West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
Friday update: William’s family has found him and thanks the community for their help.
Earlier:Read More
ORIGINAL SATURDAY NIGHT REPORT: Police are looking for an injured driver who walked away after crashing on West Marginal Way near Andover [map]. The man is described as white, about 6′, 230 pounds, gray sweatshirt, and jeans, seen walking southbound on 16th. Blood in the car suggests his head may have hit the windshield, police reported, and they’ve found a “long gun” in the car. Also, police have told dispatch that there’s a considerable “debris field” from the crash, including barriers along the bike lane, with fluid going into the drain, and SDOT is apparently going to be delayed in getting there to help with cleanup because of an incident elsewhere in the city.
MONDAY MORNING: We followed up with SPD. They never did find the driver; meantime, neither the car nor gun was reported as stolen.
Thanks for the tips. Admiral Safeway is open again after a threat determined to be unfounded. Here’s what SPD spokesperson Det. Judinna Gulpan: “Police responded to a reported bomb threat (there) around 7:00 a.m. Officers arrived and found most occupants of the business had already evacuated. An employee reported a suspect called and stated an incendiary device was placed inside the business and would be detonated if the suspect was not provided what was requested. Police completed a search of the business and did not locate a device. Business has reopened and there were no reported injuries.”
10:40 AM SUNDAY: Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos of that scene outside 3622 California SW this morning. The crash happened around 4:30 am; Theresa tells us what she saw:
I was awakened by a crash, and then screaming, and loud arguing. A sedan crashed into the light pole at mid block 3622 California, in front of Manning Place Apartments, and the Barber Shop. The pole stopped the car from hitting the building, but car is up on the sidewalk diagonally.
Two men got out of the car and ran away. A bicylist convinced the young men to come back. One came back, then eventually, the other. Not clear who was driving, but one of the young men. I know first aid, so I ran down and helped the girl stay still and talked to her. She said she hurt her legs and her teeth hurt.
Listening to audio from the dispatch and response, SFD was called to treat her; Theresa says she was taken away in an ambulance. City Light also was called. Theresa says a new pole’s been delivered, but the car hasn’t yet been removed.
Since the wrecked car is a Hyundai Elantra, you might wonder about its status. So far from recorded incident audio we’ve learned that it had not been reported as stolen but its plates were expired and registered to someone in SeaTac. But that’s where the audio trail has ended, so we probably won’t be able to access further info from police until tomorrow.
10:26 AM MONDAY: Police told us today the car was not stolen – it belongs to a relative of one of the occupants. No one has been cited so far as police were not able to determine who was driving.
7:06 PM: Thanks for the tips. Guardian One is over Arbor Heights right now and police are on the ground; we’re on our way to find out what’s going on and will update as soon as we have information.
7:16 PM: This is a King County Sheriff’s Office operation and deputies won’t comment, referring us to their media unit (which we’re trying to reach). Their search appears to be focused just outside the city limits, near Seola Pond.
7:38 PM: We reached KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Eric White, and here’s what he tells us: “Currently KCSO Units are at the location of 2600 block of SW 104th Street on a reported burglary in progress. Guardian 1 is assisting in a search for any suspects of the burglary. Currently one person has been detained. Two others are still being looked for in the area.” He does not have any descriptive information on the two others who are at large.
7:48 PM: An update from Sgt. White: “The detained subject was released and patrol was not able to find any more suspects.”
If you haven’t already answered this year’s Seattle Public Safety Survey, researchers at Seattle University hope you’ll do it sometime before month’s end:
Every year, Seattle U researchers conduct this community survey “to try and assess the main concerns of Seattle residents and convey those concerns to the police department. We want to make sure we hear from as much of the West Seattle residents as possible.” Here’s the direct link – use the dropdown on that page to choose which of 11 languages you want to use. If you’re interested – here are the results of last year’s citywide survey.
9:50 AM: Thanks for the tips. Police have blocked off 46th SW north of Admiral. We just went to the scene ti ask what’s happening. They tell us they’re in a standoff with a domestic-violence suspect.
10:41 AM: We asked the SPD media office if they could tell us anything further. They say this started as an assault call around 8 am; the victim “sustained a non-life-threatening injury.” Officers at the scene trying to arrest the suspect include negotiators.
11:52 AM: Not yet resolved.
2:38 PM: Commenters report police have left. We’re following up on how this was resolved.
6:34 PM: While an SPD spokesperson confirmed that the situation was over, they hadn’t yet received a final report on how it ended. All we can verify independently is that apparently no one was hurt, as there were no SFD medical responses in the area. We’ll ask again tomorrow for that report and will update here when we finally get info.
ADDED 11:53 AM WEDNESDAY: Here’s the summary we received from SPD after another inquiry this morning:
Police responded to a report of an assault in the 2300 block of 46 AV SW around 8:00 a.m. Victim sustained non-life-threatening injury from the reported assault. Police were at the location effecting the arrest of the barricaded suspect. HNT [Hostage Negotiating Team] was on scene assisting with communications.
Police did not make physical contact with the suspect in the home because officers did not want to escalate the crisis the suspect was experiencing.
The victim was relocated to another residence and did not return to the property.
Officers established PC [probable cause] to arrest for Assault 4 and Harassment, but no physical arrest was made. Domestic Violence Unit detectives are investigating.
Just received from SPD crime-prevention coordinator Sarah Lawson:
We will be holding a Personal Safety Class on November 9th from 6 PM to 8 PM virtually. We will discuss things such as awareness, trusting our instincts, making a safety plan, how to stay safe in different situations, how to call 911, etc. The class is suitable for anyone 14 years old and older who would like to learn some basic tips and tricks to live, learn, and work safety in Seattle. Here is the link to register.
While the webpage for the class says it’s “full,” Sarah says it’s NOT, so sign up for the waitlist and you’ll be registered from there.
She also has provided four flyers with personal-safety information, in light of recent robberies targeting all ages:
Purse Snatching
Phone Snatching
Safety for Youth, part 1
Safety for Youth, part 2
Lots of questions yesterday afternoon about a large group of police motorcycles seen traveling on various West Seattle streets, including 35th SW and Fauntleroy Way SW (with a stop at Lincoln Park), and over the bridge. Nobody sent photos or video but given the circumstances, and the lack of any known visiting dignitaries, we suspected it was training, and said that to people who contacted us directly, but we wanted to confirm it before writing anything. Early this morning, we finally got that confirmation from Det. Judinna Gulpan of SPD’s media-relations team – just training. (It happens periodically, as we’ve reported over the years, and it’s sometimes multi-agency, like this round in 2019. And once in a rare while it’s not training – like 2018, when the prime minister of Japan came to West Seattle for lunch.)
3:01 PM: We happened onto that scene this morning while headed just east of the West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way intersection, where a double-digit lineup of RVs has been parked for some time. Before we could start making inquiries about the operation, breaking news interrupted. We have an inquiry out to the city now – but we’ve also heard from someone about one item left behind, and the hope that its owner can be found. Sent by Matthew:
Seattle police recovered a brand new Miller 260 arc welder/generator today 11/2/23 as they were removing the RVs and trailers in the 7400 block of W. Marginal Way SW. If anyone knows who the owner of this stolen generator is, please contact SPD officer G. Barreto at SPD7590@seattle.gov
5:17 PM: As for the city operation today, spokesperson Lori Baxter tells us:
As part of our commitment to make public streets, sidewalks, and spaces clean, open, and accessible to all, the City’s Unified Care Team (UCT) conducted an RV remediation this morning in the W Marginal Way SW and 2nd Ave SW vicinity.
Six of the eight RVs onsite early this morning voluntarily moved from the area. Two RVs and three vehicles, including one vehicle confirmed as stolen, were towed from the site by Seattle Police Department’s Parking Enforcement division. As part of UCT’s cleaning efforts, crews then removed 7,100 pounds of debris from the site.
Outreach providers have been engaging onsite for a number of weeks leading up to the remediation to offer those living onsite a shelter placement. A total of 15 offers of shelter were made, with three individuals accepting referrals.
UCT will be closely monitoring this area in an effort to prevent repopulation of the site.
10:38 AM: Police have converged on Pathfinder K-8 in Pigeon Point and here’s what we know. The original call that came into 911 was from a passerby who claimed they saw a man with a gun “walking into the school.” According to radio communication, police have NOT found anyone so far but are searching the school. More information as we get it.
10:45 AM: Just to be clear – NO REPORTS OF GUNFIRE. Police, including SWAT officers, are clearing the school room by room. The original description of the person a passerby said they saw was “unknown-race male, 5’5″ to 6’0″, medium build, red puffy coat.”
10:52 AM: Police have just told dispatch “We’ve cleared the whole structure and found no evidence of a weapon, a suspect, or a shooting.” … Individual classrooms remain locked and sheltering in place, they added. (Update – school staff in comments says it’s a lockdown.)
11:04 AM: They’ve been trying to get back in contact with the original caller, who was apparently on their way off-peninsula when they called in the report. … Meantime, SPD has sent a media team member, who will eventually brief us outside the school.
11:17 AM: They’re now checking individual classrooms. Meantime, Police Chief Adrian Diaz is there and has just briefed us.. Notes from our crew in a moment.
11:22 AM: Chief Diaz says there were two 911 calls of concern. One was the original one reported above. The second one, which has come up in comment discussion below, was a 911 call claiming there was a “school shooting” somewhere – no location given. That was an unfounded call – there has been no gunfire anywhere, school or otherwise. No injuries of any kind. Police will stay at the school through day’s end.
11:45 AM: Now our crew says the school’s announced that it’s closing for the rest of the day and setting up procedures for parents to sign out and pick up kids. The police response is downsizing.
12:25 PM: We’ve left the school too but expect more information later – we have followup inquiries out both with police and the district. We have also added three more photos above.
2:42 PM: For the record, here’s the official district statement, from SPS spokesperson Bev Redmond via email:
Earlier today, a concerned citizen contacted 911 to report a potential safety issue regarding the sighting of an individual with a weapon on the Pathfinder K-8 campus. In response to this report, and in close coordination with the Seattle Police Department (SPD), the school initiated a lockdown procedure as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
During a lock-down classroom and exterior doors are locked. Students remain indoors and in their classrooms until the lockdown has been lifted.
We are pleased to report that after a comprehensive safety sweep of the school and campus, SPD confirmed that there was no credible threat to our students or staff. The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority, and we are grateful for the swift and thorough response of the SPD in this matter.
As of now, the school has transitioned to a shelter-in-place status, maintaining heightened security protocols to ensure ongoing safety. We want to assure all families that Pathfinder students and staff are safe.
During a shelter-in-place, all exterior doors are locked and students remain indoors while the normal instructional day continues.
The school will continue with the school day as scheduled, following the standard Thursday dismissal time of 3:25 p.m.
We understand that incidents like these can be concerning, and we will continue to communicate with the Pathfinder community as we receive further updates and information.
The “continue with the school day” conflicts with what the principal said when we reported it above, but hopefully families have received updates. The district has not yet answered our question about the Genesee Hill shelter-in-place, which appears to have been related to a second unfounded 911 call.
2:55 PM: SPS has just answered that question, also via email: “Genesee Hill was placed in a shelter-in-place as a precaution until SPD could clarify the focal point of the 911 call. Genesee Hill was the former location of Pathfinder K-8.”
Sitting outside the Southwest Precinct, ready to collect your donations for the West Seattle Food Bank – and/or unwanted/expired prescription drugs for safe disposal – are, from left, SPD Officer Matthew Roberson, SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator Sarah Lawson, and Yuri Bolivar and Donna Kelly with Drug-Free Youth. Drug Take-Back Day happens twice a year, but adding a donation drive for food and warm clothing, to benefit WSFB and its Clothesline clothing bank, is new. They’ll be there until 2 pm, at 2300 SW Webster (the public lot entrance is just east of The Home Depot’s south entrance). The wish list of requested donations is here.
3:36 PM: Thanks for the tip. Police are at 35th/Webster investigating gunfire. The 911 call came in around quarter till 3. At the scene, we noted that police have found multiple casings.
The area taped off is on the west side of the intersection. Traffic on 35th is getting through but Webster is blocked there.
3:40 PM: Update – we’ve just talked to a police supervisor. Police say one person was injured and taken to the hospital. They say a “blue sedan” was involved.
7:29 PM: There was no SFD response for a victim, and finally getting a chance to listen to dispatch audio (this happened while we were out on an unrelated story), we know why – the victim “showed up” at Harborview 20 minutes or so later. Also, officers told dispatch about bullet damage in an apartment building on SW Webster by the scene. And police were investigating a possibly related blue Honda Civic found, empty, at Westwood Village, with “bloody clothing” inside. … SPD says in an update on SPD Blotter that “multiple” buildings were hit and that the victim is a 30-year-old man.
ORIGINAL SATURDAY REPORT: Thanks for the tips. A person was found dead on the Lincoln Park beach just south of Colman Pool this morning. The 911 dispatch happened just before 8 am. The person was described as an “adult female” whose body was “wet.” Police responded, as did SFD in case there was a chance she could be revived, but she could not. So far there’s no indication of suspicious circumstances that would require a homicide investigation; it’ll be up to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, which sent a crew to the beach to take possession of the woman’s body, to determine what caused her death.
ADDED MONDAY: Police tell us the woman was 61 years old; and, “There were no signs of trauma or foul play at this time.” Again, the Medical Examiner will determine how/why she died.
11:27 PM: After a vehicle went into a yard in the 10200 block of 31st SW in Arbor Heights, police tried to get the driver to come out. He was reported to have a gun and a dog, and was not responding to commands to come out. So after trying for a while, including loudspeaker calls, police have called in negotiators and SWAT. Thanks to all the neighbors who’ve texted tips and photos (206-293-6302 any time); one neighbor describes the vehicle as a “white Chrysler 300”). We’re not clear on the driver’s status; we heard “passed out” at one point. We’re continuing to monitor.
11:44 PM: It does sound as if he’s passed out but showing signs of life. Meantime, they report “the dog is aggressive” but they’ve managed to seize the gun.
12:06 AM: The man is now reported to be out of the car and in custody. SFD medics will be checking him out. (And police have been figuring out how to have the dog cared for.)
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: This incident is featured on SPD Blotter tonight, with some additional information:
Police arrived around 10:00 p.m. in the 10200 block of 31st Avenue Southwest. They found a white Chrysler 300 sedan had backed into a tree. Inside the vehicle was the driver and a large dog.
When officers initially contacted the driver, he had difficulty staying awake. During this contact, police noticed he had a handgun in his coat pocket. In addition, the Pit bull started becoming aggressive within the vehicle.
Officers attempted to call out the driver from the vehicle, but he did not comply. More resources arrived on the scene to assist with taking the suspect driver into custody.
After SWAT and HNT responded to the location, the firearm and dog were secured first, then the suspect was taken into custody.
The firearm recovered was a loaded handgun with an extended magazine.
Prior to being booked into King County Jail, police obtained a blood warrant for the DUI investigation. The 41-year-old male suspect was arrested for unlawful possession of firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle, and driving under the influence.
We learned from a parent that Highland Park Elementary was briefly in shelter-in-place earlier this afternoon. For anyone else wondering about it, here’s what we found out about the reason: Police were dispatched to a reported “disturbance” at the school around quarter till 3. Dispatch told officers the call was somewhat convoluted, involving an off-campus dispute over a possible burglary and people including a parent showing up at the campus, arguing. We asked SPD how it ended up, and here’s the summary: “There was an incident that occurred by the school with a parent and approximately three high school kids. A parent accused the high schoolers of burglary. When officers arrived, all subjects had left the scene. The school was put into shelter in place briefly and has subsequently been lifted.”
As mentioned here recently, the Southwest Precinct has more steering-wheel locks available free for people with Hyundais and Kias, current favored target of thieves, so the precinct’s acting Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon just scheduled an open pickup time:
Based on the number of folks that reached out to me regarding getting a steering-wheel lock, I have scheduled a steering wheel lock giveaway at the Southwest Precinct for this coming Wednesday (September 27th), between 5-7 pm. Anyone who wants a lock can come to the Precinct and get one, as long as supplies last.
The precinct is at 2300 SW Webster, next to The Home Depot.
8:32 AM: SFD and SPD are arriving in the area of what was reported as a possible shooting, but haven’t found anything/anyone yet. They started with an address in the 9200 block of 16th SW, are now checking the 9600 block of 15th SW, while trying to reach the original caller.
8:39 AM: Having not found anything – officers even looked on the unincorporated King County side of the area – they’re canceling the response.
11:09 AM: Now there’s another response to the same area – we’re monitoring.
11:14 AM: Ths one also appears to be unfounded.
4:38 PM: Police are searching around homes on Fauntleroy Way SW just south of the ferry dock, looking for a man in what’s described as a “weapons call” and possible burglary. He’s described as Hispanic, with dark medium-length hair, no shirt, tan pants. The Guardian One helicopter is on its way to join the search. More information as we get it.
4:47 PM: The helicopter’s arrived in the area.
4:56 PM: We went to the area to look for an officer to ask about what preceded all this. We’re told the first call came from people at the ferry dock who saw what they described as a naked man with a knife or possibly box-cutter. Police noted that this might be the same person seen acting suspiciously near Fauntleroy Church earlier in the day.
5:08 PM: This search has moved a bit further south, along Marine View Drive. Meantime, police are also investigating an unrelated burglary near Fauntleroy Park, to the east of all this, and it sounds as if they have arrested someone – DIFFERENT suspect. … The original subject of the search, meantime, is said to be running through yards in the 10000-10200 block of Marine View Drive and is described as carrying a machete.
5:22 PM: The search has moved westward from there to 47th SW.
5:34 PM: They’re surrounding an area there and making the mandatory announcements that a K-9 will be deployed.
5:57 PM: Nothing new to report. Many officers still in the area, and Guardian One is back after a brief break.
6:31 PM: With the helicopter’s help, they’ve located the person they believe is who they’ve been looking for. … And he’s reported to be in custody. This was in the 10200 block (whether 47th or Marine View Drive, not clear). … Officers also just told dispatch they’ve found the machete, too.
2:08 AM: The first “heard gunfire” report this time came from a police officer who was in the High Point vicinity. Then in short order, dispatch started reporting multiple 911 callers who heard it too, including one who saw “muzzle flashes” in the Walt Hundley Playfield vicinity. Officers have subsequently found shell casings “about 30 yards into the park.” 13 “pistol casings” found so far, as well as “rifle casings,” as officers described their findings to dispatch.
2:18 AM: So far no reports of injuries or property damage. One officer gave dispatch a more-specific location, in the park west of the 6900 block of 31st SW.
ADDED THURSDAY: The police summary of the incident describes the recovered casings as “twenty-two 9mm … and six .556.”
A dozen years after saving the SPD Mounted Patrol, the Seattle Police Foundation has saddled up a special fundraising campaign for the unit, which is based here in West Seattle – in a barn next to Westcrest Park.
This time, it’s not in danger of shutdown, but the SPF funds “gaps” not covered by the basic SPD budget, so to get the word out, they invited media to visit the barn.
Riding McLovin – a name bestowed by the horse’s previous owner – in our video is Sgt. Brandon Caille, who along with one officer comprises the entirety of the Mounted Patrol’s permanent unit staff – supplemented if necessary, he says, with temporarily reassigned officers from elsewhere in the department. You must of course be trained to ride. Among those who are – SPD Chief Adrian Diaz.
When we visited during the “open barn” event on Wednesday, we had just missed the chief taking a turn around the indoor riding ring. The unit currently has six horses, plus Li’l Sebastian, who is wildly popular during community appearances:
Community appearances is what the unit focuses on, in fact, says Sgt. Caille – “relational policing” is the formal term. They might visit areas, for example, where data shows there’s been an uptick in crime. A common misconception is that they do crowd control work; Sgt. Caille says actually, they don’t.
The SPF calls its campaign “Adopt-A-Horse” – donations might even eventually fund a replacement for one of the current horses, which can cost up to about $20,000. (McLovin was one of the two most-recent purchases, in 2021.) SPF stepped up to save the unit when budget cuts threatened it in 2011; three years later, the city started covering its basic funding again, but the SPF has been covering “gaps” as it does for some other units in the department. If you’re interested in donating, go here.
Thanks for all the tips a=about SPD and SFD at the bus stop on southbound 35th SW south of Avalon early this morning. The initial call around 5:40 am was for an unconscious, unresponsive person, and SFD medics were unable to revive him. Police tell WSB, “There were no signs of foul play.” The cause of death will be determined by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, which subsequently responded to the scene and, SPD says, “took responsibility of the deceased subject.”
Two more incidents to report, one unfolding right now:
FALSE REPORT OF GUNFIRE: 9:39 PM: 911 received multiple calls about this a short time ago. Dispatch told officers that one caller at an apartment building in the 4100 block of California claims somebody – possibly a neighbor – fired a gun from a balcony. No injuries reported. Police are trying to sort this out right now. We’ll add anything more we hear.
9:53 PM: Police are not finding any evidence of gunfire despite that report, and now believe it was fireworks – they’ve reported finding an “empty box.”
10:02 PM: Thanks to David for this video of what it sounded like from 44th/Andover:
(back to original report) Meantime, via email:
STOLEN SILVER ELANTRA: Stolen-car report tonight from Lauren:
PLEASE HELP! Stolen car- silver/gray Hyundai Elantra (license plate AQS2284) stolen (near Fairmount Park). If you see this car, please call 911 and reference case number 23-237899. My fiancé starts teaching in about a week, and really needs his car back.
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