West Seattle, Washington
29 Tuesday
From Keri:
(Wednesday) someone walked into our driveway and stole our “moped.”
This was a project that my husband and my son have worked on together for the past two years. The value is simply theirs- a father / son project that means something to them; time working on a project. To make this moped work takes some tinkering and may not have much value to anyone else. I suspect it may be quickly dumped. If anyone spots it or it turns up, please contact me at jo*****@*ac.com, it would mean a lot to us to get it back. It is an old school red Trek Mountain bike that got me through college, “modified “into a moped / scooter.
It’s been reported to police – early tracking number T18010209.
Police released photos Wednesday night of four people they describe as “associated with” one of this year’s four remaining unsolved West Seattle murders – the July 20th stabbing death of 34-year-old Mike Abay. From SPD:
Detectives are attempting to identify two men and two women associated with the July 20th fatal stabbing that occurred at 16th Avenue SW and SW Cambridge Street. All four were captured on surveillance cameras in the area of the stabbing.
If you recognize any of the individuals, or have additional information, please call the tip line at 206- 233-5000.
Police did not elaborate on why or how they believe these people are “associated” with the July 20th stabbing. That night, police said, someone called SPD to report a man down in the street, and when they arrived, Mr. Abay was already dead.
(WSB photo, last Thursday night)
3:37 PM: Just in from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office: 16-year-old Loyan A. Ahmed has been charged as an adult in the shooting death last Thursday night of 37-year-old Taylor Fehlen. He is charged with second-degree murder and unlawful gun possession. We don’t have the charging documents yet but we have the probable-cause document, from which the following is taken, with all but suspect and victim names redacted. It also reveals what preceded the murder:
On August 09, 2018 at approximately 2309 hours, Seattle Police Officers responded to a shooting at 35 Ave SW and SW Morgan Street. Officers arrived and located a victim down on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds. Witnesses told them that after shooting the victim multiple times the armed male suspect ran northeast across 35 Ave SW. The victim was lying on the sidewalk near the northwest comer of the intersection.
Seattle Fire Medics transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center where he died from his injuries. The victim was identified as 37-year-old Taylor C. Fehlen. Homicide detectives were called to the scene.
Metro Coach #7003 was parked beside where the victim fell. Officers located several shell casings and the Coach appeared to have been struck by gunfire. Officers learned that the victim and the suspect had both been passengers on board the Metro Coach.
Witnesses consistently described the shooter as a young Black male, wearing a dark colored hoodie and long pants. Officers scoured the area immediately but did not find the suspect. An SPD Police Dog (PD) verified witness testimony that the suspect ran to the NE, across 35th Ave SW, through a parking lot of a Walgreens drug store. During the determined PD search, a semi-automatic firearm was discovered in some shrubs on the east side of that store. The gun was out-of-battery as if it had recently been used. A single bullet was “stove-piped” in the firing chamber.
The caliber and brand of ammunition in the gun were the same as those found at the shooting scene. The PD also alerted to on fenced yards east of the alley but the suspect was not located. Detectives determined that the Metro Coach was equipped with security cameras that recorded the incident.
A review of that footage showed the suspect boarded the Coach at 16 Ave SW and SW Roxbury. When he boarded the coach, he paid for his fare by “tapping” his ORCA card. During their investigation, detectives leamed the card had been issued to Loyan A. Ahmed … The victim, and several other passengers were already on board. Ahmed sat directly behind the driver. To the ire of the passengers, Ahmed repeatedly pulled the stop cord on the coach. The driver stopped the coach each time but Ahmed didn’t disembark. The driver and passengers, including the victim, expressed their anger at Ahmed. Ahmed and the victim quarreled … After this occurred the Ahmed appeared to ready himself by deliberately dawning his hood, synching the drawstring to conceal his face and by tucking in his pant legs. As the coach neared the intersection of 35 Ave SW and SW Morgan Street the victim raised from his seat and pulled the stop cord. Ahmed got up and moved to the back door where he manipulated something under his hoodie in his waistband. When the door opened, Ahmed got off, walked a short distance and waited for the victim. Ahmed yelled for the victim to get off the bus. The victim exited the front door and started walking toward Ahmed. Ahmed drew a handgun from his waist, shot the victim multiple times and ran off.
Still images depicting the suspect were disseminated to local media.
Detectives obtained a recent school photo of Ahmed and he matched the suspect depicted in the Metro video. Further, they determined that Ahmed lived with his mother … The residence is blocks from the crime scene and in direct line with the suspect’s direction of travel from the scene.
Detectives were preparing to arrest Ahmed for the murder when his mother unexpectedly called 9ll. She reported that her juvenile soon wanted to talk to police about being a murder suspect. (A detective) called Ahmed’s mother … She informed me that she had seen images of her son on the West Seattle Blog and identified him as being the murder suspect. SPD SWAT responded to their residence where Ahmed was taken into custody without incident.
The suspect’s arraignment – initial hearing for entering a plea – is set for August 29th.
ADDED 3:56 PM: We now also have the charging documents, with the additional details that prosecutors requested $1 million bail and that the suspect has “no known criminal history.”
Amanda at Pharmaca in The Junction is hoping someone can help identify the shoplifters in that video:
These women have been in our shop and others in the Alaska Junction multiple times stealing. Not only do they hit us, they then turn around and scam other people by selling the items online. … They are normally just two African American women I would say mid twenties, always dressed nice but always with big bags. The one is about 5’4″ and this time had blue braids. The other girl who normally comes with her is about 5’4″-5’6″. They are mostly non-confrontational but when approached become rude and intimidating.
So it’s the two girls who have come before, and this last time they had a pregnant friend with them … The car they left in was an approx 2003 silver Toyota Corolla with (a license plate starting with BIG).
You can call us at 206-932-4225. If you can recognize these women, or know the car, please reach out to me. I also have Officer Daily on the case, who can be reached at 206-733-9800.
3:31 PM: Police have now confirmed that they’ve arrested a 16-year-old suspect in last Thursday night’s deadly shooting of a 37-year-old man after the two got off a bus on the west side of the 35th and Morgan intersection. He was arrested in High Point – where detectives have been on scene along Lanham north of Graham for a while, though when we asked for comment about an hour ago, after taking the photo above, we were told they had nothing to release yet. SPD’s announcement adds, “Detectives are interviewing the teen and plan to book him into the King County Youth Service Center for investigation of murder. Thank you to everyone who called in with information about this case.” The arrest comes one day after police released Metro surveillance video of a person they described as the murder suspect. This is the fifth murder case of the year in West Seattle and the first with an arrest.
7:52 PM: The victim has been identified as Taylor C. Fehlen; a commenter shared this link to his obituary, which says a memorial gathering is planned tomorrow.
First – as reported here Saturday morning – police released still images of a person they say is the suspect they’re seeking in Thursday night’s High Point bus-stop murder. This morning, they have released video from Metro bus security cameras. Police said Friday that they believe the 37-year-old victim (who has not yet been publicly identified) and his killer were involved in a “disturbance” on board before exiting the bus on the west side of the 35th and Morgan intersection, where the shooting happened. Here’s the description of the suspect: “16-21 years old, 5’7” to 5’9”, has a thin build, and was last seen wearing a dark gray hoody & jeans.” If you have any info on his identity, the SPD tipline is 206-233-5000, or call 911.
Two thefts in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN BOAT: From Christina & Tom:
Late last night someone stole our small crab vessel belonging to the Alki Crab Club from the 2200 block of Alki Ave SW. A small trolling motor and two life vests along with paddles were taken as well. The boat was a Sears 12 foot aluminum boat named “the Sea Beach” painted blue and white with green lettering. Reward for its return to the Alki Crab Club. Thanks! Our neighbor also reports that his paddle board was stolen from his yard last week as well.
STOLEN SCOOTER: Joseph reports this happened Friday night:
1985 Honda Elite 80 scooter taken from the parking strip across from Holy Rosary office. It had been parked in front of Holy Rosary since Tuesday until my mechanic could come out to replace the wheel. He moved it across the street to the parking strip, took the wheel off, and when he went to get a part, it was taken. Steering was locked and the rear wheel was gone.
It’s an old white scooter, missing one of the side mirrors, has collector’s plates. If you see anything, please let me know ASAP – lots more sentimental value than anything else.
Seattle Police have released security-camera photos of what they describe as the suspect in Thursday night’s deadly shooting at 35th/Morgan.
The description: “He is 16-21 years old, 5’7” to 5’9”, has a thin build and was last seen wearing a dark gray hoody & jeans.” If you recognize him, call the SPD tip line at 206-233-5000, or 911. Police say the victim, 37, was shot and killed shortly after getting off a bus on which they say he and his killer had been involved in some kind of “disturbance.”
(Photo tweeted by @jpaulsea)
NOON: Since the 6 am hour, we’ve been covering a standoff that’s led police to close off much of Harbor Avenue SW, between the bridge and California Way. A man broke into one of the vacant buildings at the old Sea-Way site around 3 am. He has refused to surrender. For a while he was inside; you cannot clearly see him in the reader photo above, but for some time he has been outside one building’s window, on an awning/ledge section. The SWAT team and negotiators have been on site for hours trying to talk him into giving up; he’s reported to be wielding a foot-long piece of broken glass as well as a screwdriver. Harbor remains closed at the bridge and at California Way. Some bicyclists have reported that the path was closed as well as the road. Our photographer, who went to the scene for a while early this morning, is back there now so we’ll have updates from him as well as via scanner.
(WSB photo)
12:23 PM: Our crew reports this is coming to an end. The man apparently tried to bolt, and was taken into custody.
12:28 PM: Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis tells us at the scene that they’ll get Harbor Avenue reopened as fast as they can – hopefully within 15 minutes or so.
12:49 PM: Per scanner, reopening now. We will update with more photos and followup info a bit later.
2:20 PM: Two more photos added above, including the man as he came down from the ledge. It wasn’t clear from radio communication at the time whether he was being taken to Harborview for evaluation or directly to jail; SPD media relations says the former.
6:38 AM: Thanks for the text. We just went back to Harbor Avenue to check out a different police-incident report. This is near but unrelated to the earlier call. A man broke into a nearby building and so far is refusing to come out.
7:24 AM: Additional emergency responders are being sent to the scene, per scanner, including SWAT, as well as SFD medics. If you can’t tell from our photo, it’s the former Sea-Way Marine site in the 2400 block of Harbor SW.
7:42 AM: Traffic is being blocked off on Harbor in both directions – north/westbound at Spokane, south/eastbound at California, per the scanner – until this is resolved.
9:26 AM: Not resolved yet. Thanks to the texter who sent the photo above. The suspect has been reported to have wielded various items threateningly, including broken glass and a screwdriver. Police continue trying to talk him into surrendering.
9:56 AM: As discussed in comments, the traffic closure is ALL traffic – bike/pedestrian path as well as both directions of the road.
11:26 AM: No change. Police are still trying to talk the man into surrendering. Since this has dragged on so long, we’re launching a second report shortly.
12:00 PM: We’ve launched afternoon coverage here.
(First & last photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
11:23 PM: Thanks for the tips. There’s a “scenes of violence” response at 35th and Morgan. Some texters report having heard gunfire. More details soon.
11:29 PM: Per scanner, a victim is being taken to Harborview Medical Center.
11:40 PM: Also per scanner, the victim is a 20-year-old with two gunshot wounds. A gun has been found nearby. Our crew has just arrived and we are adding a photo from the west side of the intersection.
(This photo and next by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli)
11:55 PM: No arrest reported so far. Since a bus/bus stop is involved, county officers are there along with SPD. Also, our crew says the intersection of 35th/Morgan is closed off.
1:42 AM: Police at the scene refused to comment and pointed us to media relations, but they aren’t commenting yet. So our crew finally left. Homicide detectives were among the police at the scene, though we’ll note that doesn’t necessarily indicate anything about the victim’s fate – they respond to some non-fatal incidents too.
Meantime, we just heard via the scanner that most of the intersection (except for the scene on the northwest side) is reopening.
8:07 AM UPDATE: Just talked to Det. Mark Jamieson of the SPD media-relations team. The victim, now described as a 37-year-old man, died at the hospital. No arrest yet. He says they believe the victim and the killer got into an argument on a bus, got off at the westbound Morgan stop (shown in our photos), it escalated, and that’s when the killer shot the victim. No description of the killer. They are asking anyone with information to call the tipline at 206-233-5000.
9:09 AM: This is also now on SPD Blotter. Meantime, we need to also note that it’s the fifth West Seattle homicide of the year – all in the past three months – after the deadly shooting of Micaiah Kotthoff in the east Highland Park area in July, the stabbing deaths of Michael Abay in South Delridge in July and Jonathan Pecina near Luna/Anchor Park in June, and the shooting death of Lorenzo Marr in May at West Seattle Stadium. No arrests reported in any of these cases so far.
Be part of shaping your nearest Microcommunity Policing Plan, while sharing your feedback about neighborhood crime, safety, and policing. You can do that by participating in one of the focus groups that will be conducted by Seattle University – SPD won’t be present, but will get the eventual findings. Here’s what’s coming up this month in West Seattle:
–High Point Community: 8/11, 2-3 pm, at High Point Library [3411 SW Raymond]
–Fauntleroy Community: 8/15, 5:30-6:30 pm, at Southwest Library [9010 35th SW]
–Morgan Junction Community: 8/19, 3-4 pm, at High Point Library
–Commercial Harbor Island Community: 8/20, 6-7 pm, at Delridge Library [5423 Delridge Way SW]
–Pigeon Point Community: 8/25, 11:30-12:30 pm, at Delridge Library
–Commercial Duwamish Community: 8/27, 6-7 pm, at Delridge Library
–Alki Community: 8/29, 6-7 pm, at West Seattle Library [2306 42nd SW]
You can contact the Southwest Precinct‘s Seattle U intern Tiana Lee with questions, and to RSVP, at le****@******eu.edu
Earlier today, we showed two “found” bicycles … tonight, a stolen bike:
Scott sent the photo and explains:
I made the foolish mistake of leaving my dear wife’s venerable, 28-year-old Cannondale everythingbike locked on our car’s roof rack last night. It walked away from our parking lot at Youngstown/Cooper sometime after midnight … It’s a 1991ish Cannondale FS700, frame size 16”, with distinctive silver alloy up handlebars, Shimano 8spd thumb shifters, a sturdy black rack on the back, and blue/black paint with white Cannondale lettering. Brass colored bell, cork grips, and it likely will have a mismatched front wheel as the old one was left in our car.
6:03 PM: Thanks for the tips. A police search in Sunrise Heights followed a 2-car crash at 31st and Elmgrove. Readers report one person was taken to the hospital and the other driver bolted, which led to the search.
6:23 PM: We’re in the area. Elmgrove is blocked off, with police cars and crime-scene tape. Traffic Collision Investigation Squad detectives are here; police confirm one driver was transported to the hospital and the other is being sought.
Police say the car below is the one whose driver was taken to the hospital; they’re looking for the driver of the one above.
They expect Elmgrove will be closed another hour or so.
7:10 PM: Updated which car was which, after neighbors corrected us.
8:17 PM: We asked SFD about the driver taken to the hospital. Tge man’s believed to be in his early 30s and his injuries were not life-threatening.
ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: Another stolen vehicle to watch for, this one taken from the garage at The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW): “Dodge 1991 D350 white flatbed truck. Black rims, black grille, white exterior, tool/utility boxes underneath and on flatbed. Wooden side panels on flatbed. California plates. Cash reward. Report to police if found; call Jacob at 206-484-9232 with information.”
UPDATE: The truck has been found – apparently spotted by a reader.
From Tim, a stolen-vehicle report: “Gray Toyota 4Runner ’99 SUV. Washington plates 231XWQ. Also: Black brush guard on the front end. Stolen Saturday night, 98th and 17th SW. Please call 911 if you see it!”
RESTAURANT BURGLARY: The manager of El Chupacabra on Alki says a security camera caught this man breaking into their restaurant Thursday morning:
If you think you recognize him, contact police and refer to incident #2018-285377.
GAS THEFT: Amy had an unpleasant surprise Thursday night: “Wanted to report that someone stole all the gas out of my car. I am a water taxi commuter, and had the vehicle parked at Salty’s. Last night I returned to the vehicle late after seeing a movie and noticed my gas light was on and the needle below E. I had filled the 17 gallon tank on July 30th, and had 51 miles on the odometer. Maybe send out a warning to commuters if they don’t have a locking gas cap that this could be a trend.”
And a followup note:
STOLEN VEHICLES FOUND: The two stolen vehicles most recently reported here in Crime Watch have both been found – the Toyota pickup stolen from Delridge was found on Puget Ridge; the Accord stolen in Admiral was found in Skyway.
Reader report, from Ile:
I got out to my car this morning parked at 42nd and Hudson and not only had it been rifled through but they attempted to steal it with a filed-down key. They took the typical stuff like charger cords, a little black bag with some CDs (I hope they like jazz), my Leatherman, my registration and a bunch of stupid stuff from the glove compartment, etc. If you see any of this dumped, please let me know. He or she did take my commemorative Lakewood PD pin I was given some time back which really stings. Oddly enough I did see a white guy in his 20s with a blue backpack, sunglasses, with curly bushy hair under a ball cap walking through the alley looking around suspiciously about two hours after I parked. Please be on the lookout for strange activity.
SPD incident # is 2018-285485.
Another stolen vehicle reported today via e-mail:
White Toyota ’95 Pickup
Montana plates with a bear on it BGU-219
Also: Stickers on the truck include Pacific Crest Trail and Pacific Northwest Trail logos
Stolen today at 12 noon, 23rd SW/Willow, close to Home Depot
Call 911 if you see it!
In West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:
STOLEN MAROON ACCORD: Terra hopes you will be on the lookout for her car:
My car was stolen from the open garage/carport in front of our house – (3000 block of) Garlough Ave SW – sometime between 7:00 pm last night (7/31) and 10:00 am this morning (8/1). Maroon 1994 Honda Accord, licence plate AOE 4344, with a KEXP sticker on the rear bumper. Have filed a report with the police. I had hoped keeping it off the street with club on it would protect it, and it worked for a number of years, but I guess my luck finally ran out :(
And while we’re on the topic of auto theft:
PLEA BARGAIN FOR NICHOLAS WATSON: In a routine check of the online files in cases we’re tracking, we discovered that the most-recent cases against 36-year-old repeat offender Nicholas D. Watson have been resolved with a plea bargain. Documents indicate Watson pleaded guilty in two stolen-car cases; the case that resulted after he broke into a house in Upper Morgan was dropped. His sentence, in addition to credit for time he has already spent in jail (roughly 2 1/2 months cumulative in 7 bookings in the past year): Three to six months residential DOSA (Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative), for which he was ordered to report to a treatment facility outside the metro area.
(WSB photo, Saturday)
4:02 PM: The man found shot to death in the 8400 block of 1st Avenue S. in southeast West Seattle on Saturday afternoon was identified today as 30-year-old Micaiah Kotthoff. The King County Medical Examiner says he died from a gunshot wound to the head. Police tell WSB that no one’s been arrested and there’s nothing new to say regarding the investigation; on Saturday, they said that a witness described the vehicle that took off, possibly after dumping the victim, only as “gray.” They also have no new information regarding whether the killing is linked to the non-fatal shooting whose victim turned up outside Arrowhead Gardens later in the day. If you have any information, the SPD tipline is 206-233-5000.
ADDED 4:31 PM: The most recent public record, from May, shows the victim with a Highland Park address.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch today, both involving broken car windows:
WESTCREST PARK: That photo is from K, who says it happened at Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area today and wants to warn others that “someone is there prowling today.” She adds, “They stole shoes and a few other items.”
SEAVIEW: Lori also sent a photo and report, saying someone shattered her car’s rear window Friday night:
“Not sure what they used, but it made a big hole in the side area. We are in 5600 block of 49th Ave SW. Our car is a 1996 white GEO Prizm.”
(WSB photo)
6:03 PM: Now police and fire are at the scene of another shooting incident in southeast West Seattle, with someone found outside the Arrowhead Gardens senior-apartments complex (9200 2nd SW) with what is reported to be a gunshot wound to the arm. No other info yet; we’re headed to that scene.
6:23 PM: As you probably know, this scene is not far from the earlier homicide on 1st Avenue S. Though the victim here does not have life-threatening wounds, a Homicide Unit detective is here, and they will only say they are looking to see whether the two incidents might be related. The victim here, meantime, has two wounds to the arm; he will be taken to the hospital by private (AMR) ambulance.
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