West Seattle, Washington
23 Saturday
12:17 AM: Police are investigatng a reported shooting at Delridge/Findlay. One man is reported wounded, “shot in the back” per SFD dispatch. No suspect description yet except “male in a red shirt.” Updates to come.
12:26 AM: Police believe the shooting happened in front of the Shell station (which is closed for the night); they told dispatch they’ve found a casing. They’re also closing Delridge Way at the scene.
12:34 AM: The victim, a 20-year-old man, is being taken to Harborview by SFD medics. Police, meantime, now believe they’re looking for two suspects; a K-9 team is helping search.
12:47 AM: If you live in the area, you’ll hear police PA announcements and siren “chirping,” which is meant as a warning to possibly hiding suspect(s) that they’re nearby with a dog.
1:34 AM: So far, no success. Meantime, the street is open again.
6:22 PM: According to radio exchanges between dispatch and police, Guardian One is over the Don Armeni Boat Ramp area because it’s assisting King County Sheriff’s Office deputies with tracking suspects in a Burien-area carjacking. Avoid the area.
6:29 PM: King County and SPD units are now pursuing the vehicle, described as the gold Suburban that was stolen in the carjacking, southbound on Harbor.
6:31 PM: According to radio exchanges, the vehicle is still on the move but one suspect is in custody at or near Harbor/Spokane.
6:39 PM: The stolen vehicle is now reported to be stolen in a fiery crash at West Marginal Way/2nd SW. Law-enforcement officers and the helicopter were reported to have lost track of the vehicle before this happened. At least one person may still have been in the vehicle, which is now reported to be engulfed in flames.
(Image from nearest SDOT camera)
6:44 PM: SPD says SFD is telling them no one is in the vehicle. … The Suburban reportedly collided with a semitruck, though we don’t know if it was moving or parked. … And now police are saying the other suspect IS in the vehicle.
7:07 PM: One person is going to be taken to Harborview, per SFD. Note that streets are closed and buses (routes 131 and 132) rerouted in this area because of the crash investigation.
(WSB photo)
7:35 PM: Above, that’s the Suburban, in a photo sent by our crew just after they arrived. And this is the semi:
(WSB photo)
7:51 PM: We and a few other media crews are awaiting an SPD public-information officer. Meantime the officers and firefighters at the scene are awaiting an SDOT incident-response team to clean up an extensive fluid slick and other debris.
7:56 PM: The official briefing hasn’t happened yet but SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo is there too and has told us that the 53-year-old truck driver was checked out and OK, while the driver of the stolen car was in critical condition when transported.
8:44 PM: Both SFD’s Cuerpo and SPD spokesperson Officer Brian Pritchard have briefed us. The only major details beyond what we’ve reported above are that the first suspect, (updated) 21 years old, was arrested when he jumped out of the stolen vehicle at Harbor/Spokane; the person left behind in the vehicle, a juvenile, decided to drive off, and that’s the person who crashed the Suburban and was pulled from the wreckage.
10:31 PM: Police at the scene just told dispatch that the streets are cleared and reopened.
We’re catching up with the files in some long-running criminal cases. First: A reader tipped us that the case of a quadruple shooting at Alki Beach in June 2021, killing one person and injuring three others, has ended in a plea agreement.
(June 2021 photo by David Hutchinson)
Milton Arnold III of Des Moines, now 21, originally was charged with second-degree murder for killing 22-year-old Tilorae Shepherd of Federal Way and two counts of first-degree assault for wounding a man and woman (the fourth victim was a friend of Arnold, hit accidentally). The gunfire followed a confrontation over fireworks, as detailed in our first report on the original charges. At some point Shepherd reportedly displayed a gun but did not pull it. Arnold claimed he fired in self-defense, and prosecutors cited that as the reason for reducing the charges; he pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree manslaughter and two counts of second-degree assault. He had no prior convictions, and court documents show that last month King County Superior Court Judge Ken Schubert sentenced him to a total of four and a half years in prison. That will include credit for time served since his arrest two and a half years ago.
For a second consecutive night, police are investigating gunfire in Highland Park. They responded to a call from someone who reported seeing someone fire a gun out a car window in the 8100 block of 8th SW around 8:23 pm. The caller then said they found at least one shell casing while police were on the way. No injuries are reported; the only description so far is that the person fired toward a building from the passenger side of an “early model sedan” that was last seen heading west on SW Elmgrove. This is about half a mile south of where last night’s gunfire happened.
If you happen onto an abandoned electric scooter, it might belong to Joel, who emailed to report: “I today had my Nami Burn-E 2 Max electric scooter stolen from the South side bike rack of the Admiral Junction Safeway across from Hiawatha park at approximately 12:40 PM. It is black and weighs about 100 lbs. There is a security code for starting it.”
1:33 AM: After 911 calls reporting suspected gunfire near 12th/Holden about 15 minutes ago, police have found evidence in an alley. Officers have told dispatch they’ve located at least six casings. … A nearby resident also is reporting two bullet holes in their apartment. No injuries reported so far.
2:10 AM: SPD says “multiple units were damaged.”
Two reader reports:
STOLEN BACKPACK: If you find one, it might be the one to which Brian referred in this note: “I want to report a stolen backpack with valuables taken from my friend’s car on Beach Drive north of Me Kwa Mooks as she was moving a recycle bin from the driveway.. If found, call 206 992-7219 … This happened yesterday, December 26, at about 3:45 pm and was reported to Seattle Police already.” (We’re awaiting descriptive information.)
APPARENTLY ABANDONED BICYCLE: John says this bike was left against a North Admiral utility pole:
Let us know if it’s yours.
Reader report from W:
Just want to report mail theft at 4866 Beach Dr SW – doors completely ripped off and mail gone :/ I’m reporting it to USPS.
If this happens to you – you can file reports online with the US Postal Inspection Service.
Two reader reports:
STREET ROBBERY: Sent on behalf of a neighbor:
I wanted to let you know of a mugging/robbery at about 6:30-7pm Christmas Eve so others are aware. Began on 32nd Ave SW (backside of Roxhill Elementary schoolyard), when a female pedestrian walking to look at holiday lights noticed a white four-door sedan suspiciously following her. Several people in the car. After she turned east onto Holden, she noticed the car paused at stop sign. Feeling like they were watching her, she bolted into alley between 32nd and 31st to evade. Car did not follow into alley, but as she walked south toward Kenyon, the car appeared and turned into the alley, blocking her exit.
Male passenger jumped out of car, blocking her way, wearing a gorilla mask. He grabbed her scarf and arms/hands. Wired headphones were pulled from her head, phone grabbed, and other things in her hands. She started screaming, tore away, and ran down the street and hid in someone’s yard. When she ran away, the car was in the alley at Kenyon pointing north (the direction of Holden), but she does not know where the car went after that.
Male wearing gorilla mask seemed younger (adult or older teen), slim build, maybe 5’9” but no additional information. She said male driver had longer dark hair, pulled back in what appeared to be locks but could not recall specific race or ethnicity, or license plate details. She reported it to SPD last night.
As someone who lives in that neighborhood, we have heard of other experiences of cars following closely in the morning when walking dogs, and have seen ourselves cars of young men speeding up threateningly to scare us when we crossed the street.
If you have any information on this incident, the SPD case number to reference is 23-368963.
APPARENTLY ABANDONED BICYCLE: Seen in The Junction:
In front of this building on 44th SW [4500 block], possibly stolen and dumped.
Two incidents, including one unfolding right now:
BUSINESS BURGLARY: Police were called to West Seattle Smoke Company in The Junction about half an hour because of a broken window; security video showed the shop had been burglarized and showed the burglar leaving on foot. Right now they’re questioning a suspect, a man who was reported to 911 for showing up at a Morgan Junction business with bloody hands. No word yet on what was taken from the shop, but video there showed the burglar carrying two bags when he left. (Tuesday update: The suspect was arrested.)
PACKAGE THIEF: Kevin sent the video:
He says the person in the video “was casing cars and stealing packages along Beach Dr SW just south of Jacobsen=(Friday) around 10:20 am.”
SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Remember the food-bank-fundraising buskers we told you about earlier? We just found out that one musician’s car was stolen while they were performing:
Stolen VW Golf, 2005
Gray, WA plate 612-ZHK
(Pic shows roof just before it was repainted, roof now has new paint)Parked at the paid lot on 44th, between Alaska and Edmunds
(paid and have the receipt!)
Parked at 10:50 am today, Saturday Dec. 23 to busk for the Food Bank
Returned to the lot at 1:15 pm and the car was gone.
It’s a manual transmission, so hopefully it didn’t go too far.Police report filed.
If you see the car please call 9-1-1 and give report # 23-367922
SUNDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Found … abandoned one lot away from where it was taken … with a candy cane and “Merry Christmas” note on the door.
(SPD dash-cam image from charging documents, showing pursued vehicle knocking down road markers)
10:40 AM: The three teenagers arrested Monday night after a police pursuit that followed three West Seattle incidents are now charged.
All three are scheduled for arraignment at 1:30 pm today on three charges each, according to the documents we received from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office early this morning. We are not naming them because they are charged as juveniles. Each is charged with one count of first-degree attempted robbery and one count of second-degree robbery; Suspects #1 and #3, 14 and 16 years old, are each charged with second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission, while suspect #2, 14, is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.
The narrative in the charging documents says the three calls came in to 911 within the span of eight minutes just before 10 pm on Monday – first 2800 block of Alki, then 59th/Admiral, then 5700 block of Beach Drive. All listed similar descriptions of the people involved and a “silver vehicle.” One officer saw a silver Hyundai U-turning on Beach Drive while he was responding to the Beach Drive call – the victim pointed to it and he asked “is that them?” – and the pursuit began shortly after that. The driver – allegedly 14-year-old Suspect #1 (identified later via a specific piece of clothing seen on dash-cam video) – subsequently led officers on a chase at – as we reported that night – speeds up to 90 mph, before police deployed a “tire deflator device,” which led to them stopping and running near the north end of Boeing Field.
Here’s what the victims told police about what happened: In the 2800 block of Alki, he left his workplace and crossed the street to his parked car, and when starting to open it was approached by a masked person who said “give me your car, I have a gun.” He closed and locked his car and ran away back to his workplace to call 911.
At 59th/Admiral, three minutes later, a woman had just parked near her home and was responding to a text message when someone started banging on her car windows. She backed out of the space in a panic – reportedly hitting the suspects’ car in the process; as she drove away, she told police, they pursued her, but she lost them.
In the 5700 block of Beach Drive, the victim had just walked back to her car after viewing Christmas lights when “three males … swarmed” her, police wrote, demanding “give me the keys, give me the car.” One went into her car and stole her phone as well as one belonging to a friend who had accompanied her. She fled to a nearby house, tried to seek help “but was unsuccessful,” went back to her car figuring they were gone, but they weren’t; she said one grabbed her legs and threatened to shoot her, before they took her key fob and fled. Police were on the way because a witness had called, hearing the victim scream.
The charging documents do not include information about where the suspects live. Online records do not show previous cases for any of them. They continue to be held in juvenile detention; that will be reviewed again when they are arraigned this afternoon, and we’ll update.
8:50 PM: All pleaded not guilty at their arraignments today, and Judge Nelson Lee ordered all three to remain in juvenile detention. That will be reviewed again when they return to court January 3rd.
3:45 AM: Police responding to an alarm at the Westwood Village Game Stop store around 2:45 am reported finding “a vehicle in the building.” Whoever was in the vehicle was gone before officers arrived. No further details so far, but we’ll follow up.
8:47 AM: Here’s what SPD tells us: “Officers arrived and found a KIA sedan had been reversed into the entry doors of a business in the Westwood Village. Once inside the store, the burglars stole various game consoles before fleeing in a second vehicle. All three suspects were described to be Black males wearing masks, hooded sweatshirts, black pants, and black shoes. The keyholders of the business responded after the building was cleared by police. The vehicle used to break into the business was abandoned and an unreported stolen. It was impounded for evidence processing.” (“Unreported stolen” means the owner didn’t know it was gone until contacted by police.)
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
TOOL THEFT TURNED ROBBERY: We noted a robbery call logged very early this morning and asked SPD for details: “Police responded to a report of a robbery in the 4500 block of 36 AV SW around 4:30 a.m. this morning. Officers responded and located the victim, who was pepper sprayed. It was reported the victim was confronting two suspects who were stealing tools from his vehicle. The suspects left in a truck northbound from the location. SFD responded to provide aid. Unknown what was taken at this time.” No description of the truck or robbers yet, pending the full report.
STOLEN VAN: More stolen tools – inside the work van taken from Jayson:
I just bought an older work van. Last night it was stolen. 2002 Ford E150 (cargo style van). It’s all black (black wheels) with knobby tires. It was parked at 4727 42nd Ave SW in front of Safeway. It had all of my bigger work tools and some lumber in it.
License number CKF 1516
Police/Incident report: 23-364747If you see it, please let me know. 206-696-3429 Also, if anyone needs a handyman within walking distance of the Alaska Junction, call me. I still have hand tools and need the work!
APPARENTLY ABANDONED VEHICLES: The gray Kia reported yesterday has been claimed. Maybe one or both of these have owners out there too. Daniel sent the report and photos from the neighborhood just south of Admiral Church:
Reporting on two seemingly abandoned vehicles in North Admiral. The black KIA with a broken-out rear window and ignition/steering column damage has been parked on Ferry Ave for over a month.
The dilapidated RV with both expired tabs and a funky looking short term parking permit (the second of two) also expired has been there for a couple of weeks.
He says both have been on Parking Enforcement radar for at least a week but they’re still there.
24 hours ago, we were reporting on the arrests of three teenagers near Boeing Field, pursued there by police after a three-incident crime rampage in West Seattle. This afternoon all three had their first court appearance, and we just received the toplines from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Two of the suspects are 14 years old; the third is 16. Probable cause was found to hold all three for investigation of two counts of attempted first-degree robbery. All three were ordered to remain in secure detention, at least until their next hearing on Thursday, which is also the deadline for rush-filing charges. And assuming they’re charged, that’s when we’ll find out more about them, such as whether any of them have records.
Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:
MAIL THEFT AT THE WHITTAKER: The big apartment complex at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW has sent this alert to its tenants:
We are writing to inform you regarding a recent theft incident that occurred within our community. It has come to our attention that a male individual gained access to the North building mailroom early Saturday morning and committed mail theft. This individual appeared to have the postal office’s master key and opened the mailboxes. He gained access to about half of the North building’s mailboxes.
We are actively working with local authorities and the Postal Office to investigate this matter. In the meantime, we urge you to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the local authorities immediately…. We understand the concern this may cause and want to assure you that we are taking the necessary steps to prevent any recurrence. If you have any information related to this incident, please contact Seattle PD or Postal Office.
Management also has offered advice to residents such as “retrieve your mail promptly after delivery” and to call 911 about suspicious activity in the mailbox area or parking garage. They’re also reminding residents to “remain at the gate until it closes behind you” when driving into the garage, to “prevent anyone from slipping past the gate and entering the residential space.”
ABANDONED/POSSIBLY STOLEN KIA: Dave sent this report:
At 9:45 pm last night I saw a gray Kia with its lights off taking a right onto Barton street from 36th. I thought the car was acting strange because it was going so slow and when I tried to signal the lights were off the person was clearly trying not to look at me. At 9:48 as I was walking back home I saw the car take a left back onto 36th but from Cambridge so it circled the block. The car stopped on the corner and parked the wrong way. I was waiting for my dog to go to the bathroom and saw the car’s interior lights turn on and then someone exit 2 minutes later walking up Cambridge toward 35th. I checked on the car this morning and it’s still there with its license plate gone, driver-side window broken, steering column messed up, and it had been rummaged through.
Dave was having trouble reporting it; since it was parked the wrong way, we suggested he try Parking Enforcement, 206-386-9012.
MORE CAR BREAK-INS: Kiera sent this report:
We live in the Fairmount Park area and came out (Monday) morning to find a foreign jacket in the front seat of our car. Apparently, we had accidentally left the doors unlocked. Luckily, there was nothing of value inside, but still a bit unnerving. My husband was about to throw the jacket in the trash bin when our neighbor said it belonged to him and his truck was broken into as well. Unfortunately, his window was smashed but he got his jacket back so I guess it could’ve been worse. As a 5th generation West Seattle-ite, I am so heartbroken about the ever-increasing crime that is plaguing our beloved community. It’s not something I will ever get used to. We need to do something, it needs to stop.
10:04 PM: Police suspect the same people are behind three incidents they’re investigating right now – all involving a vehicle described as a gray Nissan Murano SUV or something similar – first a robbery attempt at 63rd/Alki, second a carjacking (or attempt) on Admiral Way, then a robbery on Beach Drive. No other details yet except that police are pursuing what might be the suspects’ vehicle in the Alki area right now. Updates to come.
10:07 PM: The plates on the vehicle have checked to a Hyundai Santa Fe registered in South King County. The pursuit – reported at up to 90 mph – is moving up to the West Seattle Bridge.
10:10 PM: Now they’ve moved on to southbound I-5. While on the bridge they deployed “stop sticks” and are reporting that tire(s) on the suspects’ car have deflated and are shredding.
10:13 PM: They’re off the freeway and the suspects have bailed out of the car, with a foot pursuit ensuing. At least one person is in custody.
10:16 PM: They’re now reporting two in custody, one still on the run in a rail yard, described as “unknown male, black hoodie, jeans, late teens/early 20s.” They’re near the north end of Boeing Field [map].
10:38 PM: And officers have just told dispatch they’ve taken the third suspect into custody.
10:54 PM: Since this all initially happened so fast, police are now sorting out the original incidents. They’ve said it started with a robbery attempt in the 2800 block of Alki near Cactus, then the carjacking attempt near 59th/Admiral, then the robbery (or attempt) in the 5700 block of Beach Drive. They’re also trying to catch up with the victims (so if by any chance that’s you, you might consider calling 911).
11:43 PM: Two commenters note that the Beach Drive incident happened near the Menashe Family Christmas lights display. Meantime, one suspect has been described over the air as 14 years old.
TUESDAY MIDDAY UPDATE: Here’s how SPD summarized it, in response to our inquiry, including confirmation that all three suspects were booked into juvenile detention:
Police received reports of carjackings in the 2800 block of Alki Avenue Southwest, in the 3800 block of 59th Avenue Southwest, and in the 5700 block of Beach Drive Southwest around 10:00 p.m. yesterday. The victims were approached by the suspects to steal their vehicles. In all three incidents, the victims reported a firearm being involved.
SPD officers located the suspect vehicle and a pursuit ensued. Police deployed stop sticks which caused the suspect vehicle to come to a stop near the intersection of South Corgiat Drive and Ursula Place South. The suspects fled on foot and after a foot pursuit two of the three suspects were taken into custody. KCSO K9 responded to the scene and assisted with locating the third suspect. The suspect vehicle was an unreported stolen vehicle. The three male juvenile suspects were booked into the King County Child and Family Justice Center for robbery, eluding a police vehicle, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
Commenters below include at least two of the victims.
ADDED 12:57 PM: The three suspects have hearings in about half an hour. We’ll update.
The fireworks some set off after the Seahawks‘ Monday Night Football victory over Philadelphia (20-17) less than half an hour ago spawned some “possible gunfire” calls to 911. However, in one case, it was actual gunfire. Dispatch sent officers to a home in the Westwood area where a resident reported a bullet piercing a wall; police have reported back to dispatch that it was “confirmed bullet damage.”
Two more stolen vehicles to report – both from the same apartment parking lot in Seaview, one already recovered. The report and photo are from Ryan:
Stolen – 2018 Subaru Legacy (Black)
License Plate: BGY4983, WA
Police report # 23-361064Stolen between 5 pm (12/15/2023) & 3 pm (12/17/2023) from an apartment building parking lot in West Seattle
Also stolen from the same lot, same time frame: 2006 Chevy 3500 Van (White box/bubble truck) & Black Utility Trailer (which were recovered in South Park on 12/17/2023 using GPS tracking).
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN CLASSIC RED 4RUNNER: The photo and report are from Josh:
I’m hoping folks could keep a lookout for my red ‘86 4Runner that was found to be stolen this morning at 7 am. It was parked in the Seaview area, 4600 block between Raymond and Juneau. Last seen around 10 pm, believe it may’ve happened in early AM, perhaps around 4 am..
Lic # BAL5663
Has a celebrate diversity bumper sticker on back bumper; the bumper is also dented.
Back window has a Rogue Community College parking-pass sticker on it.
Driver’s-side back seat window has a Dutch Bros sticker in the form of fingers peace sign
Top of truck is sun-bleached to white.Police report was made; please call 911 if seen. Thank you so much.
CAR BREAK-IN OUTSIDE CHURCH: This report is from Liz:
I was parked in front of Fauntleroy Church and the main street (California) Sunday afternoon at 3:35-5:45 attending their Holiday Concert. I came out and got into my car and noticed the glove box open and stuff thrown about. And then I noticed the right rear passenger window had been shattered all over the back seat. Lucky I had nothing of value in the car. Now just the inconvenience of having it repaired.
One West Seattle Crime Watch reader report today, from Eric:
Went out to the car this afternoon to do some Christmas things around West Seattle, and discovered that the driver’s side of my old Subie had been vandalized. There was nothing in the car except a small dog bed, which was still in the car when I discovered the damage. Police report has been filed and there are plenty cameras around here, so maybe something will turn up. This probably happened in the early hours of this morning, Dec. 16th.
Eric says this happened “just south of Jefferson Square on 41st Ave SW, close to the Hudson Steps” and that a neighbor reported a similar incident recently.
Back on December 4th, we reported on the case against a West Seattle 16-year-old charged in five October crimes including two West Seattle carjackings and one robbery. Thursday was the date set for a review of whether he’d continue to be held in juvenile detention while awaiting trial, so we checked the online files, and found out another robbery charge was filed against him three days after our previous report. This one is for an armed robbery at a 7-11 in Kent in early November. We’ve also learned that another teenage suspect has been charged in related King County cases, though not – so far – in any West Seattle cases. First, the status of the West Seattle 16-year-old: He continues to be held in juvenile detention, with his status to be considered again next week – on Thursday, December 21st – when he is arraigned on the new charge filed against him. It’s one count of first-degree robbery with display of a deadly weapon. The charging documents say that, as in the other cases, the suspect was linked to this one through cell-phone records and security-camera images showing a distinctive sweatshirt.
They also reveal a little more information about his arrest near his home at 12th/Roxbury, saying he was carrying a backpack that held a loaded handgun, camo face mask, and black gloves, and that a search of his home subsequently yielded some of the apparel matching what security-camera images showed. As for the other suspect, we looked into his files too – he’s a 17-year-old Kent resident, charged with three counts of first-degree robbery and two counts of attempted first-degree robbery, all related to incidents in Kent and elsewhere in South King County. He was arrested at his home November 13th and has been in juvenile detention since then; his next hearing is in mid-January. No mention of other arrests, but we’ll keep watching court files.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN SILVERADO: The photo and report are from Sandra:
My Chevrolet Silverado 2005 truck was stolen from my street last night at 5:30 am.
It was parked beside my house. 1 block from tennis court off Fauntleroy close to 76 gas station at Lincoln Park.
As shown in the photo, C52778N is the plate. We’ll add the police report # when we get it.
MAILBOX BREAK-IN: Reported by Stefan, in the 4300 block of SW Trenton:
Just a heads-up that I went out this morning to find our locked mailbox pried open, along with some others down our street. Must have happened last night or early this morning. Some mail/packages were definitely stolen. Submitted details to the Postal Inspection Service. Case ID: 58311372
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