West Seattle, Washington
15 Wednesday
(Added: Seattle Fire Department photo)
8:52 AM: You might have noticed the big Seattle Fire response headed for Harbor Island. Two people were reported to have fallen off a boat, per SFD radio, and were picked up by a Global Diving and Salvage boat. One person is reported to be conscious, one unconscious. No other word on the circumstances nor on what boat they fell from. Rescue crews are staging at Terminal 18 on the east side of Harbor Island.
9:15 AM: SFD says one of the two rescued people has gone to Harborview “in critical condition.”
9:50 AM: A commenter says one of the people had actually gone into the water to rescue the other one.
4:16 PM: SFD has more details – including confirmation of the heroic rescue by a T-18 worker – here.
3:13 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a water-rescue response to Alki/Harbor. We haven’t yet heard the reason for the dispatch but have a crew on the way.
3:18 PM: The call has closed.
3:26 PM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli arrived in the area and verified there’s no trace left of an emergency response.
(WSB photo added 11:22 pm)
10:48 PM: Big Seattle Fire hazmat response at Chelan/Spokane, just west of the low bridge, for what SFD says is an overturned tanker truck leaking gasoline. Traffic is being diverted at the north end of Delridge. The Delridge exit from the bridge is being blocked off, per scanner. More to come.
10:54 PM: Per scanner, SFD believes the tanker is leaking from multiple spots. They’re trying to get into position to get foam on the leaking fuel. Stay well clear of the area.
Traffic cameras show the west end of the bridge is blocked. Per SFD, the tanker driver got out OK.
11:22 PM: They’re evacuating the Chelan Café/bar (Ebb Tide Room). Also, per scanner (we’ve just arrived at the scene so will have some firsthand info soon), they’re setting up a “unified command” including SDOT as well as SFD and SPD. SFD adds via Twitter that Seattle Public Utilities and the Coast Guard have been notified, and that it will take several hours to offload the tanker.
(Photo by Brandon Smith)
11:54 PM: More SFD resources have arrived, and there are also radio communications about SFD and USCG boats checking the Duwamish for any sign of fuel from this. We’re now on the west side of the crash area; SFD was sending a public-information officer to gather info for us (and any other media on scene).
12:05 AM: Another tanker has arrived so this one’s fuel can be offloaded.
12:31 AM: Here’s SFD foaming the scene early on – thanks to Doug for tweeting the video:
Fire response seems to have it under control @SeattleFire @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/ItRw5BmwBw
— Doug Mackar (@DMackar) August 2, 2018
12:53 AM: SFD spokesperson Hilton Almond has briefed us at nearby Fire Station 36. He says the tanker is still leaking – they believe the double-trailer truck was carrying about 5,000 gallons.
A fireboat is on the Duwamish looking for signs of spillage. SPU has public-information officer Eric Autry at the scene too and says they’ll have a boat out in the morning. We recorded the briefing on video and will add that when it’s uploaded. (Update: Added)
The timeline for offloading the fuel is still described as “several hours” so hard to say how this will affect the morning commute but we would speculate it’s likely to – the low bridge is currently blocked off both ways as is much of Spokane under the bridge and the north end of Delridge Way.
Almond explained that firefighters have to keep re-applying the foam to suppress vapor from the leaking fuel.
1:23 AM: We’re back at HQ for a while and have heard via scanner that the Coast Guard has vessels out at the mouth of the Duwamish restricting maritime traffic while this remains unsettled.
2:32 AM: SDOT camera shows the offloading hasn’t started yet. Radio communication indicates they’re starting soon and expect it to take at least a few hours.
4:58 AM: Still emptying the truck.
5:20 AM: Since the main bike accesses to the low bridge are blocked, a shuttle is planned, though no details yet. (update) Metro says the bike shuttle is running from the northbound SW Avalon Way stop just north of SW Charlestown – Luna Park area.
6 AM: The Delridge ramp to the eastbound high bridge IS open – we just went over to verify. (Added below: 6:09 am screengrab of SDOT cam at scene)
6:37 AM: But bike riders attempting to get to the low bridge from the north end of Delridge will be turned away – we are in the area and just saw it happen to 2 more. At the crash scene, the tanker that was offloading fuel has just left (it passed us southbound on Delridge). Next: Uprighting and towing the crashed truck, and cleanup. … Also note that West Marginal is blocked north of SW Marginal Place until this is cleared.
7:30 AM: The tipped section of the tanker is still being uprighted. (Added above, a few minutes later – SDOT cam now shows two tow rigs involved)
8:05 AM: The tanker is now upright, after 9+ hours.
Next – towing and cleanup.
8:23 AM: Police have reopened the Delridge offramp from the high bridge.
9:36 AM: Not fully reopened yet otherwise but Metro says “most” buses have returned to their regular routes. The bike shuttle is still running.
10:21 AM: After almost 12 hours, police have just announced via radio communication that everything is reopening.
2:25 PM: We’re working on a separate followup about environmental ramifications and cleanup – will link here when that’s up. Meantime we asked police about the investigation. Too soon to say if any citations will ensue as this is being handled by the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad; SPD says the early indication is that the trailer may have gone sideways because of a “sharp right turn.”
12:41 AM: The big Seattle Fire response is headed for a report that a truck has crashed into Longfellow Creek near 28th/Yancy. It’s a “rescue extrication” response in case someone has to be freed from the truck. More to come.
12:43 AM: The first units to arrive are saying it appears to be an RV that has crashed.
12:46 AM: SFD says two people have minor injuries but should be able to get themselves out of the vehicle.
12:52 AM: The two are reported to be out of the vehicle, which is reported to be leaking fuel.
1:09 AM: Both are being taken to the hospital. The wrecked RV is partly visible, in the wooded area on the east side of the health club parking lot.
1:33 AM: Just talked to an officer at the scene. He said a tow truck’s been ordered. The man and woman who were in the RV were headed eastbound on Yancy when their brakes went out. They had a dog in the RV too; it’s been taken to a vet to be checked out.
8:57 AM: Just went back to check. The RV was indeed removed.
Debris remain and a couple parking spots are blocked off.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:36 PM: Just in case you’re here wondering about the big SFD water-rescue response sent to Seacrest – there was a report of a paddleboarder possibly in trouble near Lowman Beach, but it’s been determined they’re OK, and everyone’s being dismissed. (Seacrest would have been the point at which a patient, if necessary, would have been delivered to a medic unit.)
ADDED 10:38 PM: Thanks to Paul Weatherman for that photo of a fireboat doing some testing, after the aforementioned incident, and before this new one: SFD marine crews are headed to the Duwamish River where a boat has gotten “stuck in the mud” near Kellogg Island. No injuries reported.
8:03 PM: A water-rescue response is headed to Seacrest/Don Armeni, though apparently it’s related to a call involving a kiteboarder seen from a spot across the bay in Discovery Park – the dock here is being used as a rendezvous point. Updates as we hear them.
8:10 PM: The kiteboarder who was the subject of the original call is apparently OK and getting assistance to get to shore on the other side of the bay. Fireboat Leschi is still at Seacrest loading up assistance just in case.
8:15 PM: And now they’re keeping the rescue operation going as they’ve determined other kiteboarders in the water may still need help.
8:21 PM: Our crew talked to SFD personnel at Seacrest who explained that they brought divers to the dock to get on board Leschi, which is now headed across the bay. Added a photo of the SFD land unit that’ll be leaving Seacrest soon. Meantime, the actual rescue, south of West Point, sounds to be going OK, with one person still in the water but rescuers nearby.
Not a good week for the Harbor Avenue 7-11. First the dumpster fire on Wednesday – now a crash. After a reader tip that someone had driven into the store’s doors, we went to the 7-11 and found this damage. Store workers didn’t want to comment and there were no police or fire personnel on scene (nor is there a SFD call logged to the scene any time since midnight), so apparently no injuries) so we’re not clear on exactly what happened or when, but they have some cleanup to do – from outside you can see some items tossed about inside too.
11:26 AM: Big Seattle Fire “water rescue” dispatch to the 1000 block of Harbor Avenue SW. Details as we get them.
11:28 AM: Most of the units are already being dismissed.
11:34 AM: Per scanner, the person who was in trouble – we haven’t heard the circumstances – is on shore and being tended to by SFD.
10:32 PM: So far, nothing major *in* West Seattle. An SFD call to California/Findlay was a fire in a tree, per a texter, extinguished even before SFD’s arrival. The Lake Union fireworks are happening right now so the Alki-and-vicinity outbound wave is less than half an hour away – remember the police plan to redirect traffic until that’s clear. They had a big presence at Alki even before dusk – we were out checking on that when the East Marginal fire broke out; we counted at least a dozen SPD cars, marked and unmarked, with the Mobile Precinct at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, which was blocked off to vehicle entries.
10:57 PM: Another police sighting – Delridge Community Center Park, according to a neighbor who says it’s been “the worst year yet” for illegal fireworks there.
11:14 PM: The photo above is courtesy of Carolyn Newman, who reports, “Traffic seems to be moving a bit quicker than normal on Harbor Ave, however, still a slow go.”
MIDNIGHT: SFD has dispatched six units to the 4500 block of 42nd SW for a call described as “dumpster fire with exposure.”
12:03 AM: That’s in a parking garage, according to radio communication.
12:11 AM: The call’s been downsized. Meantime, somewhere on SW Kenyon – we didn’t catch the cross-street/block – police are checking on multiple 911 reports of five people who had been shooting guns and who then got into a white BMW. No word of any injuries.
12:14 AM: Now police are going after a black Infiniti for some reason, Fauntleroy/Avalon at last report. (Update: It was a suspect with a $100,000 warrant in a West Seattle gun/drug case.)
1:21 AM: Things have quieted down since then, at least in terms of local police/fire dispatches. We remain on call, 24/7, at 206-293-6302.
(Added: WSB photo)
4:05 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a water-rescue response to the 7000 block of Beach Drive SW (Lowman Beach vicinity), including some units to the Don Armeni/Seacrest area, where anyone rescued would be taken. We haven’t yet heard the circumstances of who might need rescuing. More to come.
4:10 PM: Per scanner, the report was that two kayakers are possibly in trouble.
4:12 PM: And now – SFD says it’s found the kayakers, and they’re already out of the water.
4:19 PM: Added a photo – looks like a different type of watercraft; SFD assisted in bringing it up from Lowman Beach. Our crew confirms everyone’s OK.
… as best we can tell from scanner traffic, it’s actually related to what was a possible water-rescue call that ended up playing out across the bay in the Magnolia area, and the person in question over there is reported to be out of the water and OK. It’s all getting canceled right now.
(WSB photo)
5:14 PM: Big SFD response at the Arrowhead Gardens seniors complex in SE West Seattle right now. They tell us a major pipe along the underground floor of the easternmost building broke. They’re going to have to do some pumping, and that’s why the Marine Response unit is part of the callout.
6:12 PM UPDATE: SFD adds via Twitter, “Firefighters are working to remove a large amount of water from the structure. Coordinated effort with King County Metro and Red Cross to assist with displaced occupants.” We’ve also added video above showing where some of the water is spilling onto a garage ramp.
12:14 AM: The American Red Cross was called in to help, according to a news release we received via e-mail:
…DAT (Disaster Action Team) 5 responded to the event:
*14 units were affected
*Several individuals (and 1 service dog) were displacedInitially, all 144 units of the affected building were impacted by the event. Red Cross responders established a shelter, but were able to help mitigate the event and minimize the number of residents who ultimately elected to relocate.
9:10 PM: What started as a Seattle Fire “heavy rescue” to Delridge/Graham is being downsized. According to radio transmissions, the initial report was about someone possibly trapped under a vehicle. Updates as we get them.
9:14 PM: All SFD crews except one engine have been canceled. Delridge is reported to be down to one lane at Graham, though.
5:05 PM: Thanks for the tips. Avoid 35th and Avalon – big emergency response; we’re en route to find out what happened.
5:18 PM: We’re there. 35th is closed between Avalon and Fauntleroy and police are putting up scene tape. No one’s commenting yet on what happened.
5:21 PM: Lt. Steve Strand tells us that someone suffered major injuries, so the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is on the way and that means this part of 35th is going to be closed for hours.
5:29 PM: SPD confirms a driver hit a pedestrian, who has been rushed to Harborview.
5:36 PM: SPD says the victim is a man and SFD says he’s “approximately 35 years old.” The driver stayed at the scene and has been talking with police.
6:04 PM: No further information. This SDOT traffic camera shows the scene from a distance if you want to check on the closure, which we of course will be doing too.
7:49 PM: Just went back to the scene to check; TCI is still working and told us it might be a couple more hours before they’re done and the street reopens. No word yet on the man’s condition.
8:46 PM: The street just reopened to traffic.
10:15 PM: The official SPD account:
Detectives from the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad (TCIS) are conducting the investigation following a serious injury vehicle/pedestrian collision in West Seattle Thursday evening.
Shortly before 5:00 pm, a 35-year-old man was attempting to cross 35th Avenue SW mid-block in the 4400 block when he was struck by a Nissan sedan travelling northbound on 35th. Patrol officers from the Southwest Precinct, along with Seattle Fire Department medics responded to the scene. Medics transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
TCIS detectives responded to the scene to begin their investigation and process the scene.
The adult driver of the Nissan remained at the scene. Per protocol, a DUI/Drug Recognition Expert officer evaluated the Nissan driver for any signs of impairment. No intoxication or impairment was detected, and the driver was allowed to leave after being interviewed by detectives.
35th Avenue SW was shut down for the investigation between Avalon and Fauntleroy for several hours but has since reopened to traffic. This remains an active and on-going investigation.
(Added: Photo sent by Jason)
2:04 PM: Southbound 35th SW is blocked right now at SW Thistle after a crash reported to involve two cars, and police are looking for two people reported to have run/walked away from one of them. They were last seen westbound on Thistle, “possibly bleeding.”
2:07 PM: Now police are saying one person – all we’ve heard are that both were believed to be male – might have left NB on 35th, and the other might have been subsequently seen near 37th/Cloverdale.
2:15 PM: A K-9 officer is in the area and might be joining the search.
2:25 PM: Police have one person in custody a few blocks south of the crash scene. He was reported to have been hiding in a Honey Bucket.
2:57 PM: Crash scene is clear. Here’s where police found the man:
SFD was called to check on him for possible crash injuries.
10:53 PM: The suspect, 30, is in King County Jail, booked for investigation of hit-and-run. The jail register shows it’s his fourth booking in just under a year.
6:53 PM: Just in case you’re in the area and wondering: Though a response happening right now at 42nd/Alaska was dispatched as “scenes of violence” (formerly “assault with weapons”), scanner traffic indicates the incident did not involve any injury after all. However, police are looking for a suspect, and so we’re on the way to find out what the call is about.
7:02 PM: A sergeant at the scene would only say that this started as some kind of argument and they’re trying to sort out the details.
(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)
10:12 PM: Police and fire are headed to Alki/Harbor for a report of a possible stabbing. More to come.
10:16 PM: Per scanner, police are closing Harbor to traffic NB where it turns into Alki.
10:19 PM: Victim has life-threatening wounds, also per scanner. Other routes to Alki might be closed because of the search – such as California Way and Bonair – so avoid the area.
10:40 PM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli is at the scene and says the victim has died. This is the second homicide case in West Seattle in less than four weeks, since the deadly shooting at West Seattle Stadium on May 8th. Last year, there was one murder at Alki – we noted that May 23rd marked one year since 23-year-old Jordan D. Thomas was shot and killed at 62nd/Alki; that case remains unsolved.
10:53 PM: No arrest(s) reported so far. No clear description of the killer(s), either, but police are reported to be canvassing for surveillance video in the area as well as potential witnesses.
11:44 PM: After resolving a communications problem, we’re receiving images and information again from our crew at the scene. If you are having trouble placing where this happened, the victim is on the Alki Trail, just to the right of the right edge of the photo above; Christopher says it’s directly across the street from 1140 Alki SW. Also note, roads into the area remain closed.
12:05 AM: Christopher reports that homicide and CSI personnel continue arriving. He meantime is expecting a briefing soon from an SPD public-information officer who has arrived and is getting briefed.
12:35 AM: Christopher has just talked with SPD spokesperson Det. Patrick Michaud, who says the victim was in his mid-20s. Police do not believe this was a random attack. Nor do they have a description of suspect(s) or vehicle. Det. Michaud also confirms there is an additional crime scene at which they recovered a glove, and says police are interviewing witnesses and friends of the victim as well as reviewing surveillance and dash-cam footage from the area. If you have any information, you’re asked to call SPD’s homicide/assault tip line at 206-233-5000.
1:35 AM: Added above this line, Christopher’s video of what Det. Michaud told him at the scene.
SUNDAY NIGHT NOTE: No new information today. Sometime between this morning and evening, someone left a few flowers at the scene, the only hint of what happened last night:
We will be following up with police again tomorrow.
8:03 PM: Thanks for the tips. On our way to check out what’s reported to be a flipped-car crash at Highland Park Way and W. Marginal. Avoid the area.
8:17 PM: Photo added. A second car is already being towed. Flipped car is in outside west/southbound lane of W Marginal.
8:29 PM: No serious injuries. We talked to the driver of the flipped car; she’s fine. The other driver was being given a field sobriety test.
(Added: WSB photo outside Findlay side of scene)
11:13 AM: Thanks for the tips. There’s both a full-response Seattle Fire Department turnout and what appears to be a SWAT callout near 42nd SW and SW Findlay. Avoid the area. We are on our way to find out more.
11:16 AM: Our crew headed north to the scene can see black smoke and flames even from some distance away.
(Photo courtesy Heather Fitzpatrick)
The King County Sheriff’s Office confirms it’s their SWAT team and is sending a public-information officer. You’ll see/hear at least one TV helicopter in the area shortly.
11:22 AM: Also avoid California in that area, as it’s blocked off and more SFD equipment is on the way. This house is right on Findlay – our crew, just arrived, says it’s the one at the southwest corner of 42nd and Findlay that you might know for the old vehicles parked outside.
Here’s what Rasmus Rasmussen recorded a short time ago:
Here’s my report from the fire in West Seattle. Cc @westseattleblog @KING5Seattle @komonews pic.twitter.com/zkDWmwH5U9
— Rasmus Rasmussen (@theprint) May 11, 2018
(Video courtesy Rasmus Rasmussen, who narrates)
11:34 AM: SFD has just upsized this to a two-alarm fire. They also have a public-information officer at the scene so we should find out more soon. The sheriff’s SWAT arrival preceded the fire – we had just been getting tips about it and were starting to head that way when we got word of the fire callout.
(Video courtesy Bruce Butterfield)
11:47 AM: Commenter says at least one citywide reported this had to do with the eviction. KCSO is the agency accountable for those, though not usually with SWAT teams. We cross-referenced court records and have found documents confirming that today was the deadline for a person whose address was shown at that house to get out; the action was filed by the estate of the owner, apparently a relative. Researching more. Again, avoid California/Findlay/42nd – California is blocked north to Brandon.
NOON: There’s also a power outage in the area – wires are down because of the fire. Not on the City Light map so far.
12:15 PM: Now the outage is mapped – 1,595 homes/businesses.
Meantime, the fire is mostly out. (added) We just talked to SFD. They say the fire started in the basement and spread to the rest of the house. They also say KCSO had warned them there might be ammunition in the house. Since the fire is mostly out, they and SWAT will be going in soon to find out if anyone was inside.
12:30 PM: Here’s what KCSO just told WSB’s Christopher Boffoli: The SWAT team was there to try to evict the resident because 24 firearms were registered to the residence. They did NOT fire any shots nor use any incendiary devices. Neighbors hadn’t seen the resident – the son of the house’s now-deceased owner – since December. He was to be evicted because the house was to be sold. Officers had tried to get in by piercing the screen door, and KCSO says that’s when they realized the house was on fire. They don’t know yet if the man, in his 50s, was inside. (added) SFD meantime tells us the fire went to a second alarm not because of its size but because it was a complicated situation.
12:55 PM: KCSO is gearing up with breathing masks to go inside the house. They also tell us that there was some indication the 51-year-old man had mental-health challenges, so they had brought a mental-health professional with them when they arrived to try the eviction.
1:13 PM: KCSO confirms a body has been found. Meantime, we’re continuing to read the court documents associated with the eviction case. The 51-year-old son of the owner was originally ordered to leave more than a year ago – April 30, 2017. Also: A drone will be used at the scene soon to “evaluate for hazards,” according to scanner traffic.
1:59 PM: The Sheriff’s Office also says that it won’t be the one to confirm whether the body is that of the house’s resident and eviction target; that will be up to the Medical Examiner. KCSO is saying only that the dead person is a man. They will remain on scene investigating, with help from SFD and SPD.
2:18 PM: California is back open. The power is back on in the area, too. Those, we have verified in person; via scanner, we hear that authorities have set up a “hot zone” around the house while continuing to investigate what’s inside it. Also, added above the 12:30 pm update is Christopher’s video of the briefing given at that time. (added) KCSO says via Twitter that “an explosive device was located inside the house,” therefore the extra caution.
2:52 PM: An update from KCSO – never mind, it was NOT an explosive device:
UPDATE#2 There is NO EXPLOSIVE device in the residence. On further exam, BDU personnel were able to determine the device they found was not explosive. They are continuing to search the house at this point with machines until they are sure it is safe for Deputies to go in.
— KingcosoPIO (@kingcosoPIO) May 11, 2018
3:15 PM: Elaborating at the scene, KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Jason Houck says the alleged “device” turned out to be a CD case with a bunch of wires. Meantime, as the investigation will continue for some hours, side streets in the area including SW Findlay will remain closed TFN.
4:01 PM: No further updates. KCSO and SFD were downsizing the scene at last report; we’ll be going back over in about half an hour to check on the status of things. Meantime, some lingering after-effects of the earlier power outage – West Seattle Nursery, at California/Brandon, says its phones and registers are continuing to have some trouble so while they’re open, you might consider waiting until tomorrow instead of visiting today.
4:24 PM: KCSO has just sent a news release. We’ve reported everything in it, but in case you’d like to see it all in one place … here it is. (A few minutes later …) And here’s the SFD news release.
6:31 PM: Stopped back at the scene a while ago. Findlay is open; 42nd was still blocked. Firefighters are still on site:
Below those two, the burned house was partly visible through the shrubbery along Findlay:
The old vehicles, still parked along the alley, apparently undamaged.
ADDED SATURDAY: We received this photo from Dan, who says this is some of what KCSO brought out of the house Friday night:
We’re reaching out to KCSO with followup questions, though we might not hear back until Monday.
SATURDAY NIGHT UPDATE: We did just hear back from KCSO Sgt. Houck – but he says reports with the full tally of what was found won’t be available until Monday.
@westseattleblog shooting at west seattle stadium, initial police response pic.twitter.com/Xd1DYnkyNt
— Kate Jesse (@KRJESSE) May 9, 2018
(Video of police arriving, tweeted by Kate)
7:47 PM: Police and fire are converging on West Seattle Stadium for what is logged as a “scenes of violence” response (we had just confirmed yesterday, that’s the new name for what used to be “assault with weapons”). No word yet on the circumstances – scanner indicates at least one person is being sought – we’re on our way to find out more.
(Texted photo)
7:50 PM: Per scanner, at least one witness says shots were fired and then a male in a red hoodie and gray pants took off.
7:58 PM: Also per scanner, a gray Toyota Camry with hood damage might be linked to this. There is a victim who’s being taken to the hospital.
8:06 PM: Police are “shutting down the lower lot,” they’ve said via radio, while the investigation continues. And we should take a moment to say thanks for all the tips and photos.
8:09 PM: SPD says the victim is an “adult male shot several times, rushed to HMC with life-threatening injuries.” Commenters are saying the event at the stadium when this happened was a Seattle Parks track meet.
8:17 PM: Also note that 35th NB is down to one lane by the stadium, with the entrance blocked off, our crew reports. The investigation is concentrated on the west end of the stadium.
8:27 PM: Detectives continue talking with people at the stadium/golf course. No update on victim or suspect so far.
8:49 PM: We’re continuing to await someone who is authorized to brief media. Meantime, a commenter/witness is first to offer an account of what may have preceded the shooting.
9:16 PM: Seattle PD’s on-call public information officer Det. Mark Jamieson tells us he’s on his way to the scene so we should have an update before too long – our crew is still there.
10:01 PM: Police tell us that the victim has died. More from the briefing shortly. (added) Our crew says Det. Jamieson actually had little else to say – nothing about circumstances, no description details. (We’ll add full video of his briefing once it’s uploaded.) They checked out a tip about a possible sighting of a car like the one described early on but it didn’t pan out. If you have any information about the killer, call 911.
10:36 PM: Just listened to the briefing while it’s uploading. Three other things: Det. Jamieson said the victim was a man in his 40s. The shooting happened in the parking lot. Also, the reason they don’t have a good description of the suspect yet is that they are dealing with “conflicting reports.”
11:11 PM: Video added above. Also: This is West Seattle’s first homicide case of 2018. The last one was the deadly shooting of 25-year-old Edixon Velasquez outside his Westwood home last September. Two suspects in that case remain in jail, awaiting trial.
ADDED 8:50 AM: Lots to follow up on today, of course, but for starters, we went by the stadium this morning, and it has reopened; police completed their work at the scene overnight.
9:11 AM: Also, we are pointed to a Facebook post that confirms something we were told last night but couldn’t confirm at the time – the Rainier Beach Track Club, one of the participants at the meet, says the victim was the dad of one of their athletes..
1:05 PM: Police have added this update to the SPD Blotter account of last night’s deadly shooting: “Detectives now believe that the victim in last night’s shooting may have been targeted. Detectives are still working to identify additional witnesses. Anyone with information on last night’s incident is urged to contact the Seattle Police Tip Line at 206-233-5000.”
3:50 PM: We sent Seattle Parks a few questions this morning and just got answers this afternoon. Via spokesperson Rachel Schulkin, they confirm that Rainier Beach and High Point athletes were at the meet when this happened. A meet for North Seattle teams that was scheduled for the stadium today will go on as planned. And as mentioned earlier today, the stadium is open in general Also:
In the wake of Tuesday evening’s tragedy, we are working with the Seattle Police Department and community partners to support staff, volunteers, children, and their families during this difficult time. As a result of this tragedy, we are also working to potentially postpone and relocate upcoming track meets to different locations.
7:23 PM: In comments, Shelley shares a GoFundMe link just set up for the family of the victim, who is identified on that page as Lorenzo Marr.
12:23 AM: If you’re hearing the sirens – an “assault with weapons” response is headed for the 9300 block of 32nd SW. Radio transmissions describe the situation as someone with a “self-inflicted gunshot wound” to the leg. Whether accidental or deliberate, we don’t know.
12:34 AM: Another set of sirens not too far from there – SFD responded to what was first responded as possibly some kind of fire in a parking lot at Westwood Village, but is now being reported as a “small fire in a back yard” in the (updated) 8800 block of 24th SW.
(Added: WSB photo)
3:41 PM: A motorcycle rider is reported to be hurt in an incident at Fauntleroy and Raymond [map]. We don’t know anything about the circumstances yet but are on our way to check.
3:50 PM: Our crew just arrived. Traffic is getting through. SFD has left; a private ambulance is on scene.
3:59 PM: We talked with police at the scene (on the south/westbound side). They don’t believe there was a collision – the rider apparently was trying to get around a driver who had edged into the intersection, and took a fall. AMR is taking him to the hospital to be checked out.
8:21 PM: Avoid Admiral Way west of Schmitz Park – there’s a significant emergency response after a driver hit a utility pole on the uphill (eastbound) side of the road. We just happened onto the scene after leaving a meeting nearby; it appears there’s other damage further west on the same side of the road, before the pole – which looks to be leaning – stopped the car. We don’t know the status of the driver, but the SFD response does not include a medic unit, which suggests no major injuries.
8:23 PM: The last SFD units have just left; City Light and Seattle Police are handling it from here on out.
9:23 PM: Thanks to Don Brubeck for the update that Admiral is now closed both ways at the crash scene.
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