West Seattle, Washington
24 Sunday
(WSB photos)
5:54 AM: Thanks for the tip. Police have taped off part of 15th SW in South Delridge. They’re investigating a deadly shooting reported in the 9200 block, between Cambridge and Barton [vicinity map], just after 3 am. More information soon.
6:09 AM: Police say the victim, a 41-year-old man, was found “lying in the road.” SPD and SFD tried to revive him but couldn’t. No one’s in custody, and there’s no word of a suspect description. They’ve been canvassing the area to see if anyone caught anything on security video. If you have any information, the tip line is 206-233-5000.
(CSI unit’s van at investigation scene)
6:36 AM: Detectives are still at the scene. This comes exactly one month after the last deadly shooting in West Seattle, that of 20-year-old Ka’Don Brown, found dead in the southwest driveway of the Chief Sealth IHS campus on April 8th, a Saturday morning. No arrest reported in that case so far.
ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: The Medical Examiner’s Office identifies the victim as 41-year-old Chad Anderson and says he died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
From Karen:
My 1979 VW Bug Convertible was stolen from a secure garage in West Seattle early morning (1:45 am) today, Sunday 5/7. If seen, please contact the police and me. 206-718-8484.
Update: police report # 23-124056, plate 67907CV.
MONDAY UPDATE: It’s been found – in Woodinville.
Nic‘s report is both a request and a reminder:
Our car was broken into in the main parking lot at Lincoln Park today around 11:30 am. The only thing taken was a black Nike Seattle University Softball backpack. Fortunately nothing of value was in it, just coaches stuff. The backpack itself was a gift from my daughter so would love to get it back if it’s found tossed somewhere. Non-emergency report has been filed.
If you think you’ve found/seen Nic’s backpack, let us know and we’ll connect you.
Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
BUSINESS BURGLARY: Hotwire Coffee in The Junction has been burglarized again. The break-in happened on Tuesday and was reported to police on Wednesday, according to the narrative we obtained from SPD today. The police report says it happened around 4:42 am Tuesday, when “three suspects were caught on video surveillance breaking into (the) business. The suspects gained entry to the property by ramming and damaging a large metal gate on the north side of the property … The suspects damaged another gate within the property in order to access the front door of the business. Next, the suspects kicked in the front door of the business … Once inside, the suspects located a small safe underneath the counter/register.” The narrative says they then took the safe and “two containers of donuts.” Hotwire posted images on social media, noting that this was Hotwire’s third burglary in one year. If you have any information, the SPD case # is 23-119912.
HOME BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: From a reader in the Admiral area:
Between 3 and 4 am (Wednesday) while I was away, this person went to both front and back doors, smashed my front Ring doorbell camera, pried off my back-door camera, cut my front screen door and also removed the batteries from my mole repeller stakes in the back yard (maybe he thought they were surveilling him?) He did not gain entry but seemed to lurk for around 30 minutes. Please be on the lookout for this guy, I got some great pictures of him and will be filing a police report.
MAILBOX PROWLING: Sent by Kevin:
At about 2 am (Wednesday) morning a 4-door SUV was driving slowly down our street and (checking) out mailboxes; you can see them go up to ours but video ends right before they opened it. 34th and Morgan.
The report and photo are from Leanne:
My red ’97 Geo Tracker with a dark gray soft top was stolen sometime between 11 am Monday 5/1 and 9 am 5/2 from SW Dawson Street, maybe 20 feet parallel-parked from the side Rite Aid entrance off California Ave SW. It had a few things hanging from the rear view mirror (wizard cat, Totoro, and little mushroom air fresheners).
Please reach out with any information; this car was my baby and I worked so hard for it and I am heartbroken.”
License plate number: CDB0659
Incident report number: 23-118872
Call 911 if you see it.
ORIGINAL MONDAY NIGHT REPORT: Police have confirmed somebody shot at a house on Bonair this past half-hour. At least two callers reported hearing the shots in the 1900 block, and one thought they saw flashes, before a vehicle left the vicinity. Responding officers have told dispatch they found two casings and damage to the house’s door and garage. No indication that anyone was in the house when it was shot at. If you have any information, the incident # is 23-118464.
TUESDAY UPDATE: Police now say this was linked to a burglary attempt. They say a “light-colored pickup truck” first rammed “the closed garage door of a house under renovation.” Here’s an SPD photo of the garage door:
The two shots were fired into the air after neighbors “yelled that police had been called.” If you have any information, the tip line is 206-233-5000.
ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: That’s what the Delridge Food Mart (5235 Delridge Way SW) looks like after it became the latest West Seattle business hit by crash-and-grab burglars. Police say they got a call just before 4:30 this morning and that a “vehicle was seen driving into the entrance, allowing two of the passengers to gain access to the store.” The burglars were gone when officers arrived, but SPD says “the suspect vehicle was located abandoned a few hours later.” (It was described in initial radio exchanges as a red van.)
ADDED TUESDAY: We obtained the report narrative from SPD. It says store owners confirmed police’s initial assessment that “a large number of various items had been stolen.” The owners eventually estimated a large amount of cigarettes and vape pens were among the items taken, and that the burglars’ haul was worth at least $10,000 (not counting the cost to repair the damage). The getaway car was a red Hyundai that video showed had been “reversed into the front doors to break them” about four minutes before the 911 call came in and officers were dispatched. Up to four people may have been in the car, but the only descriptive information in the narrative is that one wore a blue and white jacket and held “a white trash bag.” (The narrative also notes that an officer spoke with a store owner “about the possibility of installing small pillars to block vehicles from ramming his front door again since his business had been the target of multiple burglaries.” The getaway car, a 2014 Elantra, was found abandoned in the 4700 block of Cottage Place SW just before 6:30 am. The report says it was registered to someone in Kent but had not been reported as stolen – though it had heavy ignition damage – so SPD was asking KPD to check with its owner, and meantime had the car impounded.
Two dumped-likely-stolen reader reports:
DOG DOOR: If you were expecting a package with a dog door – Susan may have found it. She writes, “(Friday) afternoon I found a dog door, still in its retail box. Brand new! It was lying on the sidewalk on SW Andover St. and California Ave SW. I’m guessing someone is missing it.”
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: Jennie spotted items including these dumped near Weather Watch Park on Beach Drive:
In either case, if these might be yours, contact us and we’ll connect you.
In West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:
EARLY MORNING THIEF: Kristina sent the security-camera image and report from a neighborhood east of Lincoln Park:
This person came onto our property at 4:06 am today and stole an OUTGOING package from our mailbox. They then used a flashlight to go through the back of our truck parked in our driveway. We have heard from several neighbors that their vehicles were broken into as well. We are on 46th Ave SW, between Austin and Kenyon Streets.
This was reported to police; the preliminary tracking number is T23008999.
PREVENTION ADVICE: Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner has sent a newsletter with advice on deterring two types of crime that are particularly prevalent in our area right now – auto theft and commercial burglaries. Read it here.
6:01 PM: SPD is looking for information on what it says were four early-morning West Seattle business burglaries in the past three days. All involved burglars cutting open the businesses’ safes. Around 6 am today, an alarm brought officers to Taco Time (SPD photo at right), where they “found a smashed window (and a) safe … (that) had been cut open, and staff confirmed money stored in the safe had been taken.” The other three burglaries are listed as all happening Sunday morning (April 23rd):
4:30 a.m. in the 4200 block of SW Morgan Street
5:00 a.m. in the 4700 block of Fauntleroy Way SW
6:00 a.m. in the 2600 block of SW Barton Street
SPD says that in all three cases, “the safes had been accessed with some sort of saw as well.” If you have any information, SPD’s tipline is 206-233-5000.
6:24 PM: SPD’s report didn’t include business names; we are going back through archived dispatch audio. First ID: The 4200 block of SW Morgan burglary was at Ezell’s Famous Chicken. (added) So far we haven’t heard any more specific information on the other two locations except that they were businesses at The Whittaker and Westwood Village.
12:29 PM: Thanks for the tips. We asked SPD why the Chief Sealth/Denny campus was sheltering in place. Det. Judinna Gulpan replied, “Police responded for an assault investigation in the 2700 block of SW Trenton ST. It appears the potential suspects fled onto the school grounds. Officers located the suspects and are with staff investigating the incident. No further information to share at this time.” We’ll add anything more we find out.
1:16 PM: Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Tim Robinson says the shelter-in-place lasted about 45 minutes and was lifted at 12:35 pm.
1:21 PM: Though police did not provide details of the assault, as commenters note, there was a report of someone getting their “finger cut off” at Westwood Village. Archived dispatch audio says the victim was reported to be a 15-year-old boy.
8:54 AM: Police confirm this morning that casings were found after a report of gunfire Tuesday evening in Admiral. They say officers responded after a call around 6:30 pm that people in two vehicles were shooting at each other near 39th SW and SW Lander. SPD spokesperson Det. Judinna Gulpan says they found witnesses who saw and heard the shooting and described one vehicle as a white sedan, the other as a white SUV. She says the casings were found “south of the intersection.” No injuries were reported and no property damage was found at the time. If you have any information, the incident number is 23-111868.
9:12 AM: Det. Gulpan adds, “One of the vehicles may be a white BMW with a black hood leaving the area southbound on 39 Avenue SW and the other vehicle a white Chevy Blazer leaving northbound on 39th Avenue SW.”
Two nights after the State Legislature adjourned, a few major bills are dominating post-session discussion. One of them is SB 5536, which was touted as a compromise for a new state law regarding drug possession. Legislators needed to pass one in order to avoid outright decriminalization as of July 1st, expiration date for a stopgap law enacted after the state Supreme Court threw out the previous state law. But in the waning hours of the legislative session, the “compromise” went down to defeat, with State House members voting 43 yes, 55 no. Though some Republicans had voted for earlier versions of the bill, none voted for the final version, and some Democrats voted against it too. We checked today to see how our area’s two State House Representatives voted – and discovered that the two, both Democrats from West Seattle, were split. Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, who is the House Majority Leader, voted yes. First-term Rep. Emily Alvarado voted no. We asked her why, via email. Her response:
I voted against SB 5536 because I don’t believe we need to criminalize drug possession to connect people to services. We need proven public health responses to substance use disorder.
The proposal that came to the House floor on Sunday escalated criminal penalties for drug possession and public use to a gross misdemeanor, meaning people could be sentenced to up to 364 days in jail. It gave prosecutors discretion in whether to refer a person to diversion and treatment. It made important investments in behavioral health care, which I support, but those investments were not sufficient.
I agree that a state framework is better than a patchwork of local laws, but SB 5536 was not the right framework. It enshrined harsh criminal penalties for drug possession and failed to make evidence-based treatment and services readily available for people who need it.
(Our area’s State Senator Joe Nguyen voted against the version of the bill that cleared the Senate 28-21 in early March.) So what happens now? Governor Inslee inferred he might call a special session, declaring that the House vote “was unacceptable,” adding, “Decriminalization is not an option for me and it is not an option for the state of Washington. I expect legislators to deliver a solution.” Otherwise, it’ll be up to local governments to make their own rules – or not.
2:31 PM: From Jonathan: “Stolen white Escalade this morning around 6 am, 25th Avenue SW, close to Delridge Community Center. (Similar photo but not the exact car) Actual vehicle has a broken windshield and slightly bent front bumper. 400JKS is the license plate. Contact me at 425 394 6204 if you see it.” We’ll add the SPD incident # when we have it. (ADDED WEDNESDAY: It’s 23-112032.)
ADDED 2:50 PM: We’ve just received a report of another stolen vehicle, from Yohann:
Our truck was stolen outside our house around 6-7 pm last evening. It’s a 2005 Ford F-250 single-cab white truck, with an off-color shell of gray/black. This is our work truck and we need it. Any leads appreciated. Stolen near 46th and SW Walker.
Also awaiting the incident # for this.
When 36-year-old Brett M. Gitchel appeared in King County Superior Court this morning for arraignment, he also answered to the newly filed charge of second-degree murder in the strangulation death of Leticia Martinez-Cosman. The amended charging documents do not include much new information, but did shine light on why investigators searched the area of Renton where they found her body:
… Brett’s historical cellphone data shows that Brett drove outside of the City of Seattle into remote mountainous regions in King County, including locations along I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass and SE Middle Fork Rd in North Bend, before returning to the Seattle area. Beginning on 04/06/2023, members of Law Enforcement, subsequently assisted by King County Search and Rescue personnel, began to physically search areas of interest for Leticia. Areas of interest were chosen and based upon the actions and locations of Brett Gitchel after Leticia went missing at the Mariners game, as indicated by Brett’s historical cellphone data. One of these areas of search interest was the street of “S 192nd St”, between Talbot Rd S (on the east) and WA-SR-167 (on the west) in the City of Renton. This street was selected because historical cellphone data indicated that Brett was near the far west end of S 192nd St for about 20 minutes on 04/01/2023 at approximately 2230 hours, or about 3 1⁄2 hours before Brett made contact with (Leticia’s son) Patrick.
This location was also of interest because of its lightly populated area, its heavily wooded terrain, its proximity to the location where Brett strangled Patrick hours later, and because records reported that Brett had previously lived in an apartment on this same street.
On 04/11/2023, at about 1204 hours, approximately 10 1⁄2 days after she was last seen alive, the deceased body of
Leticia Martinez-Cosman was discovered during a planned law enforcement search near the far west end of S 192nd
St, on the north side of the road.
The narrative adds:
… The circumstances necessary to have caused Leticia’s death by strangulation is a manifestation of Brett’s extreme indifference to her life and was the ultimate cause of her death. Brett used premeditated intentional lies and deception to lure Patrick into a situation in a vehicle where Patrick would be susceptible to Brett’s strangulation. The facts and evidence of this case supports the conclusion that Brett also used premeditated and intentional lies and deception to lure Leticia into a situation in her vehicle where she would be susceptible to Brett’s persistent strangulation, ultimately resulting in her death.
… Brett Michael Gitchel exhibited injuries consistent with the assault of Patrick Cosman and denied going to the Mariners’ game with Leticia and claimed to not recognize her, until he was shown a photograph of them together that he could not deny. Brett’s statement that Leticia met someone at the end of the game and left with them is also not true based upon the T-Mobile Park video of them leaving together. Brett repeatedly lied to law enforcement in his interview until the point where he could not deny the truth any longer and chose to instead end the interview. Brett is depicted alone in multiple videos with Leticia’s vehicle and at her home after her disappearance. Brett’s historical cellphone data provides evidence to support his involvement in the criminal activity listed above.
A text message string between the phones of Brett Gitchel and Leticia Martinez-Cosman was recovered during the search warrant of Brett’s phone. The exchanged messages confirm that Brett did not know nor have any relationship with Leticia prior to her meeting him at Costco on 03/19/2023 and going to the Mariners game on 03/31/2023. Leticia arranged to meet Brett near the home plate entrance of T-Mobile Park before the game. There is no history or evidence to support that Brett had ever been inside Leticia’s car, or had ever been invited to her home, before their meeting at the Mariners game on 03/31/2023.
The narrative concludes that investigators still have not found any evidence of the victim being alive after leaving the Mariners’ game that night with Gitchel around 10:30 pm. He is now charged with second-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree unlawful gun possession, second-degree arson, and first-degree theft, as well as with second-degree burglary in the March 28th West Seattle case. He remains in the King County Jail, bail set at $5,050,000, and his next court date is set for May 15th.
Three reader reports this morning:
STOLEN RED CR-V: From Kerry – “Unfortunately my 1999 red Honda CR-V was stolen again last night between 11:30 pm and 7:50 this morning. The police report incident number: 23-110240. Plate number AOZ7418.” If you see it, you also can text 206-245-8720.” TUESDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Found.
STOLEN PINK BAG WITH SKATING GEAR: From Lily in Morgan Junction:
This morning I found my car (which was parked by my fence) with the passenger window broken and it had clearly been rummaged through.
The only notable thing stolen was a pale pink duffel bag with a pink skating helmet strapped to the outside containing roller derby gear (skates, pads, mouth guard). No idea when it happened, but a neighbor said they’d seen a suspicious truck driving past a few times overnight.
(added 9:54 am) CLOTHING TAKEN: Just received from Madyline in Highland Park:
We have a family member staying with us and her car was robbed last night. She lost a bag of baby clothes and toys, 2 coats (Eddie Bauer- pink, brown & teal color blocked/ old navy black & white) and Steve Madden white platform tennis shoes. If anyone sees any of those things dumped, we would love to get them back to her!
Lots of questions about a big police response at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) this past hour. It was reported as a shoplifter turning violent, which turns the incident into a robbery. We just went to the store to find out more. They said no one was seriously hurt. Police took a 17-year-old boy into custody.
Yet another West Seattle auto theft to report. From Sukie via email:
Our green Honda CR-V (2000 model, license plate AHH9110) was stolen sometime between last night and this morning from in front of our house on SW Austin Street near 35th Ave. If anyone sees it, here is the police incident number: 23-109448.
Call 911 and refer to that case number if you see it.
FRIDAY UPDATE: Sukie says the car was found in White Center, in relatively good shape.
The photo and report are from Tom in Fauntleroy:
My 1998 Toyota 4Runner, silver in color, was stolen overnight, from 8 pm-8:50 am this morning. License number 681 MCR. Stickers in front windshield of yacht club. Near 45th and Director.
Call 911 if you see it. SPD incident # is 23-109374.
ORIGINAL SUNDAY REPORT: Police are in south Highland Park investigating a reported home-invasion robbery. The victim called 911 to say someone broke into her home near 14th/Henderson and robbed her, getting away with, among other things, her vehicle. It’s described as a 2008 silver Chevy Silverado. The robber was described only as male, 5-10, thin to medium build, in a black mask, not anyone the victim knew. That’s all we’ve heard so far. (added) If you have any information, the incident number for this is 23-109133.
ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: Police finally released this: “On 4-24-2023 at 0103 hours, police responded to the 1400 block of SW Henderson on a home invasion robbery. The victim was asleep when she was awoken by the suspect who assaulted her, then stole her purse, keys, and vehicle. The suspect fled in the victim’s vehicle prior to police arrival and was not located.” The SFD log shows an engine was dispatched on a low-level response, so it appears the injuries were not major.
Two reader reports:
NEW HOT SPOT FOR ABANDONING STOLEN CARS? From Charlie:
Noticed this car on the corner of Myrtle and 47th AVE SW across from The Kenney property again. It is a Ford Fusion, light brown in color. The rear bumper is completely missing though the license plate is visible, WA CBX5707. The front bumper is also damaged along with the windshield and the driver side window is broken out. It has been sitting on this corner for nearly a day now according to the neighbor and efforts to contact the police have been fruitless. This is the second such vehicle to be dumped in the area and it seems like this is becoming a great place to drop stolen cars as the area is very quiet and it is unlikely to be observed after dark.
The previously dumped car was a white Hyundai Sonata left there last week, and Charlie reported making contact with both SPD and its owner, who retrieved their vehicle.
POSSIBLE PROWLING BYCATCH: Todd spotted this along Bonair in Upper Alki – mostly trash but a few things that might be bycatch from a car prowl, such as the Hyundai Tucson collateral and baseball notepad:
If any of this is yours, email us and we’ll connect you.
Charlie
(WSB photo, December 24, 2022)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
It wasn’t the first time a West Seattle Junction business had been hit by crime, but the crash-and-grab attempt at Menashe and Sons Jewelers on Christmas Eve was the most jolting, in multiple ways.
That shop and others have taken individual steps toward fortification in the meantime, and the West Seattle Junction Association has been increasingly focused on security strategies in addition to what’s already in its portfolio – from parking to planters, festivals to flags. Now it’s planning a major move: Hiring private security patrols.
WSJA executive director Chris Mackay tells WSB, “We signed a contract with Praetorian to have 6 patrols a night on both foot and car to cover the entire Junction 7 nights a week from 9 pm to 5 am. We may increase these hours in response to incidents.” The patrol personnel will start as soon as next week and will not carry guns.
That’s not all Mackay says WSJA is doing: “We are addressing better lighting, creating a phone tree for businesses, creating a cheat sheet for merchant of ‘who to call,’ and directing businesses toward help with locks and gates. Everything is under way now.” Regarding lighting, “All city lights which were out have been called in through Find It Fix It.” Mackay also spoke with the Parks Department, which committed to increased lighting in Junction Plaza Park at 42nd/Alaska.
She adds, “I am also taking to SPD to get more presence from Community Service Officers.” CSOs are uniformed civilian SPD personnel who currently work citywide as community liaisons and problem-solvers.
DATA: SPD crime stats are not broken out between businesses and individuals, but looking at the West Seattle Junction stats on the SPD dashboard so far this year, through the end of March, 11 robberies, 12 aggravated assaults, 43 burglaries, and 107 larceny/theft incidents were reported. Compared to the totals for all of last year, robberies are slightly up, burglaries are about the same, and both aggravated assaults and larceny/theft reports are down. Last year in turn was up from 2021 totals, especially in aggravated assaults, which went up more than 60 percent from 2021 to 2022, and larceny/thefts, which increased 25 percent between the two years.
Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
SUITCASE GRABBER: If you see a dumped suitcase, it might be Kandie‘s:
My suitcase was stolen around 5:15 today right in front of my house at 34th and Myrtle while I was unloading my car. A maroon sedan w/dark tinted windows pulled up guy jumped out grabbed suitcase and they sped away. It contained 90 percent of my personal belongings, shoes, jewelry, clothes etc. – I couldn’t get a license plate in time. Picture is of the smaller suitcase for reference.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
The report has preliminary tracking number T2300848.
PACKAGE THIEF The report and photos are from Alan:
This person took 3 packages from our porch. About 11:00 am, which was 30 minutes after FedEx delivered one.
Dressed all in black, hat and face covering. Driver waited in the white car. Pigeon Point on 23rd Ave.
No report # yeet for that one or this one:
VANDALISM: A Highland Park resident reports her house was egged and wonders if it’s happened to anyone else recently. She wasn’t home when it happened so doesn’t have an exact time.
REMINDER: Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner has about 100 more steering-wheel locks to give away to Hyundai/Kia drivers at risk of theft, 2-4 pm Thursday at the precinct (Delridge/Webster). She says it only took about an hour and a half Saturday to give away that amount, and 50 people were in line when the giveaway started.
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