West Seattle, Washington
30 Tuesday
(Added Wednesday night: Full unedited video of meeting)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
On a day bookended by two gunfire incidents in West Seattle, leaders from the Seattle Police Gun Violence Reduction Unit happened to be among the guests at the quarterly Southwest Precinct Advisory Council meeting.
Lt. Sean Moore and Sgt. Jeffrey Page acknowledged it probably isn’t much comfort for those directly affected by gunfire incidents to hear that citywide, “shots fired” calls are down.
But they said the 15 detectives and two sergeants in the unit “are out there every day trying to find the people responsible for this violence.” They briefly mentioned high-profile West Seattle incidents such as the person reported to have pointed a gun at a Madison Middle School staffer last week. “We will arrest them and hold them accountable,” the GRVU team insisted.
They can’t do it without community information, however, they said – “we need your help, we need your eyes and ears, we need your private video.” And they urged people to use the SPD violent-crime tipline, 206-233-5000, anonymously if necessary.
GVRU is one of the followup units with which the Southwest Precinct is collaborating, precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair told the ~50 people gathered at Neighborhood House High Point. The others include the Narcotics and Robbery Units, she added, while reiterating that community collaboration is just as important.
Some categories of crime are down significantly, precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite – who organized the meeting along with the SWPAC’s community lead Ella McRae – said. Year to year, auto theft in the precinct area (West Seattle and South Park)is down 37 percent, while burglary is down 40 percent.
After stats, the meeting moved on to what was originally to be a panel discussion – City Attorney Ann Davison canceled at the last minute and City Council President Sara Nelson arrived 25 minutes into the meeting (explaining that she had been napping and overslept), so Natalie Walton-Anderson – who is public-safety chief for Mayor Bruce Harrell – was alone to field initial questions.
The questions began with some submitted in advance. Police staffing was the first, and Walton-Anderson noted the recent recruiting success: “I always like to give hope and optimism – our hiring numbers continue to break records; we’re averaging 12 applicants every day.” But that won’t be reflected in numbers of officers on the street before fall, since the hiring and training process is time-consuming. “I know people are tired of waiting.”
What can city and county prosecutors do about gun violence? Walton-Anderson noted she has worked for both those departments. “Gun laws need to be addressed at the state and federal level … an influx of guns continues to come into our community.” But she said it’s also about working with youth, from mentors to “violence interrupters.” Regarding what seems like a “revolving door” of people through the criminal-justice system, she said, “Those are questions I’ve been asking for 28 years … in terms of repeat offenders, we should hold people accountable but if we don’t get to the underlying reasons,” things won’t change. Asked what specific laws need to change, she declined to make suggestions.
She did talk about the 911 and non-emergency-number system, which she’d been asked about in a previous forum. She mentioned some recent changes – for example, in mid-May, the CARE Department – which includes 911 – “went live with a new phone tree to try to direct calls such as parking enforcement.” And as of the start of this month, CARE is staffing a dedicated non-emergency calltaker during “peak hours, 7 days a week, 11 am to 7 pm.” That doesn’t mean the non-emergency number won’t be answered at other times, she said, but it increases the chances you’ll reach someone during those “peak hours.”
However, she warned, 911 still has 14 vacancies “and that’s a lot.” It’ll be reduced soon with a new class of seven people emerging, however. She added that any calls that haven’t been dispatched for an extended period of time are being “re-broadcast” (we’ve heard this while monitoring police radio).
(Council President Sara Nelson, Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite, SW Precinct Capt. Krista Bair)
That’s when council president Nelson arrived. The citywide councilmember (who’s running for re-election this fall) insisted the council is “laser-focused on public safety” while acknowledging “that’s not enough.” She said a major role of the council is oversight, and the recent report on gun-violence trends was an example. Meantime, “We’re trying to do our job by passing laws but progress is too slow – apologizing to the community is inappropriate right now, so we just have to acknowledge we have a long way to go.”
When the floor was opened to “live” Q&A shortly after that, she was asked if the council will try again to fund the gunshot-detector technology that the mayor decided not to pursue. Nelson said she was “100 percent for it.” Walton-Anderson declared that “we need all the technological help we can get” and said that technology already in use has “resulted in so many incredible outcomes.” That includes the newly implemented Real-Time Crime Center and closed-circuit cameras installed in three areas of the city (none in the SW Precinct yet, and the panelists said this area hadn’t yet been “identified” as a priority). The camera usage had helped solve an auto theft, for example, she added, and Nelson noted that while some might not consider auto theft mega-important, “the problem is that the stolen cars are being used for much-greater crimes,” like crash-and-grab burglaries.
Next question was about the North Delridge gunfire incident earlier in the day; Capt. Bair said she didn’t have up-to-date details but last she had heard, SPD was “working on a warrant” for a related search. (Our story had followup information earlier in the evening that the one person initially reported as “detained” was indeed eventually arrested and booked into jail.)
Will the police-hiring success mean more officers for the Southwest Precinct? Capt. Bair couldn’t say for sure but did note yet another departmental change – when new recruits leave the academy, they are usually “sprinkled around” the department, but next time “we’re going to take all five and put them in one precinct – it’ll be more impactful.” She didn’t know which precinct that would be, however.
An attendee who said her children were impacted by two recent incidents that led to schools sheltering in place asked, “How are we going to prioritize West Seattle?” Walton-Anderson, noting that she had a child affected by one of those recent incidents too, countered, “How are we going to prioritize ALL our kids?” She exhorted support for youth mental health and more city partnership with schools on safety programs. “More police, yes, but also, (programs like) Community Passageways” are needed.
Walton-Anderson had to depart at 7:30, with a half-hour left, so Nelson became the lone panelist (along with SPD personnel, including the GVRU leaders, Capt. Bair, and the precinct’s second-in-command Operations Lt. Nate Shopay).
Another attendee had more of a comment than a question, saying that three gunfire incidents have happened in her High Point neighborhood and she’s worried about youth who know who’s to blame but aren’t talking. She’s also worried that there’s no safe place for kids to play. McRae, who works as a community builder in HP, said there actually are a lot of options for play.
Regarding patrols to prevent crime, Lt. Shopay said that by mid-summer, some bicycle patroling would be back, focused on “directed patrol” emphasis areas such as Alki Beach and Westwood Village. (Officers won’t be riding to those spots from the precinct, though – they have to be able to “get back in their cars” quickly if other events dictate.) And he said “directed patrols” do include side streets, not just arterials.
A South Park representative reminded Lt. Shopay that SP would like bike patrols, too.
Are police monitoring social media to find out what’s planned for street-racing type events? one attendee then asked.
Capt. Bair said yes, the department is “scouring” social media and “often” knows when there’s going to be a gathering.
Overall, she insisted, “we’re doing everything we can.” There’s regional intel-sharing too, since often these gatherings move from city to city, not just neighborhood to neighborhood.
The precinct’s public-safety liaison from the City Attorney’s Office, Rachel Wang,, said some new racing-related regulations are on the books and could result in tickets – “participation” and “attendance at races.”
Then the question emerged again: What can be done about gun violence? Nelson promised to introduce “some policies” by year’s end, without getting specific.
Various other frustrations were expressed before the meeting ended. An attendee expressed frustration at trying to contact police with video of a reckless driver, saying the 911 calltaker told him they couldn’t do anything because no one got hurt. Capt. Bair apologized, saying that’s not the kind of reception she would have hoped for – the situation “sounds like a 911 call to me.” Others asked whether police were enforcing the lack of plates, or plates with tinted covers, or windows tinted too darkly. Capt. Bair said police are “doing what we can” – but she had to be honest, higher-priority violations take precedence.
Another attendee asked for clarification regarding the 206-233-5000 tipline. “Violent crimes,” said the GVRU commmander Lt. Moore. A legislative assistant accompanying Council President Nelson said that for non-urgent, low-level situations, Find It Fix It might be appropriate.
The meeting ran a bit overtime, and many participants stayed on for one-on-one conversations. Watch for the next quarterly meeting to be announced when the date, time, and location are set; you’ll also see Satterwhite and other SPD reps at many major summer events, including Night Out on August 5.
11:35 AM: Police are converging on 25th/Dakota [vicinity map] for a gunfire investigation. Dispatch says two people were reported to be shooting at each other, one on foot, one in a vehicle. No injuries reported so far.
11:37 AM: The vehicle is described as a gray Kia Sorento; the shooter on foot is described only as Black, male, black shirt, red pants, seen running south on Dakota.
11:40 AM: Police report that they’ve detained one possible suspect. They’re also closing off Dakota at Delridge.
11:53 AM: If you see/hear a helicopter, Guardian One was just getting its day started and was going to head this way to help with the search. Police meantime are checking out leads that other possible suspects might be linked to residence(s) nearby. Still no report of any injuries.
1:01 PM: Police are still on the scene, between Delridge and 25th. They slso have a report of bullet damage at a nearby apartment building.
5:31 PM: We obtained a little more information from police at day’s end. The person they detained was arrested and was to be booked into King County Jail for investigation of assault; they believe he was the person involved in the shootout who was “on foot” while the other got away in a car.
8:36 PM: If you’re seeing/hearing the police response at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, police called for backup to break up a reported crowd of at least 100 stunt drivers. They’re ordering them to disperse, and declaring the park now closed to the public. They’re also blocking Harbor Avenue in the Don Armeni vicinity to facilitate the “clearing out,” officers are telling dispatch.
9 PM: Police say only a few are left, so they’re reopening Harbor Avenue.
ADDED 10:12 PM SUNDAY: We requested SPD narrative on the only incident # we could find on the data map clearly related to this; it tells just part of the story, though, mostly about the woman a commenter mentioned seeing taken into custody. Here’s the narrative, with XXXXX redactions by police – it starts with “remarks” regarding what they were told by dispatch:
REMARKS: REVVING ENGINES, POSS DRAG RACING, NO VISUAL, NO MENTION OF WEAPNS, ON WITH ANOTHER PERSON REPORTING THIS, SAID THERE ARE 500+ PEOPLE
At approximately 2015 hours, I was on a call at 1228 HARBOR AV SW (BOAT RAMP)
As I was pulling into the boat ramp for directed patrol, I observed a Maroon GMC Sierra WA-XXXXXXXX doing burnouts and racing doughnuts while I was patrolling the boat ramp.
I initiated a traffic stop on the same vehicle located at 1228 Harbor Av Sw. I contacted the driver who identified herself as XXXX XXXXX XXXX DOB XX/XX/1998. As I requested the driver for her license and proof of insurance, she provided me with her license and stated that she did not have insurance due to the vehicle being new. Records check revealed that XXXX was clear and current with a current license.
I advised XXXX the reason why I conducted a traffic stop, and she stated that she knew and that she would never do it again.
As I waited for my backing officers to arrive due to the large gathering of people, I observed two toddlers in the back seat of the pickup truck. The vehicle was doing burnouts while the toddlers were seated in the back seat of the vehicle.
As My backing officers arrived, I requested XXXX to step out of the vehicle for further investigation. I advised XXXX that what she did was dangerous especially with two toddlers in the back seat.
I advised XXXX that she was going to be placed into custody. I placed XXXX into custody, and I read her Miranda rights. I requested for a female officer to search XXXX, but due to the large group of people and vehicles we needed to clear the scene for officers safety, so I searched XXXX incident to arrest.
Officer XXXX advised me that one of the witnesses stated that they witnessed the whole thing. The unknown witness stated that while the vehicle was doing burnouts, he stated that he saw a male subject drive the vehicle. Then when the officer pulled over the vehicle XXXX and the unknown male subject switched seats before the officer approached the vehicle.
I asked XXXX if she was the one driving the vehicle and XXXX stated that she did even before I initiated a traffic stop.
Sgt. XXXX arrived on scene and screened the incident at the scene.
I transported XXXX to SW Precinct for further processing. Due to XXXX’s cooperation, she was released from the SW Precinct without further incident.
9:05 AM: Police are at Madison Middle School after an incident described in this note sent to families:
Good Morning Madison Families, at approximately 8:25 am students reported a vehicle approached some students in an unfriendly manner in the front of the school and sped away. Seattle Police were immediately notified and we escorted all students inside the building. We are currently sheltering in place and have extra SPS security on site. We will notify you when our SIP is lifted.
The note didn’t describe the vehicle but police in the area are currently looking for one described as a light-colored 4-door Hyundai Elantra.
9:18 AM: The initial dispatch was that a “suspect in a mask pulled up to the school and pointed a gun at them.” Four people in all reported to be in the car (described above), with the armed person described as a “Hispanic male, late teens,” dark clothing including a ski mask-style black face covering.
10:04 AM: No word of any arrest(s) but the investigation continues; commenters report the “shelter in place” has been lifted.
12:55 PM: Just to note, we have of course requested followup info both from the district and from SPD and will add whatever we hear back.
5:45 PM: Still no word from SPD. The district provided us with the message Madison principal Dr. Robert Gary sent to families at day’s end, but it contained no new information about the actual incident.
11:45 PM: Just got the police report narrative. It says, as we wrote above, the initial dispatch was that “suspect with mask pulled up to school, pointed a gun at RP (reporting party), last seen driving northbound on 45th … suspect description Hispanic male, late teens, black balaclava [ski mask], all black clothing.” The report says the person who reported a gun was pointed at them was a Madison staffer, not student. Then 911 got “a call from a parent saying her daughter told her that occupants of the vehicle are trying to sell narcotics to students and threatening to shoot up the school. This complainant has limited information, says daughter is in the office with staff now.”
The officer who wrote the report subsequently arrived at Madison, talked with the principal, who aid “he called after a staff member … advised him that suspects in a white vehicle had pointed a firearm at (the staffer).” The officer wrote that the staffer said they were in their vehicle “approaching the school when (staffer) noticed a 2010s (redacted) sedan with tinted windows parked facing SB on 45 AV SW near SW Hinds ST. XXXXX stated the sedan was obviously stopped speaking to students who were on the sidewalk and (staffer) stated the students appeared scared. (staffer) pulled up behind the vehicle and the vehicle reversed and pulled up beside (staffer, who) yelled at the occupants stating “what’s up?” when the driver of the vehicle pointed what appeared to be a silver firearm in (staffer’s) direction saying “what’s up?” back in an aggressive manner. (Staffer) told the kids to go inside of the school. The vehicle then took off. (Staffer) advised the kids to let the principal know and to call 911 and then assisted in getting the kids inside of the school to lock down. (Staffer) described the suspects as all HMs, with tanned skin, wearing all black clothing and balaclava’s showing their eyes and noses.” The report says two students talked to police, with the principal’s permission, about what they saw; they said the people in the car “offered to sell them marijuana” and “continued to circle the school approximately three times.” The report says these students did not report seeing a gun “but stated they were told by friends that the occupants had firearms.” It also says officers “were unable to locate the teen whose parent called in stating that the suspects threatened to shoot up the school” and that “the principal was unaware of a student making these remarks.” That’s where the report ends; the only other info we’ve received is from a district spokesperson who says “an SPS Security Division Lead was placed at the school after the incident occurred and stayed for the remainder of the school day.”
The Seattle City Council‘s Public Safety Committee just got an update on Seattle Police hiring and staffing. The summary from analyst Greg Doss: “Huge increase in hiring, but that takes a while to translate to cops on the street.”
Currently, Doss told the councilmembers, they’re hiring 14 officers a month, which he described as an “unprecedented” pace, “even in good years.” In the first quarter of the year, he elaborated, SPD had 12 more hires and 7 fewer separations than projected, and the department’s already “meeting its goals for the entire year.” (The reduction in number of departures was highlighted again late in the briefing.)
One area isn’t improving, though – increasing the number of women on the force. Applicants and hires are running about 15 percent female, Doss said, so new Chief Shon Barnes has directed that female candidates all get a “second look” to “be sure we’re not missing something.” The department at one point had a declared goal to have a 30 percent female staff by 2030 but is nowhere near that goal.
Other stats shown this morning included the staffing breakdown – the number of officers on “911 response” has held fairly steady, albeit at a level that’s two-thirds of five years ago.
There also were some precinct specific stats, including staffing (no elaboration, but it was mentioned that SPD is currently conducting a “precinct staffing study:):
And also response times, which in general are improving, in part because of a change in categorization of what’s a “Priority 1” call – in some, Doss said, they realized that callers in some categories weren’t necessarily in immediate danger. That meant more calls are “Priority 2,” and those response times are improving too – possibly, briefers said, because the availability of CARE responders means officers can turn some incidents over to them and get back to 911 responses sooner.
The increase in hiring and reduction in separations means that the years of “we have money for more positions than we can fill” are over – now SPD is hiring more than it’s budgeted for, but councilmembers were told SPD does not expect to ask for budget supplementation until later in the year. Right now, they’re still relying on overtime to reach minimum staffing on most if not all shifts, councilmembers were told. But the briefers say right now, the staffing level is on a road to recovery: This year’s hiring could re-fill as many as 70+ of the vacancies left when 300+ officers left in the early 2020s.
Committee chair Councilmember Bob Kettle wrapped up the briefing by saying he feels encouraged but wary of mixed messages to the public since, as noted above, increased hiring pace now won’t mean increased officer numbers on the street for a while. He also said it’s vital to keep up the pace on other things – particularly police reform.
(P.S. If you’ve got questions about Southwest Precinct operations, remember that its Precinct Advisory Council has an open community meeting next Tuesday (June 3) at High Point Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW), 6:30 pm.)
See today’s full briefing presentation slide deck, from which the graphics above were pulled, by going here.
9:45 PM: Some are asking about a sizable police response at a apartment building on the east side of 35th south of Morgan. According to emergency radio, a standoff has developed with a suspect in a possible domestic-violence situation. Updates as we get them.
10:23 PM: Officers have just told dispatch they’re closing 35th between Morgan and Holly because of this situation.
(Added: Photo by Tim Durkan)
11:03 PM: Haven’t heard any updates, but 35th is still closed off as of a short time ago, Tim Durkan reported in a comment.
5:46 AM SATURDAY: We don’t know what time it ended, but SPD has released this summary indicating it ended with an arrest:
At 2040 hours, we received a call from the victim stating that the suspect had taken her car keys and had a kitchen knife to his throat saying that he would kill himself if she took the children and left. Further investigation led us to learn that the day before the suspect had threatened to kill the victim. The victim had advised SPD she had locked herself and two children in the back bedroom. The victim stated she could hear the suspect on the phone telling whoever it was he was going to have to kill her. HNT, SWAT, and K9 responded. SWAT was able to use a ladder and remove the victim and children from the bedroom window. A search warrant was completed, and SWAT was able to take the suspect into custody without incident. The suspect was booked into KCJ for Felony Harassment.
That’s one of our photos from a law-enforcement tactical drill off West Seattle shores in 2016. The King County Sheriff’s Office has sent this advance alert of something similar planned for this Thursday:
The King County Sheriff’s Office TAC-30 and Seattle SWAT teams will be conducting a maritime training exercise in West Seattle in support of our regional transit partners on May 22nd, 2025 from 7 am-7 pm. There will be Officers and Deputies near Jack Block Park and the West Seattle Water Taxi Terminal (1660 Harbor Ave SW) wearing SWAT equipment and uniforms. There will also be several police helicopters and vessels operating in the area. There will be no interruption to the normal Water Taxi schedule for commuters. We have made every effort to ensure aircraft flight paths stay over the water as much as possible to minimize any disruptions. King County’s TAC-30 and Seattle SWAT are constantly training to provide the citizens of King County with quality police services.
It’s continued to be a busy night for West Seattle police. Right now they’re at one confirmed incident 0 the 16th/Holden 7-Eleven, was reported to have been robbed a short time ago. No weapons, but the robbers got away with “many bottles of alcohol” and cash. Description for all three: Black, male, 16-20, face masks, dark clothing.
Police are also still looking for evidence that would confirm gunfire in either or both of two places where many people reported hearing it within the past hour – Arbor Heights and Lincoln Park. Officers have checked multiple potential locations in both but so far we haven’t heard any reports of them finding evidence (casings, property damage, injured people).
2:32 AM: Police are heading to an apartment building in the 7700 block of Delridge Way SW, after what was called in as “accidental” gunfire. According to the dispatch, the caller – who was described as having a concealed-pistol license – reported they dropped their gun and it fired. A resident in the apartment below theirs, meantime, reported hearing gunfire and then finding “a bullet in their ceiling.” No injuries reported, so far.
ADDED 2:25 PM: We just obtained the report narrative and are pasting it verbatim (names redacted by SPD). Note that it says the gun “fell” rather than “was dropped”:
The following call is recorded on the MDT:
1 MIN AGO, RP SAYS THEIR WPN ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGED WHEN IT FELL, NO INJ IN UNIT, RP UNSURE IF ANYONE OUTSIDE OF UNIT WAS INJ
I arrived at 7XXX Delridge Way SW, Apt XXX, where I spoke with the reporting party and owner of the discharged firearm, identified as XXXX. According to XXXX, he had just returned home from work and placed his firearm, a XXXX (XXXX), on the side of the bed while retrieving a case for it from the closet. XXXX stated that the firearm fell off the bed and discharged into the ground.
I observed where the bullet penetrated the rug and the floor. Pictures were taken and uploaded as evidence. Responding officers spoke with the downstairs neighbors, identified as XXXX, who live directly below XXXX.
XXXX heard the firearm discharge and reported that the bullet came through her roof into one of her unoccupied rooms. The bullet struck a dresser and came to rest at floor level. XXXX lives with XXXX and XXXX, all of whom were home during this incident. No one was injured.
I seized XXXX firearm and entered it into evidence at the Southwest Precinct, along with the spent cartridge.
(WSB photo)
8 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police have 16th blocked for about a block (updated) between Henderson ad Barton. Neighbors believe it’s a barricaded-person situation; we’re working to find out more.
(Reader photo)
9 PM: Finally found archived audio from the original dispatch. Police responded around 5 pm to a report that a woman’s boyfriend had threatened to shoot her. She is reported to have since gotten out of the apartment safely, while the suspect remained inside.
9:16 PM: As commenters have noted, SWAT officers are now on scene too.
9:34 PM: Not resolved yet. But if you’re in the area, you might have heard loudspeaker warnings, which could eventually be followed by a tactical device that sounds explosive.
9:58 PM: They didn’t wind up doing that. But according to radio exchanges, the suspect is reported to have just surrendered and is in custody. Officers have also said they have a warrant to search the apartment, so they’ll likely be on scene a while longer.
11:59 PM: We’ve since obtained this incident summary from SPD:
At approximately 4:52 p.m., a dispatcher received a report of domestic violence threats involving a 51-year-old male suspect in the 9000 block of 16th Avenue SW. Two adult females and a child were able to safely flee the apartment without injury. The suspect barricaded himself inside the apartment and refused to exit.
As a safety precaution, nearby apartments were evacuated, and surrounding streets were closed to ensure the safety of community members. A warrant for entry was obtained for the residents to arrest the suspect.
Police coordination involved Southwest Patrol officers, Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT), and SWAT, made a plan to make entry into the apartment. Officers maintained open communication with the suspect and eventually the suspect surrendered exiting the apartment and was arrested. (He was) transported to King County Jail.
ADDED THURSDAY AFTERNOON: SPD further clarifies that the suspect is accused of threatening to shoot his girlfriend’s daughter. She got out first. Her mother, police say, was grabbed and shoved by the suspect, but then also managed to escape, and after that, the standoff began. We’re trying to find out the suspect’s current status.
1:08 PM: Still in jail.
MONDAY: The suspect was released from jail tonight after five days. It appears he may have been charged with misdemeanors.
Four quick notes from local police, conveyed by Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite:
PERSONAL SAFETY CLASS: Just announced for May 20, with registration open now:
Date: Tuesday, May 20th
Time : 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: Virtual
Register : Virtual Personal Safety Class May 20th 5-7 PMAbout the Class
Learn proactive tips and steps you can take to enhance your personal safety taught by Seattle police officers and employees.
Training goals:
-Share commonsense safety tips to decrease the odds of being a victim
-Know the important role your instincts and gut reactions play
-Discover potentially dangerous situations and how to avoid them
-Learn to make a safety plan based on different environmentsNotes:
-This is a facilitated discussion and lecture about crime prevention and safety.
-This is not a self-defense class.
-This class is open to individuals of all ages and most appropriate for those who are at least 14 years of age or older. For that reason, children should not attend.
(WSB photo: SW Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair in foreground with Chief Shon Barnes at March’s SWPAC meeting)
NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING WITH POLICE: You’ll find police at most community-council meetings, but there’s also the quarterly Precinct Advisory Council meeting as a place to bring questions/concerns. The date for the next one is a day earlier than previously announced – it’s now set for June 3, 6:30 pm, at High Point Neighborhood House (6400 SW Sylvan Way). Here’s our coverage of the SWPAC’s previous meeting.
ONLINE COMMUNITY POLICE DIALOGUE: Another way to talk with local police, as announced today:
SW Precinct Community Police Dialogues –
Monday June 9th & Monday August 11th. Both at 5:30 pm via Zoom.
Sign up: publicsafetysurvey.org/mcpp-community-police-dialogues.html
DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY TALLY: The Southwest Precinct had the top tally in Saturday’s Drug Take-Back Day; the much-larger North Precinct collected 51.35 pounds of unwanted/unneeded/unusable medications, but SW received 60 pounds. Watch for the next date in October.
Story by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Westwood neighbors and senior residents of Village Green West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) gathered on Wednesday night for a well-attended community-safety conversation with Seattle Police, to share thoughts and concerns as it relates to challenges with crime and recurring problematic activity in the area.
Residents of the Village Green community, who live across the street from Westwood Village and near Roxhill Park and a Metro transit center, shared their own observations and reports of individuals and groups repeatedly engaging in suspicious and criminal activity nearby. This has included having people coming onto the property, openly using drugs and other criminal activity, being loud and threatening, and gathering/camping in the park and starting fires, among other reports. Neighbors and residents also expressed concerns with shootings in the area, and ongoing crime at Westwood’s stores.
The evening’s featured guest was SPD crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite from the Southwest Precinct, along with a panel that included community liaison officer German Barreto, crime prevention specialist Matt Brown, and community service officers Jamie Heslin and Helene Masyr. The officers acknowledge the recurring issues and challenges with criminal and nuisance activity in the area, and encouraged neighbors to continue to stay involved and to report any troubling activity they see, to help SPD respond accordingly.
After brief opening remarks by Eva Thomas, executive director of Village Green, Satterwhite told residents and neighbors that for her and her colleagues, their goal is “to help you feel safe, and to help you know what to do if you don’t feel safe.” She added that she appreciated the invitation, having been to Village Green “5 or 6 times previously” and reiterating that she wants to be a direct-line resource for neighbors, saying “if you take nothing else away from tonight, at least take my business card!” and to contact her with any questions or ongoing concerns. Her contact information is Jennifer.Satterwhite@seattle.gov and 206-471-2849.
While the evening featured serious stories and frustrations, attendees also noted the strong spirit of community and gratitude for law enforcement, and even a moment of levity during Satterwhite’s remarks about SPD stepping up their recruitment efforts for new officers, saying that “if you know anyone who would like to apply, and can pass the exams, please do — there’s no age limit!” which brought big laughs in the room full of Village Green’s senior residents.
Here’s a summary of discussions and remarks from the meeting:
Read MoreAfter several 911 calls about suspected gunfire, police just told dispatch they’ve found “rounds” at 29th/Brandon. No reports of injuries.
Two incidents at West Seattle’s biggest parks:
ALKI ARREST: Police arrested a 30-year-old man early today and explained the incident via SPD Blotter:
At about 6:12 a.m., dispatchers received a report of a man with a weapon harassing females near Alki Avenue Southwest and 63rd Avenue Southwest. Officers responded and found a man matching the caller’s description walking south on Alki Avenue Southwest. Police detained him, identified him as the suspect, and took him into custody. Officers recovered the knife at the scene.
A 48-year-old woman told police the suspect had approached her earlier near the Alki Bathhouse while she walked her dog. She said he shouted something unintelligible and growled at her before walking away when she told him to back off. Police said the man later approached a 16-year-old and two 17-year-old girls, yelling at them, brandishing a fixed-blade knife, and making disturbing comments about sexual assault and the devil. The girls stepped back to distance themselves, and a witness intervened before the suspect walked away. No one was injured during the incident. Officers booked the man into King County Jail for investigation of malicious harassment.
Reminder, the Alki Community Council will focus on beach safety at its meeting tomorrow night, 6:30 pm at Alki Bathhouse, as previewed here.
LINCOLN PARK ARREST: A reader asked about a police response in the Lincoln Park north lot around dusk last night. We requested the report narrative today. The report says two officers noticed a “suspicious vehicle” – a Hyundai – in the park lot. Two people appeared to be asleep inside; ignition damage was visible, along with a beer can and narcotics pipe. The two, a man and woman, were awakened; the driver turned out to have a suspended license out of Burien, and showed signs of impairment, according to the report. Police had trouble determining the car’s status; it wasn’t reported stolen, and the driver claimed he had bought it about a week ago. It was registered to someone in Puyallup wh told them by phone that he had sold it months ago, but the driver found in it at Lincoln Park wasn’t that person. Police eventually booked the driver for investigation of DUI. The woman was not suspected of any crime – she told police the man had picked her up off the street and invited her “to party” – and was released. He, meantime, is still in jail.
11:38 AM: As the saying goes, there’s a first time for everything, and this is the first time we’ve received an announcement like this for publication. Sent by Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite:
The SPD Training Unit will be hosting a DUI Green Lab on Friday, May 9th.
We are looking for volunteers (Age 21 and over) to consume marijuana and allow Officers to practice Standard Field Sobriety Tests on them.
This is a great opportunity for Officers to learn from consumers in a controlled environment; and for the volunteers to learn about their own tolerances, and learn about the testing process for DUIs.
Volunteers will consume marijuana in whatever form they prefer (edibles, vape, smoking, etc.) and will be paired up with an Officer in the class.
The Officer will observe how the volunteer’s impairment changes over time and the Officer will run some basic tests on the volunteer, to simulate DUI testing.
The volunteers would be asked to arrive at our SPD Training Facility in SODO at approximately 9:30am, and the training should be finished by about 4pm.
We ask the volunteers to provide their own product (with receipts, if possible).
We will provide lunch and snacks.
We also ask the volunteers not to drive to or from the training, but we can provide transportation, if necessary.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering can contact me via email (Jennifer.Satterwhite@seattle.gov) and/or via text 206-471-2849.
The training is relevant because an increasing number of DUIs involve this type of impairment.
5:04 PM: Jennifer says the volunteer spots are all full, adding, “Thank you, West Seattle!”
(WSB file photo, SPD at Alki on a summer night)
As we’ve reported, the city is moving toward an earlier closing time for Alki Beach Park this spring/summer – and beyond. But what else is planned to address safety concerns as warmer weather brings more people to the regionally renowned beach? The Alki Community Council invites you to this Thursday’s monthly gathering, this time at Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki), to hear from and talk with a panel of people working on the issue. Here’s the ACC announcement:
Reminder: Alki Community Council Meeting – Thursday, April 17th
Special Summer Safety Prep Meeting* New Location: Alki Bathhouse
* New Start: 6:30-8 pm (In-person only)We’re switching things up this month as we take it to the beach—right where it matters most. Our meeting at Alki Bathhouse is all about the beach: how we can protect it, and the people who live and visit here.
As we prepare for a busy summer with environmental and ongoing safety concerns—amid a 300+ officer shortage—you’ll hear directly from those on the front lines of guardianship of both people and our parks.
What makes this meeting special? We’re bringing together voices from 8th grade changemakers to top city leaders—all committed to keeping Alki safe, clean, and cared for.
Speaker Lineup:
Explorer West Middle School 8th Graders – Youth-led action item.
Captain Krista Bair, SPD SW Precinct commander
Jon Jainga, Seattle Parks Security & Emergency Mgmt.
Tracy Cramer, SPU Clean City / Litter Abatement
Seattle Park Rangers
Dave Delgado, Seal Sitters –– Wildlife crisis responseBring your questions and concerns, and join us to help keep the place we love safe and beautiful.
11:49 PM TUESDAY: For the second time in three nights, police are investigating gunfire reported in North Delridge. This time they got reports of gunfire outside the Youngstown Flats apartment complex at 4040 26th SW. So far officers report finding one bullet. Someone might have been injured but taken to a hospital before authorities arrived – dispatch told police one caller claimed someone had been hit, and though they didn’t find anyone at the scene, now they’ve learned a gunshot victim has arrived at Harborview Medical Center. (Added: An officer went to the hospital and later told dispatch it was indeed related. We hope to find out more later this morning.)
NOON WEDNESDAY: SPD tells us the report on this incident isn’t complete so they cannot provide additional information yet.
4:44 PM WEDNESDAY: We checked back and now have the redacted narrative:
On 04/01/2025 at approximately 2331 hours, I was dispatched to a 911 call of a SHOTS fired call at [4000 BLK] 26 AV SW.
Call on screen read: “1 MIN AGO, IN THE OLD BARTELLS PARKING LOT, 10 SHOTS HEARD, ONE VEH SPED OFF, 5 TEENS IN THE PARKING LOT, BELLIGERENT”
Upon arrival, one of the witnesses (XXXX XXXX) was contacted by a backing officer. XXXX began relating that he was smoking a cigarette outside of his apartment at [4000 BLK] 26 AV SW, when he heard a commotion Northeast of his location at a parking lot north of his apartment complex. XXXX continued relating that there was a verbal dispute between two juvenile subjects outside of a vehicle that had its doors open, and another female was trying to intervene from inside the car.
XXXX related that then ONE shot was discharged and another 911 caller related [hearing] “Take me to the hospital, I just got shot.” Both subjects that were arguing, entered the same vehicle (described as Gold/Beige in color Older model Sedan with possible suspension issues) and they fled the location toward DELRIDGE WY.
DISPATCH advised that a gunshot wound victim had been dropped off at HMC. Another backing unit was requested to respond to the location to interview the victim.
GVRU was contacted to screen the call and requested officers to process the scene. Only ONE UNSPENT round was located in the parking lot, along with an empty can of liquor. Both of these items were collected and entered into evidence.
GVRU is the Gun Violence Reduction Unit. The report had no information on the shooting victim or their condition.
9:17 PM: Police tell dispatch they are finding “shell casings all over” the 5200 block of 26th SW, after dozens of 911 calls reporting gunfire. No word of injuries or damage so far. Police are closing parts of 26th and Brandon in the area while they investigate.
9:21 PM: Police have now heard from a resident reporting some kind of bullet damage on 25th SW, and one officer told dispatch this may have followed a “large group attending some kind of vigil.” … A second residence and a vehicle are reported to have bullet damage too.
10:32 PM: And more reports of damage (in comments below, too).
12:28 AM: More than three hours after the gunfire, police are wrapping up evidence collection and will be taking down the crime-scene tape and reopening the streets.
7:26 AM: Here’s what SPD just posted:
Seattle police detectives are investigating a shooting shortly after 9 p.m. last night in West Seattle.
On [March] 30, patrol officers responded to multiple reports of shots fired and property damage near 26th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Brandon Street. When police arrived, all involved parties left the area. They did not locate any victims with injuries, no suspects, and no cooperative witnesses.
Officers determined that a large crowd of people were attending a vigil, likely for one of the recent South Seattle homicide victims earlier in the morning. Responding officers located over 100 fired rounds spanning several blocks around the vigil. There was bullet damage to a nearby RV trailer, a house, and they found a damaged, abandoned vehicle.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation. Detectives with the Gun Violence Reduction Unit responded to process the scene.
If anyone has any information, please call 911, or the SPD Violent Crimes Tipline at 206-233-5000. Incident Number: 2025-85095
ADDED 11:28 AM: An area resident sent us audio and photos:
Below is the spot where the vigil was being held:
Another photo shows that if you look at the grouping of candles from above, the red ones form “24” and the white ones form four letters starting with KAY. If anyone else has photos etc. to add, you can do so anonymously and without address specifics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you.
1:56 PM: At least one commenter suggested seeking comment from City Councilmember Rob Saka, who lives in the area and who is vice chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee. Here’s what he told us:
On Sunday night my family and West Seattle neighbors experienced a terrifying incident. Over a hundred gunshot rounds were fired just outside of my home – practically in my backyard. My 10-year-old daughter was awake at the time and heard everything. After the shooting, I had to wake up my two youngest children for the sole purpose of ensuring that they were safe. It has left my family, my neighbors in Delridge, and many people across our broader West Seattle community feeling traumatized.
No one in Seattle should have to be exposed to this. The sense of safety and peace in our homes and neighborhoods is a fundamental right, and what occurred last night is simply unacceptable.
I want to assure my constituents that I am working closely with the Seattle Police Department as they investigate this incident.
While I’m grateful for the swift response of our Seattle Police officers, it’s clear that we need to do more. My constituents are fed up with the rampant crime and gun violence throughout the city. Certain communities, such as Delridge, continue to bear the brunt of Seattle’s gun violence crisis.
This incident underscores the urgent need for continued and intensified efforts to address gun violence and enhance public safety across our city. I have proposed a public safety resolution up for a vote by the full Council tomorrow, and the Council is also considering a bill to regulate after-hour activities at unregulated clubs that have been sites of regular shootings and violence.
Moving forward, my focus remains on supporting the community and working collaboratively with first responders, local stakeholders, and city leaders to find meaningful solutions that will prevent such incidents from happening again and again.
If you have any information about this incident, I strongly encourage you to call 911, or immediately contact the SPD Violent Crimes Tipline at 206-233-5000.
11:37 AM: The doors are open at a first-of-its-kind event inside the biggest vacant spot at Westwood Village (former Bed Bath Beyond/Spirit Halloween) – a Resource Fair organized by Seattle Police, primarily their Community Service Officer team. They have gathered more than 40 organizations, agencies, and other participants here, until 3 pm; we obtained and published this full list last night. We’ll add more info when back at HQ.
ADDED 12:15 PM: If you approach from the southwest WWV parking lot, you’ll see the Care-A-Van, but most of the medical services – blood pressure/blood sugar check, sign up for vaccinations, etc. – are provided inside. And just inside the main entrance, you can meet some of the SPD CSOs making this happen:
CSOs are non-enforcement, non-sworn officers, and connecting people with resources is what they’re all about. In our photo are CSOs Heslin, Phelps, and Masyr. We walked the aisles of tables and it’s truly a wide array of possibilities (even info on how to get free vaccinations for pets). We also learned about some agencies/organizations we’d never heard of before. Here’s one example – they’re at the table where you can get free Narcan, no questions asked, so you can have it on hand in case you encounter someone overdosing:
This table answers the question a commenter asked after one of our previews – “what service is the Medical Examiner’s Office going to offer?” In short, this is one way to try to reduce the need for the ME’s main job (investigating deaths). At left is Emily Dalgo, coordinator of the ME’s Overdose Fatality Review (based on a national model) team. People are dying of overdoses every day, and OFR talks about strategies to fight that. One is community outreach, and that’s why she’s at the Resource Fair, along with volunteers from the Public Health Reserve Corps (we hadn’t heard of that either).
Other people we talked to included a rep from State Labor and Industries, offering lots of info about workers’ rights. Even if you don’t think you need “resources,” this is an interesting educational event, again, continuing until 3 pm.
As noted this afternoon in updates on our original report, there have been two developments today relating to Wednesday’s incident in which police shot and killed a man outside the Southwest Precinct. First, in line with department policy, as reiterated by Police Chief Shon Barnes in his briefing at the scene, SPD has released some of the video from the incident (warning, graphic):
After an onscreen-text introduction, video from outside the precinct lot shows the man driving this vehicle up to a Home Depot parking space outside the precinct’s north/west lot.
(WSB photo, Wednesday)
He is seen getting out and climbing the fence to get into the lot, where department vehicles are kept. From there, the SPD edited video switches to officers’ body-worn cameras, as they encounter the man, tell him to leave the lot; he walks away from them for a while, even up to a gate, then turns to face their way. They repeatedly tell him to drop the knife; then he starts moving toward them, picking up speed at one point, and that’s when one officer apparently fires a “less than lethal” weapon shortly before another fires his gun. The video also shows what police say is the knife the man had.
Meantime, as noted earlier in an update to our original report, the man was identified this afternoon by the King County Medical Examiner as 36-year-old Urban A. Seay. His cause of death is listed as “multiple gunshot wounds” and ruled “homicide” (which doesn’t necessarily mean it’s been decreed a crime, pending further investigation, but it means a person has been killed by someone else). And in the post accompanying the video, SPD has identified the officer who killed him, saying that “Kyle Hay, 11 years of service, has been placed on paid administrative leave following this incident, which is standard procedure.” SPD says its investigation continues, and also included a reminder of resources for those with thoughts of self-harm, including the 988 hotline.
ADDED: For those interested in data, we found SPD’s dashboard here for data about past incidents in which officers shot people.
12:23 PM: Developing story at the Southwest Precinct: According to emergency radio, officers were dealing with a man armed with a knife in the Southwest Precinct lot, after a report of a possibly suicidal man in the area. They were trying to get the man under control with a non-lethal “40,” but reported that he continued to approach them with the knife, and they shot him, calling “officer-involved shooting” over the air. Medics are on their way.
(Added: WSB photos)
12:28 PM: Police told dispatch that no officers are hurt. … Over SFD radio, responders describe the man who was shot as about 30 years old, with three gunshot wounds, now getting CPR.
12:33 PM: Officers have told dispatch that SW Webster is being blocked at Delridge (that’s the main street for access to the precinct).
12:45 PM: WSB’s Anne Higuera at the scene reports that the medic unit with the man who was shot has left, with lights but not a siren. The perimeter to keep media and community members has been moved further back, too.
12:59 PM: We’ve confirmed that new Police Chief Shon Barnes has arrived at the scene. He was just at thr precinct last night for what turned out to be his first Seattle community meeting (WSB coverage here).
1:33 PM: In our photo above are CSI detectives who just arrived at the scene. A few moments after our photo, they put up a tarp blocking that view. No confirmation yet of whether the man survived – nor whether he was indeed in the medic unit that left. SPD promises an eventual media briefing at the scene.
2:13 PM: The chief has just finished briefing media. He says the man has died. We’ll add the briefing video upon return to HQ.
2:40 PM: Above is our video of Chief Barnes’s seven-minute briefing, including Q&A (added: he confirmed, in response to our question, that this happened in the secure area of the precinct lot, where the department vehicles are parked, but didn’t know how the man got in). The only other notable update besides the confirmation that the man was killed is that the shots were fired by one officer. (SPD also has posted to its Blotter website, noting something else the chief said, that per department policy, video from the incident will be released within 72 hours.)
4:11 PM: A reader called to point out that SW Webster is still closed at Delridge.
ADDED 3:38 PM FRIDAY: The King County Medical Examiner identifies the man who was killed as 36-year-old Urban A. Seay. Cause of death is listed as “multiple gunshot wounds” and ruled “homicide” (which means a person was killed, not necessarily that it was decreed a crime).
4:39 PM FRIDAY: SPD meantime has released video from the incident. Here’s the direct link; we’re also writing a separate story.
(WSB photos by Dave Gershgorn)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Standing in front of a packed community room at the Southwest Precinct tonight, Shon Barnes revealed that it was his first community meeting since becoming Seattle Police Chief a month and a half ago.
He also revealed a working title for the style of crimefighting and crime prevention he intends his department to practice:”Seattle-Centric Policing.”
It’s a cup-half-full sort of style – he closed by saying that he doesn’t think about SPD being hundreds of officers short, but rather “1,000 officers strong.” Here’s our video of his entire speech:
Barnes began by introducing himself as a former public-school teacher (US history and world civilization for high-school students). “I felt like that was my calling.”
His path into law enforcement began when he lost a star student to gun violence – not as a victim, but as a perpetrator. In trying to debrief what had happened, Barnes said, a school resource officer suggested he should go into police work. Inspired by the community-policing emphasis in Greensboro, North Carolina, he moved there and worked there for 20 years, then to Chicago to work in “civil oversight,” and then he was recruited for the job in Madison, Wisconsin, where he had been working for four years when recruited to come here, getting a call from a longtime friend, former SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole.
In considering Seattle, Barnes said, he looked at “do they believe in community, are they resilient, what kind of support would I get from the mayor and council?” He was impressed with the answers, and even though he was “one year from retiring,” he took the leap. “This is where I want to end my career.”
He laid out priorities, while insisting “these are not the chief’s priorities, they are the department’s priorities”: Crime prevention, community engagement, retention/recruitment topped the list. (He said he’s always recruiting, everywhere he goes. And he noted that the first officer he swore in here was a transfer from Madison.) He said he’s insistent on continuous improvement, “every single day getting better and better.”
His “Seattle-Centric” concept seems to be deeply local-focused – he gave an example of fighting the Kia/Hyundai thefts in Madison by setting up a “crime-pattern tracker,” triggering a different kind of response if four cars were stolen in 10 days within a half-mile area. Understanding how crime “operates” helps police “understand significant incidents a little better.”
Precinct captains are going to be “very very important in Seattle-Centric Policing,” he said, with a nod to Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair (photo above; she spoke earlier in the meeting, and we’ll have that information later in this report).
Then he took questions. We recorded that separately:
First question, from Alki Community Council president Charlotte Starck (photo below)\, was about dealing with juvenile offenders.
Barnes said “we have to be mindful” of the fact that sometimes incarceration can do more harm than good. Second question, staffing: Barnes said it was improving, with 20 new officers in the academy now and 15 in the next class. He also said he’d like to make “some changes” in the recruiting process but he has to “consult with the union contract” first. Academy capacity is no longer a problem, though, Barnes said, noting he’s been told “SPD is a priority” at the academy. Next question was about traffic enforcement, particularly speeding; Capt. Bair spoke extensively about street concerns and the fact there is some traffic enforcement going on between dispatches.
Rebuilding trust with police was at the heart of a comment made by an attendee from South Park, where people remain wary about any relationship between SPD and ICE; Barnes declared that there is none, and mentioned his recently posted statement to that effect. Building trust “is like building a sandcastle 1 grain at a time,” he said.
On the flip side, another attendee wanted to know about showing appreciation. “Can we bring cookies?” Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite said any “donations” can be made through her. The wide-ranging questions and comments continued, fron where officers live – one who lives in Delridge said the SW Precinct has more officers “who live where they work” than others – to gratitude for the data SPD puts on line.
Speaking of data, earlier in the meeting, Capt. Bair recounted precinct-wide crime stats as part of her opening remarks to and about the newly relaunched group:
*Crimes against people (assault, for example) are down, 75 so far this year compared to one year earlier
*Homicides are down 100 percent, since West Seattle/South Park have had none so far, compared to one by this time in 2-24
*Robberies down, 26 year to date compared to 31
*Aggravated assaults, 41 compared to 58
*Property crimes such as arson have doubled – 2 compared to 1
*Burglaries are down, 117 compared to 189
*Motor-vehicle thefts are down, 132 compared to 21
*Confirmed gunfire (the subject of weekly SPD commander meetings, she noted) is down, 19 this year, 25 last year
*One category that’s up – theft “and all larceny,” 431 vs. 411, though Bair said, “we are doing really good stuff at Westwood Village, working with the loss-prevention group.”
Also from the meeting:
PRECINCT ADVISORY COUNCIL’S NEW STRUCTURE: Ella McRae, community builder in High Point, is the new community co-chair. Members, as introduced during the meeting, are mostly leaders or members of established community groups in West Seattle and South Park (which have dwihdled in number in recent years, as some disbanded without new leadership to carry the torch, though a few have found it and gained new energy and momentum). They hope the group will be able to meet quarterly.
EVENTS COMING UP: Westwood Village Resource Fair 11 am-3 pm Saturday in the ex-Bed Bath Beyond, with more than 40 service providers participating; Coffee with a Cop at High Point QED Coffee 10-noon Monday; Drug Take-Back Day at the precinct, 10 am-2 pm Saturday, April 26.
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