the pistol they believe the suspect fired (the rounds that were found were described as .22). No injuries reported but medics were called to check out a pregnant woman who was one of the people allegedly threatened.
TUESDAY UPDATE: Police have confirmed that the other gun was found by a worker in the building. Meantime, while we’re still awaiting probable-cause documents, we do know from the jail roster that the 67-year-old suspect’s bail was set today at $250.000.
ORIGINAL SUNDAY REPORT: Several texters asked about an emergency response at Rotary Viewpoint Park (35th SW and SW Alaska) this morning. According to SFD and SPD radio recordings and logs, 911 got a call around 8:15 this morning about a person who had died in a tent. Upon arrival, responderd confirmed the death. That’s all we know so far; the King County Medical Examiner’s Office has removed the body, and we’re checking with police about the case.
MONDAY UPDATE: Police responded to our inquiry today. While we’re still awaiting information from the Medical Examiner – which could come as soon as today’s weekday update around 3 pm – the police report says the man who died was 37 years old; likely overdosed, based on drug paraphernalia around his body; and had probably been dead two or three days. Police added, “(Name redacted) does not appear to have any next of kin to notify of his passing.”
MONDAY UPDATE #2: He does not appear to be on today’s ME list.
TUESDAY UPDATE: Today’s ME list identifies him as 37-year-old Michael J. Rissler. Though the police report says the apparent cause of death was overdose, the ME report says formal determination of cause/manner of death is still pending.
ORIGINAL SATURDAY REPORT: Thanks to the reader who texted the photo and report of crews replacing this utility pole in the 6600 block of Fauntleroy Way SW [vicinity map]. It was reported hit by a driver at 2:30 am; we heard the dispatch but the pole was not initially reported compromised, the street was not reported blocked, and the driver was reported unhurt. Reviewing subsequent radio exchanges, police were investigating the driver for possible DUI.
ADDED MONDAY: We confirmed with police that the 27-year-old man driving the car that hit the pole, a 2025 Audi, was arrested on suspicion of DUI. According to the police-report narrative, he was alone in the car and unable to tell them where he had been coming from and where he was living or staying; he had a Washington, D.C. driver license and gave what appears to be a South Park addressed when also asked where he was going, though he was driving in the opposite direction. The officer writing the report also noted he “had no shirt on.”
5:29 PM: Police are investigating an incident in Morgan Junction this afternoon which has led to the principal of Gatewood Elementary sending an FYI to families. First, here’s principal Kyna Hogg‘s note, forwarded to us by multiple Gatewood parents:
Dear Gatewood Families and Staff,
I wanted to let you know about an incident that occurred near Gatewood this afternoon and to remind everyone about safety when walking home from school.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., the Seattle Police Department received a report that a man was following two girls walking along California Ave. Community members who witnessed the situation intervened and told the girls to run, which they did. Police responded quickly and took the man into custody.
At this time, the police have not identified the two girls involved, and there is no ongoing threat to our school community. If you believe your child may have been one of the students involved, please contact me so I can connect you with the investigating officers.
While this appears to have been an isolated incident, it’s a good opportunity to remind our students and families about safety when walking to and from school. Please take a few moments to review the following tips with your child:
-Walk with a friend or in a group whenever possible.
-Stay on main roads and sidewalks; avoid alleys or shortcuts.
-Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions such as phones or headphones.
-If someone makes you uncomfortable or follows you, run to a safe place (such as a nearby business or home) and ask for help.
-Report anything suspicious to a trusted adult or directly to the police.The district offers resources for students who walk or bike to school. If you are interested in having your student join a walking group, you can learn more on the district website.
We are grateful to the community members who acted quickly today and to the Seattle Police for their swift response. If you have any questions, please contact me directly.
A few more details from the police-radio exchanges about this: It was originally reported near California and Fauntleroy, The person who reported it to police was then apparently following the man in their car; police were told the man then stopped at 40th and Morgan and got out of his car, possibly to confront the follower. Police arrived and detained the man. They were also trying to find the girls who had run from him (they were described as white, blonde, slender, maybe around 12 years old). We have an inquiry out to find out if the man was actually arrested or just questioned. If you have any information on the incident, the SPD # is 2025-332513.
7:04 PM: We’ve just heard back from SPD, which says the man was not arrested, and provided the report narrative explaining why:
SUBJECT said that at 1455, he dropped his wife XXXX off at McDonalds for her shift. He dropped her off across the street from the McDonalds, turned around, and was about to go home when XXXX started yelling at him from her vehicle. SUBJECT was very confused, and thought this was a road rage incident.
SUBJECT said that he has no idea what XXXX is talking about with the two teenage girls, and said he was simply dropping his wife off at work.
Officers confirmed with XXXX that SUBJECT was only dropping her off for her shift at work.
I do not believe that SUBJECT was trying to abduct anybody. I believe this may [have] been XXXX believing that she saw suspicious behavior, and having an overly reactive emotional response.
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