West Seattle, Washington
24 Thursday
A guilty plea and sentencing have closed the case on West Seattle’s first 2020 murder, the killing of 41-year-old Jana Layman in her Junction-area home. Her then-roommate Solomon Whitt, now 26, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as well as to child-rape and child-pornography charges that resulted from discoveries made during the investigation. Last Friday, according to court documents, King County Superior Court Judge Douglass North sentenced Whitt to 31 years and two months – top of the standard sentencing range – for the murder, and concurrent sentences from six to 23 years for the other charges. As reported here after he was charged in January 2020, Whitt said he attacked the victim after she asked him to move out, and tried to make her death look like an accident.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
CAR AD LEADS TO CAR CHASE, GUNFIRE: The preliminary summary from police says this happened just after 8 pm tonight: “The victims responded to an OfferUp ad to purchase a vehicle. They agreed to meet up in the area of 12th Ave SW / SW Webster St and waited in a park parking lot.” They were using the app to communicate with the seller when a vehicle pulled up. Three people got out and approached the victims, pointing handguns at them “while demanding cash and other items of value.” One robber fired two shots into the air before all three got back in their vehicle and left, the victims said. They followed the car northward, fast, and the reprt adds: “During the vehicle chase, a suspect fired additional shots from the moving vehicle,” which almost hit a third vehicle while continuing to speed away. The victims lost sight of it and pulled over to call 911; by that point, the report notes, “Officers had responded to the initial scene to investigate multiple 911 reports of vehicles speeding and shots being fired.” The robbers, however, were not found.
ANOTHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER TAKEN: The latest report is from Nicole:
Car was parked in the Louisa Boren school parking lot due to construction on Delridge Way. Happened sometime between Thursday late night- Sunday early morning. They sawed the converter right off the car. Police report was filed.
If you’re keeping track of what vehicle makes/models get hit – this one was a Lexus XS
Three crime/police notes:
SEARCH: If you saw/heard a police search after 9 pm last night in the Delridge/Trenton vicinity, police say they were looking for someone suspected of a threat involving a gun. The preliminary summary says, “Officers were waved down … The victim reported that a male suspect crossing the street pointed a handgun at them, causing them to fear for their lives.” A search ensued but no one was found.
BURGLARY: Julia in North Shorewood sent the video and report:
A woman was able to enter our home around 3:30 am, and got halfway through our house before we were alerted. She was eerily calm and my husband was able to get her outside while I locked myself in the baby’s room and called 911. KSCO responded and had a number of officers out looking for her and the “others outside” that she mentioned.
She had checked our car and looked through things in our backyard before coming in. We’re not sure what her intention or mental state may have been. We did capture rather clear footage on our security camera … in case any other neighbors have experienced something from the same person, or she can be identified? We’ll be beefing up our security system with outside alerts, but are also hoping to warn other neighbors.
If you do have any tips, we’ll add the KCSO incident number when we get it.
POLICE AT DON ARMENI: Thanks to Doug for the photo from a few hours ago showing motorcycle officers gathered at Don Armeni Boat Ramp:
We checked with SPD: “Previously scheduled training” was the reply.
Three Crime Watch reports tonight:
MAN HURT TRYING TO STOP TOOL THIEF: According to a preliminary police summary, this happened mid-morning in the 7900 block of 34th SW. The victim was working on a house when a red Chevy Silverado pulled up. A man got out and, police say, “grabbed a Rotary hammer tool kit from the back of the victim’s truck, and placed it on the back of the Chevy. The victim jumped on the pickup bed, and the Chevy sped up. The victim was pleading for the (thief) to stop, but he increased speed and started swerving.” The truck slowed at 30th/Trenton St to turn, the report says, and “the victim grabbed his tool kit, and jumped from the truck.” He suffered non-life-threatening head and leg injuries and was taken to the hospital. Police searched for the thief but didn’t find him. The incident number is 21-145568.
CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THEFTS THWARTED: This happened in South Park but we have the preliminary summary since that’s also the Southwest Precinct, and the crime category is of wide interest. Police arrested two people after 5 am today who are accused of trying to break into a fenced property in the 8700 block of 7th Avenue South to steal catalytic converters off tour buses. The report says “in their possession were two electric saws with their initials on them (and) bolt cutters.” The buses’ owner had been hit a week ago by someone breaking into the yard and stealing five catalytic converters.
CAR WINDOW SHATTERED: Reader report from Michelle near Fauntleroy/California:
Sometime (Thursday) night, my car was shot with either a pellet or BB gun and shattered my window. The car in front of mine was affected as well. Reported this to the police at 7 am (Friday) morning. Thankfully no one was hurt and nothing stolen.
We’ve talked to police about a threat widely posted on social media by someone who called us about it too. After numerous readers asked us about it via email and text, we wanted to let you know what we’ve found out so far. The caller said he works at The Alley, the bar behind Be’s Restaurant in The Junction, and that another employee had had a dispute with the owner and made death threats. We went to Be’s but it’s closed, and The Alley would not normally open until later in the day. We also talked by phone with the Southwest Precinct watch sergeant, who said officers had spoken with the person who reported the threats, but had not heard directly from the business owner, nor had they found the person who is reported to have made the threats. So it’s an open case but there is no warning or safety advisory at this point. If you have any information for police, the incident number is 21-145363.
(Texted photo)
4:11 PM: We’re covering this on partner site White Center Now but wanted to let you know here because deputies are blocking 16th SW in the heart of downtown White Center and may extend the closure to Roxbury: At least one person has been shot on 16th SW just south of SW 98th. No arrest reported so far. Updates to come.
4:39 PM: We’re continuing to update the WCN report; the investigation is likely to keep the center of downtown WC blocked for hours to come.
Multiple shell casings have been found and other apparent victims have shown up at Harborview Medical Center.
5:27 PM: Our crew is still at the scene and we expect a briefing soon by KCSO’s spokesperson; we’ll add the update on both sites when that happens. Also, if you’re noticing a helicopter in the area, that’s TV.
5:50 PM: KCSO’s Sgt. Tim Meyer confirms that, as we reported on WCN, four people were shot – and he says two have died. He would not confirm anything else, though, not even whether anyone was in custody. (Added – our video of his briefing:)
Toplines from the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s board meeting online this past Tuesday:
CAR PROWL PREVENTION: Half the respondents in the recent FCA neighborhood-wide survey said they had been hit by car prowlers. So FCA’s been working on an initiative aimed at reducing this. They discovered it’s a nationwide problem and there’s no magic solution, but in collaboration with precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner, they’re printing signs that can be left in the car to warn thieves it’s not worth their trouble – “there’s nothing to steal.” FCA will distribute these to the community. No date yet for when these signs will be available. FCA webmaster Bill Wellington suggested making the sign available for home printing via fauntleroy.net.
POLICE UPDATE: Sgt. David Terry of the Southwest Precinct said thefts remain the highest crime category in Fauntleroy, which otherwise is what he calls “the safest area” in the precinct’s jurisdiction: Ten thefts in all for the month of April. Traffic violations are the biggest problem, one attendee said, pointing to a crash the previous night at 45th/Wildwood as the latest example:
(WSB photos)
11:28 AM: Police are at 29th SW and SW Henderson [map], investigating a report of multiple shots fired from a passing car. No injuries are reported but police have found at least one shell casing and are blocking the street in the area while they investigate. A preliminary description of the vehicle: Black BMW.
11:41 AM: Photos added. Police at the scene tell us they have now found four casings (that’s one of them in the photo above this line). This happened midblock, in the 8800 block of 29th. Still no additional descriptive information confirmed.
12:09 PM: At least one car was hit by a bullet (above).
3:05 PM: More information from the preliminary police summary: “Witnesses reported that a black or gray BMW was (northbound) in the 8800 block of 29 AV. SW chasing another vehicle, possibly a Volvo. A suspect was seen shooting a handgun from the passenger window at the vehicle it was chasing.” Police recovered “six small-caliber shell casings” in all.
11:27 AM: From Lori McConnell at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) in Admiral:
We wanted to let you know that we were broken into. We discovered it coming in to open the shop this morning. They didn’t trip our alarm – the broke a panel to the side of our door and crawled in that way.
They used a reader board from the Luna Apts to smash the window in. They got more merchandise than we are happy with. But nobody was here or hurt and we are focusing on that. Thought it might be good to get word out for other businesses. We are going to look at ways to beef up security in fear that things are getting worse in the hood.
This isn’t the first time West Seattle Runner has been hit by burglar(s) – our archives show at least two other break-ins, in 2019 and (at their original location south of Admiral) in 2013.
1:50 PM: WSR’s Tim McConnell just emailed with this update: “SPD just called to say they found a lot of our items in a tent camp in Lake City. They are collecting and cataloging it and will return it to us shortly. That’s all I know right now, I’m just happy to get some stuff back. We would like to say we appreciate their hard work in helping us limit our losses.”
Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
HOUSE SHOT AT: Police investigated a reported drive-by shooting in the 5600 block of 23rd SW. A resident said someone shot at the house and then drove away. No one hit/hurt.
GGUNS SEIZED: Police included these photos with a report of officers seizing the two guns when arresting a man:
This happened around quarter past 5 this evening near Delridge and Findlay. The preliminary police summary says four people were arguing “over a past assault.” A woman, “in an effort to defend her son, began bragging about owning a firearm.” A man said he owned one too. She expressed doubt. He went to his car and brought out one of the guns, “causing the victim to feel intimidated.” She called 911. They searched his vehicle and “recovered two semi-automatic handguns and their respective magazines loaded with ammunition.” The 31-year-old suspect was booked into King County Jail for investigation of unlawful use of a weapon.
HIT-RUN: From Rose:
My car was parked outside Luna apartments, 2745 California Ave near PCC, around 2:30 pm today and someone smashed the hood of my car – there was blue and white paint on the hood. I was wondering … if anyone saw anything.
Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
TWICE-STOLEN TRUCK: From Andrea:
Last night my truck was stolen for the 2nd time in 2 months from in front of my house on 45th SW. It was locked and had a club in it. License number B30800H. Red F250 HD with a matching canopy and a black construction rack. Attached is a picture. (When stolen) ot did not have the Kayaks or the bike rack on it.
Call 911 if you see it. (WEDNESDAY NIGHT UPDATE: A commenter spotted it and called it in; we have confirmation from Andrea that they got it back.)
ASSAULT ARREST: A reader asked about the sizable police response to an encampment area near 1st Avenue S./S. Cloverdale near the southeast edge of West Seattle. The preliminary SPD summary says a woman was arrested for assaulting a man who lived there. She was there to visit another man, described in the report as her boyfriend, but instead barged into the structure where the victim was sleeping. Police say she woke him up, hit him, and demanded he leave, then tried to stab him; he suffered a finger injury while fending off the attack. Police responded and told her to come out and surrender; she did, and was booked into King County Jail.
The report and photos are rom Amy:
Our car was the unfortunate target in the high-car-prowl area at Westcrest Park today. We were parked in the playground lot between 1:15-2:15 pm.
The thieves broke out two windows (passenger side and left rear), ripped out the rear privacy screen, and took a cell phone. Everything else was left intact. We were able to track the time of the break-in as well as their route due to the GPS locator on the phone, and tracked the phone to the last known location, just a few blocks away at SW Barton between 16th and 17th Aves SW though were not able to recover it.
Reporting to help others be aware… it was a cool and rainy afternoon, lot was not busy at all, but no observed obvious car sitters when we pulled in.
A police report has been filed.
10:54 AM: The photo and report are from Alexis:
My husband’s van was stolen from in front of our house sometime between 8:00 pm last night and 8:00 am this morning. It was locked and parked in the street. We live in the Genesee Hill neighborhood (in the 4000 block of) 51st Ave SW. It is a white 2003 Ford Econovan 250. It has my husband’s logo on both sides and the back of the van – “Toma Construction LLC.” It contained many tools.
We have notified the police. This happened to us about 6 years ago in a different neighborhood, and neighbors found it dumped and emptied out nearby. If anyone has seen it, please contact us at alexislewinger@gmail.com, at 602-326-7262, or at 206-697-5087.
But first call 911.
2:43 PM: Alexis says they recovered the van – someone spotted it at 40th/Edmunds and called police.
2:45 AM: A sizable Seattle Fire and Police response is headed to the 2200 block of SW Barton for what’s reported as a person “assaulted with a weapon.” Updates to come.
2:49 AM: Officers at the scene – a building lobby – have told dispatch that the victim says he was stabbed at a nearby bus stop. He is reported to be wounded in an arm and leg.
2:54 AM: The victim will be taken to the hospital by SFD medics. No word so far of any arrest(s).
A few people asked us about a mid-afternoon incident that brought a big police response to the EG Hughes Playground area (28th/Holden and vicinity). One neighbor who saw the end of it said police were chasing a man through the playfield area and then across two yards until he was tackled and arrested near 29th/Kenyon. Medics were called for the suspect, who, the witness says, complained after being cuffed that he was having trouble breathing. We didn’t catch word of this until it was long over; we eventually made contact with Southwest Precinct Lt. Dorothy Kim, who said the man was arrested for domestic-violence assault: “When the officers attempted contact with the suspect, he took off running, which resulted in a foot pursuit.” She says he was booked into the King County Jail.
4:05 AM: Midsize fire response this past hour to Fauntleroy/Henderson, near the ferry terminal. We just caught up with the crews still on scene and they told us it was a carport fire, handled fairly quickly, no injuries.
11:08 AM: Though no investigator had been dispatched at the time of the fire, we noticed on the log that one was sent a few hours later. SFD says their investigation determined the fire was “intentionally set,” with damage totaling about $1,000.
ORIGINAL THURSDAY NIGHT REPORT: Police arrested a suspected shoplifter tonight after a four-figure theft from Ulta Beauty in Westwood Village. Their preliminary summary says officers responded to a report of “multiple fragrances” stolen from the store. They found the suspect on foot nearby and recovered $3,094 worth of stolen items. The suspect was booked into jail; the items were returned to the store.
ADDED NOON FRIDAY: More details from the full-length police report – the suspect is a 31-year-old man. Police found him after checking the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail in the Roxhill Park area south of Westwood Village; the report says the trail “is commonly used by shoplift suspects as it allows significant cover and provides multiple access/exit points.” They found him with a backpack that looked “overstuffed”; a witness had told them he was in the store wearing a backpack and “carrying a large laundry bin” into which 34 bottles of fragrance products had been placed. The witness said he was then seen in the parking lot near trash bins, removing tags from the stolen products, and transferring them from the laundry bin. Police found the 34 bottles in the backpack. According to online records, the suspect has a lengthy criminal history going back more than a decade and is currently awaiting trial on charges from two building burglaries downtown early this year. The documents from that case say his record includes at least 55 failure-to-appear warrants from past cases.
That’s the jack left behind by two would-be thieves who tried to steal the catalytic converter from Andrew‘s pickup truck at 45th SW and SW Stevens at 4:45 am today. Andrew says he chased them off; he did not get a good look at the second person but “the one doing the cutting” was a man in his late 20s to early 30s, white, wearing a red hoodie” and, Andrew says, tried to hit him with his Sawzall before fleeing. He is specifically wondering if anyone might have gotten security video of the two and/or their car, which “was parked a block south on 45th Street and appeared to be a black or dark colored F-150. The police asked that if anyone had any footage of the thieves walking back to their car to add it to the police report. He would be holding a Milwaukee red Sawzall and walking southbound on 45th Street around 4:50 AM.” The SPD incident number is 21-136648.
That’s some of the damage done to a car parked in (corrected) Belvidere this morning by the driver of a hit-run truck. The car’s owner says a neighbor saw it happen on 39th SW just after 10 this morning; the vehicle was described as a “big box truck” labeled Morro Bay Cabinets. That’s a California firm that subsequently told the damaged car’s owner they no longer own the truck. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 2021-135807.
From Mike:
Our Mazda 2016 CX-5 (metallic blue with silver roof rails) was stolen out of our backyard during the night on 5/28. The location is 30th and Trenton.
License #: BEN 8375
Police Report #: 21-132069
If you see it, call 911.
UPDATE: Found.
In West Seattle Crime Watch – two parking lots hit by multiple car prowls:
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: This is from a case bulletin circulated by Southwest Precinct police:
On 5/20/2021, the above-pictured suspects broke out the passenger window of the victim’s parked vehicle at West Seattle HS (3000 California Ave SW). The suspects took the victim’s wallet, which contained the victim’s driver’s license, cards, and a check for $20k. The suspects were caught on cell phone camera prowling multiple vehicles in the parking lot. Upon realizing that they were being filmed, they fled the parking lot in suspect vehicles 1 and 2. There appeared to be a third suspect in the driver’s seat of suspect vehicle 2.
If you are aware of any other incidents involving these suspects or vehicles, or are able to identify either suspect, please email lauren.laumbattus@seattle.gov
The second vehicle, not shown, was a black 2008 Pontiac G8, plate starting with BLU.
WESTHAVEN APARTMENTS: The photo is from PP:
That’s one of three cars they reported Friday were hit by car prowlers in the complex (2201 SW Holden).
Three items in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight – first, two cars to watch for:
30TH SW: From Austin:
Please keep an eye out.
My mom’s green 4-door Honda Accord was stolen from 8800 block of 30th AVE SW Wednesday afternoon between 3-6 pm.
Forest green Honda Accord LX 1997 LIC# 705-HYN
Any information or if you see it, call 911.
SPD incident # is 2021-129716.
45TH/ADMIRAL: From Halina:
We need help locating our 2017 White Volkswagen Alltrack (Station Wagon) plate #BGC6085 (has a Seattle University Alumni plate holder).
We parked across the street from our house (on 45th Ave SW) last night at 5:20 pm between Admiral Way and Lander Street. Around 4 pm this afternoon we noticed our car was missing… There is construction on our street but we were parked well outside of the no parking zone. We called over 10 towing companies and the impound contact numbers listed on the street signs but it has not been impounded. We also connected with the site contacts for the two construction sites on 45th ave – both indicated they did not have any vehicles towed.
We really appreciate any information you may have to share, and your help keeping an eye out for our car – thank you!!
Email: halinamoran@gmail.com
SPD incident # is 2021-130545.
SWAT STANDOFF FOLLOWUP: Charges are now filed against the man arrested early Monday after an hours-long standoff at a house across from Lincoln Park. 39-year-old Kevin H. Harris is charged with four felonies – unlawful imprisonment, 4th-degree assault, harassment, and 3rd-degree malicious mischief, all with the extra label “domestic violence.” The charging documents alleging that Harris threatened his father and kept him from leaving the house and calling for help includes a note that prosecutors thought the initial $7,500 bail was too low:
Bail Request: The State regrets the decision of the Honorable District Court Judge Lisa Paglisotti on the Investigation Calendar to set bail in the amount of $7,500. The State had requested $25,000 based on the vulnerability of the defendant’s elderly and understandably frightened parents. His father is particularly vulnerable due to physical disability. After the offenses in this case, the defendant refused to come out for police for 6 hours. Under these circumstances, the current bail appears disproportionately low compared to the substantial likelihood that the defendant will commit a future act of violence against his parents, and that he will interfere with the administration of justice.
The jail register shows Harris is still there, and that his bail remains set at $7,500.
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