West Seattle, Washington
23 Wednesday
Remember “Viadoom” week, when Seattle Police cited a couple dozen drivers for bus-lane violations on the West Seattle Bridge? According to the latest roundup on SPD Blotter, they were out looking again today, and cited 8 more. Speeders too – including 76 mph in the bridge’s 45 mph zone – and some school-zone citations elsewhere in West Seattle. Details here.
Last week, the Seattle Police Aggressive Drivers Response Team was out enforcing the bus lane on the West Seattle Bridge during the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. This week, they’re back to speed enforcement (among other things), with 4 West Seattle school zones on the latest roundup list, plus Highland Park Way (including a ticket for 51 mph in a 30 zone) and Admiral Way (with one for 52 in a 30 zone). See the full list on the SPD Blotter site, here.
9:26 AM: Information on this one is still a little sketchy – but it’s happening right now and we’ve received questions about why police cars were outside West Seattle High School, so here’s what we have found out so far: They are searching the area around the school for a report of one or two men seen with a knife or knives. The school district says WSHS went into “shelter in place” mode for this, around 8:45 am. According to Det. Mark Jamieson in the SPD media unit, so far they haven’t found anything or anyone. No one is reported hurt – by all accounts so far, this is just a case of someone seeing something alarming. If we get new information later, we’ll update.
10:12 AM UPDATE: The district says the “shelter in place” situation is over; police didn’t find the person(s) they were looking for, but again, everybody’s OK.
Every morning this Viaduct-closure week, Seattle Police have been out on the West Seattle (high) Bridge, looking for bus-lane rulebreakers. Every morning, they have reported a double-digit tally of tickets, and we’ve been adding them to our commute coverage as a postscript. This morning, though, the SPD Blotter summary includes something startling: A speeding ticket for 103 mph, more than twice the limit. SPD doesn’t usually publish drivers’/riders’ explanations, but says this motorcyclist reported being “late for work.” P.S. We just called in search of additional details beyond what’s in the Blotter item: Det. Mark Jamieson tells us that speed was so high, the officer could have chosen to arrest the man, but reports he was cooperative and pulled over immediately, so cited him instead. Price on that ticket? $411.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers – two rounds of The WSBeat, since last week’s edition didn’t get published, it appears immediately after the newest summaries:
*Wednesday night around 7:30, a woman who was planning to go target shooting accidentally left her purse on the counter of an Admiral convenience store. She went back to retrieve the purse but didn’t find the two guns she thought were inside — a .380 revolver and a 9mm pistol. The clerk said no one had taken the guns and offered to provide the store’s surveillance tape. The officer advised the woman to take a look around her home to be sure she hadn’t misplaced the weapons.
*Around 6 p.m. Saturday, when officers stopped to question a man at 14th and Cloverdale, the subject ran off, only to return a few moments later and hit an officer in the eye. He initially refused to provide officers with his name, probably because it turns out he was wanted on a no-bail felony warrant from the Department of Corrections and a $10,000 misdemeanor DUI warrant. He was booked into King County Jail.
13 more summaries ahead:Read More
A long list of Seattle Police Aggressive Drivers Response Team activities – almost all in West Seattle – is on SPD Blotter tonight, from school zones to major arterials to the West Seattle Bridge, including someone going almost double the speed limit on Admiral Way. See for yourself, here.
A new development in the Alki home-invasion robbery we first told you about early yesterday: Seattle Police have released this image of one of the suspected robbers. They say it’s from an ATM here in West Seattle, captured as the suspect used a credit card stolen in the robbery. If you have any idea who this is, or any other information about the robbery, call the Seattle Police Robbery Unit at 206-684-5535. The SPD Blotter update on this adds: “Anonymous calls are welcome.”
4:13 AM: Police and fire crews are in the 2600 block of 50th SW, and visible from Admiral Way nearby, after responding to a call described on the SFD log as “assault with weapons” – which is used in a variety of incident types, so that doesn’t necessarily mean someone has been attacked. We’re still working to find out exactly what they believe happened; more shortly.
4:48 AM UPDATE: We’re down the block from the scene and have heard the use of a bullhorn to try to contact someone inside the house that police were called to. KING 5 reports that police say a man called them from the house after 3 am, claiming to have shot someone. Though this is unfolding just about a block off Admiral Way, it’s not affecting traffic – police are conducting their operation on residential streets, including 50th and Waite.
5:10 AM UPDATE: In the “media staging area” east of the scene (photo above), with all TV stations on hand. SWAT vehicles rolled by a few minutes ago.
5:40 AM UPDATE: Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen just talked with us briefly at the media staging area. He says they still don’t know for sure whether the man who called 911 is in the house or not. He clarifies that the caller, whom he described as “elderly,” claimed he had shot his wife.
6 AM UPDATE: Loud boom/bang sounds in the area are part of the attempt to reach the man, if he is indeed inside.
7:06 AM UPDATE: Det. Mark Jamieson from the SPD Media Unit just briefed us all. Same information, basically, except that he added that police are not going to rush into the house until they’re sure it’s a safe situation – even though, as he acknowledged, there’s a possibility someone is injured in there. He says they do not believe the neighborhood is in danger, though he doesn’t know if any gunshots were actually heard before the man called 911. They are relatively sure that original call after 3 am was made from inside the house – it was via a land line.
7:22 AM UPDATE: Det. Jamieson had an update just a few moments ago – SWAT officers went into the house and found two people dead, a man and woman. Murder-suicide is suspected; investigators are now at work to find out more, and they will have an update later this morning. The murder victim would be the first in West Seattle since the Fauntleroy stabbing death of the vaudeville artist best known as Hokum W. Jeebs back in February. The last murder-suicide case was the quadruple shooting in Highland Park in September of last year.
7:43 PM UPDATE: The SWAT units are leaving.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
9:58 AM UPDATE: Added a photo of police investigating at the house – media was not allowed near it, for obvious reasons, while the SWAT team was still there and unsure what was happening inside.
10:32 AM UPDATE: Police have posted their summary of what happened; no new information, though. But unofficial sources have said the wife, 80 according to online records, was very ill – including this WSB commenter.
THURSDAY UPDATE: One of the couple’s children talked with our partners at the Seattle Times, identifying the couple as Helen and Harvey Spicer, and saying Mrs. Spicer had Parkinson’s disease.
(Photo added 3:37 pm – police off SW Alaska, block west of Delridge)
1:55 PM: Police are still in North Delridge searching for two burglary suspects – and have arrested two others. Part of the search has involved the West Seattle Golf Course. Here’s what Seattle Police Officer Renée Witt says happened: 
They got a call around quarter till 1 about a burglary in the 5400 block of 30th SW. Someone saw suspects described as three black males and one heavyset black female, all in their 20s, one male with gray sweatshirt and black pants. First the person who called police was out looking for them; then police arrived, saw two suspects, saw two more run onto the Golf Course from SW Brandon. Two arrests were made, but an extensive search continues for the other two. We’re awaiting more information from police to see if they have any additional descriptive information about the two they’re still seeking.
2:14 PM UPDATE: Officer Witt just shared updated information – ONE suspect in custody, two others still being sought, and there’s still an “active track inside the golf course.”
3:37 PM UPDATE: That hasn’t stopped the golfing, in case you wondered – at least not along the north side of the course (SW Genesee) when we drove by a little while ago. Meantime, police were still combing the neighborhood as of our check (photo added above). If no formal updates come within the next few hours, we’ll check at tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, 7 pm at the precinct (Delridge/Webster), all welcome to hear about crime trends and discuss neighborhood crime concerns.
Lots of questions this morning about something that sounded like gunshots in North Admiral overnight – around 2:30 am, by most accounts. As we replied to several people, we know nobody GOT shot in this area overnight, but that’s as much as we know for sure. However, one WSB’er (who didn’t want her name used) reports:
I called 911 last night at 2:25 AM, Sunday morning, in the N. part of North Admiral Area because of what sounded like possible gunfire – 2 rounds of 2 “bangs” about 1 minute apart (startled me out of bed).
This morning, called Police Dept to follow up,.They said there were several calls about this and they believe it was attributed to “fireworks” thrown from a vehicle and that they “had a description of the vehicle” but that is all they would say.
We’ll let you know if we hear anything different. 11:24 AM NOTE: A comment’s just come in from a witness who was the original caller – fireworks for sure.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
12:19 PM: There’s an assault-with-weapons response at Lincoln Park right now, and you’re probably hearing a helicopter (TV, we believe) too. Scanner says it’s believed to be a shooting suicide in a car in the south end of Lincoln Park. That’s all we know about the circumstances right now – more to come.
12:38 PM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene says this actually happened just north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. The dock itself is still accessible. The car with the suspected-suicide victim inside is at Cove Park, the tiny park north of the ferry terminal.
1:02 PM UPDATE: Added a photo from the scene. The car is behind the canvas put up to shield it from view.
(Our customary note: Authorities explain suicide as a deadly symptom of mental illness. If you or anyone you know needs help in preventing it, there’s a 24-hour hotline – 206-461-3222. A discussion about suicide prevention also is scheduled on October 23rd, during Fauntleroy Church’s “Family Matters” week – information here.)
The Seattle Police Aggressive Drivers Response Team has been in major school-zone-enforcement mode the past two days, according to an update tonight on SPD Blotter, and most of it’s been done in West Seattle. For the numbers – including some non-school-zone enforcement, too – read on:Read More
ORIGINAL 2:49 PM REPORT: From WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz:
The big police response in Highland Park earlier this afternoon, including the blocking-off of the area around 13th/14th/Barton, involved a search for two burglary suspects. One was arrested relatively quickly, Deanie reports, while a K-9 search was used to help find the second. Police told her both are in custody. No details of the actual incident yet – we have an inquiry out to the precinct.
ADDED 4:59 PM: Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen has more details:
Today, our officers responded to a citizen 911 call of suspicious activity in the Highland Park neighborhood. Our officers responded to the area and located an unoccupied vehicle in the area that we have been keeping an eye out for (other reports of suspicious activity the past couple of weeks – possible burglary suspects).
Officers watched the vehicle for a period of time and encountered 2 subjects (adult and juvenile). Both subjects fled the scene. Containment was quickly set up, with one being apprehended quickly and the other after a K9 was called in from home.
Great team work and communication by our officers and detectives as well as our citizens calling in the suspicious activity to 911.
We believe these two subjects are responsible for a number of burglaries in West Seattle and White Center. Our Detectives are conducting the followup investigation. Both subjects are well-known to our officers for extensive criminal histories.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
Back after another short hiatus: From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*Though he had been evicted at the beginning of the month, a man still had the key to the front door of his former condo building in the Admiral area. He would enter, climb to the roof, and then jump to his old balcony to get inside his old unit, against the orders of the sheriff, bank, and realtor. On Tuesday he was arrested and booked into King County Jail for investigation of criminal trespass. The condo management group will be changing the lock on the front door.
*Late Saturday of last weekend, seeing a car pull out of an Admiral service station without its headlights on, an officer ran the plate and discovered that the registered owner did not have a valid driver’s license. He pulled the car over at 36th and Olga. The driver admitted he had no insurance or license and, although he wasn’t wanted on any warrants, he did have a history of burglary and firearms possession. For safety reasons, the officer had him exit the vehicle, which brought half-full bottles of whiskey, brandy and cognac, a crowbar, and a pair of black leather gloves into plain view. These were confiscated. The 16-year-old was cited for driving without a license or insurance, for not using his headlights, minor in possession, and possession of burglary tools. He was released to his brother’s custody; his car was towed.
Six more summaries ahead:Read More
A suspect who ran from a stolen car is in custody tonight, thanks to what Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith calls “great teamwork by the patrol units.” We asked Lt. Smith about the incident after hearing some attention-grabbing scanner traffic around 4 pm – a search of some kind in Highland Park, resulting in an arrest. Lt. Smith told us it started with the report of a car theft in the Westwood Village parking lot. Before police even talked with the victim in person, Lt. Smith says, “an officer observed a vehicle matching the stolen vehicle at 15th SW & SW Henderson. The officer pulled behind the suspected stolen vehicle, at which time the vehicle fled.” Then the driver got out, he says, and ran through several backyards. Officers set up “containment” in the area, and caught the suspect “attempting to climb a fence in an effort to flee.”
Finally got the bottom line on heavy police presence in the 51st/Waite (map) area. After a few calls/texts, we went over to check it out – more than half a dozen SPD cars along a couple of blocks, but no lights or sirens, no visible-from-street sense of urgency, no police tape, no one visible to approach with a question. The mystery was solved by Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams‘ reply to our inquiry: He says they arrested a misdemeanor domestic-violence suspect: “We needed some time to talk the adult male suspect out. He’s in custody.”
Two notes this afternoon: First, the explanation for an alarming sight at the closed Genesee Hill Elementary campus last night. We got calls, e-mails, and tweets from people who saw police tape, cars, and even what one person thought was a body. Absent any other indications of an actual crime, we were fairly sure it was training, which happens there from time to time, and finally, we got confirmation from Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Rasmussen that it was indeed a “training class.” We’ve received advance alerts before but didn’t this time. Meantime, we have a burglary report today – read on (also, added 4:31 pm, a vehicle-theft report):Read More
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
Back after a couple weeks’ hiatus: From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*Four women were suspected of casing homes in the 4100 block of SW Frontenac Wednesday afternoon. One door-knocker fled after discovering one home was occupied, but the homeowner there kept an eye on her and called 911 when she went into the backyard of a neighbor. One woman, a Kent resident, was booked into King County Jail for criminal trespass. The others were investigated and released.
*Early Monday, a 28-year-old Kent resident was booked into King County Jail after verbally and physically harassing a number of people at the corner of 61st and Alki.
*Around noon on Thursday the 8th, a driver became enraged when he couldn’t pass through a construction site in the 3200 block of 61st SW. He yelled obscenities and threatened to come back and slit the tires on the construction vehicles. He drove off, but not before causing $150 worth of damage to two lighted construction barricades. The car he drove was registered to an address in the 6100 block of SW Spokane and was later spotted in the driveway there. The woman at the residence refused to provide any information and was uncooperative with officers.
Seven more summaries, including two armed robberies on the street, ahead:Read More
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
12:32 PM: Thanks to multiple tipsters who say the SWAT team’s in the 7900 block of 18th SW and the road’s blocked off. We’re on the way. It started as a domestic dispute, according to SPD’s Officer Renee Witt, just before noon. They’re looking for someone accused of sending death threats to a relative via text message, and possibly also vandalizing the house with an ax, but Officer Witt says they don’t know if the suspect is in the house they’re responding to – the call came from a house nearby.
(Photos showing officers were added after incident ended)
1:03 PM: Adding photo of police blocking 18th SW down the street (since it is a SWAT situation, we are not publishing any images that would show the positions of the officers around the house). As is usual in potentially volatile situations like this, our crew is being kept fairly far back. We are also monitoring the scanner here at HQ.
2:02 PM: We’re back at the scene after a side trip to the Westwood apartment fire. The situation hasn’t changed much; police are talking with the suspect, who can be heard yelling. Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen was at the scene for a while. So was a TV helicopter that police asked to back off because of noise interference. We’re adding a few more photos.
2:16 PM: Police have gone in; suspect is reported to be in custody, and is being taken to the precinct.
2:48 PM: Added photo of suspect being cuffed – we’ve blurred his face; he’s in the tank top. He was last heard observing loudly that “20,000” police cars were in the neighborhood.
The latest Seattle Police Aggressive Drivers Response Team report includes not only speeding citations from the West Seattle Bridge but also two West Seattle school zones – including 42 mph in the 20 zone by Roxhill Elementary – and a far-south stretch of 1st Avenue South. Details on SPD Blotter.
(THURSDAY NIGHT NOTE: We’re told event registration has maxed out now and is closed – sorry!)
This is National Preparedness Month – another chance to make sure you are ready for anything, even the things we all hope never will happen. In case you are having trouble with the cost of putting together an emergency kit, the Seattle Police Department and Target are joining forces for an event here in West Seattle later this month – but you have to sign up for it, ASAP. Here’s the announcement:
The Seattle Police Department’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is joining with Target to make that step easier for families in Seattle. Target has generously donated $10,000 to help families build emergency kits. Each participating family will receive a $100 gift card that they can use to build their own emergency kits. Seattle Police Department will be on hand to help people identify basic items for an emergency kit, as well as help them customize their kit to meet their specific needs. Participants must sign up for the event to be eligible. The event will be held at the West Seattle Target on September 29, 2011 at 9:00 AM. They will be given a map of the store with locations where items for emergency kits can be found highlighted and the gift card to make their purchases. Families with children are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.
The number of available kits is limited so if you are interested in participating in this one of a kind event please e-mail the Seattle Office of Emergency Management at snap@seattle.gov or call us at 206-233-5076.
If you’re OK building a kit without financial assistance – but just need advice on what it should contain – find it here. And remember the incredible West Seattle-specific preparedness resources offered by West Seattle Be Prepared, particularly the neighborhood communication hubs – know yours and be ready to go there in case disaster strikes.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*Around 3 pm Monday, a rude patron kept bothering other customers at a Junction bar and was asked to leave. He declined, threw a glass, and then launched a chair through a $2,000 flat-screen TV. He was taken to the ground, held for officers and was later booked into King County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault.
The files were a little threadbare (up until the past few days, too late for this roundup), so just three more summaries are ahead:Read More
(Reader video from Fritz – not much visible but you hear sirens and police loudspeaker, “It’s time to go home”)
After our brief “here’s what the sirens were about” report last night regarding a large police response to fighting at the Southwest Community Center, some asked for more details. The Seattle Police SPD Blotter website now has a summary of what police say happened:
On 8/26/11, at approximately 11:30 p.m., an officer was working at the late-night basketball tournament, at the Southwest Community Center. Minor fights were breaking out inside the gymnasium, and the officer requested several patrol units to assist with clearing the community center when the game ended.
Before the game ended, there were several reports of firearms being seen in the crowd, and a large-scale melee erupted inside the gym. Several people were struck with chairs, and reports continued of guns being present, although officers did not see any. Officers worked to move the hostile crowd of approximately 200 people out of the building and disperse them. South precinct and SWAT units responded to assist.
Fights continued in the parking lot for approximately 20 minutes. The crowd was eventually brought under control, some leaving in vehicles, others dispersing eastbound on Thistle toward Delridge. No officers were injured during the incident, although many were grabbed and pushed by the crowd.
No arrests are reported; we’re doublechecking on that.
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