West Seattle, Washington
25 Friday
A couple nights ago, Kay told us about Brooke, working to restore a vandalized bus-shelter mural at 35th/Thistle. Today, Brooke sends an update:
Just wanted to share the (almost) final result. I need to let this dry and then touch up where it was gouged.
Pretty pleased with the progress and hopefully it inspires others in the community and if nothing else is a bit of good news. I had no idea how much this mural meant to folks.
(WSB photo, June 19th)
12:56 PM: Two months after the discovery of two murder victims in a suitcase at Duwamish Head, police have just announced an arrest:
A 62-year-old man is in custody for the murder of two people after their remains were located in West Seattle in June. On Wednesday afternoon, detectives arrested the suspect at a residence in Burien. He was interviewed and then booked into the King County Jail.
The victims were 35-year-old Jessica Lewis and 27-year-old Austin Wenner, both from south King County, both shot to death. More info to come …
1:22 PM: The suspect remains in jail. He has not yet been charged so we are not publishing his name. We haven’t found a felony record for him yet in state files, but case documents from a 2016 misdemeanor domestic-violence-assault arrest in Burien describe him as “a convicted felon.” He’s due for a probable-cause/bail hearing this afternoon and we should have more information after that.
5:10 PM: Still awaiting more details, but the jail register shows the suspect’s bail is now set at $5 million.
7:23 PM: The probable-cause document from the bail hearing says the suspect had rented a room at his south Burien home to the victims but had been fighting with them and wanted them to leave. Neighbors told police that on June 9th, they heard gunfire coming from the house, and heard a male voice yelling “Please don’t do this, just let me leave.” Burien Police went to the house but no one answered the door. When Seattle Police served a warrant there yesterday, the document says, they found bullet holes, bullet strikes, spent rounds, and blood in one of the rooms. The rounds were 9mm, same as a gun they found in the suspect’s car at the time of his arrest. He told detectives the victims had been staying with him and acknowledged they had been fighting with him and had been unable to pay the $1,500/month rent he was charging, but he did not have an explanation for the evidence of gunfire in the room. One more note: The probable-cause document says, without details, that the suspect has a record for drugs and DUI.
Four reader reports:
MORE GATEWOOD GUNFIRE: Late last night, we heard a dispatch for possible gunfire in the 7100 block of California SW. Did not hear any report of what if anything officers found at the time, but we just received this via text:
Shots fired again in Gatewood last night, same alley as the car shooting 3 weeks ago. This time shots were fired directly into our neighbors’ house, through the kitchen and bedroom windows. Police have been notified. Fortunately no one hurt.
BUSINESS BURGLARY: The report and photo are from Mark:
Just popped in the Rite Aid on California Ave south of the Junction, saw a shattered window to right of door. Asked the employee on duty, says around 5 am someone broke in and stole cartons of cigarettes and about 30 or so airplane bottles of liquor. They were caught on camera, though.
RACK THEFT ATTEMPT: From M:
Someone tried to steal the kayak rack off my SUV (Friday) night, while it was parked in my driveway in Seaview. Both the rack and the crossbars have locks, but they still managed to break off the end cap and try to slide it off the crossbar. My car was broken into a few months ago in the same location, though there was nothing in it to take. There’s a very bright motion light in the driveway, but doesn’t seem to bother them. They must’ve spent a good deal of time trying to get the rack off.
FROM THE ‘DUMPED/LIKELY STOLEN’ FILE: Recognize these camping chairs?
Texter just spotted them at the California/Fontanelle bus stop.
REMINDER – CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY: Hear from and talk with Southwest Precinct police at 7 pm Tuesday (August 18) during the first West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting in six months. Online, of course – connection info is in our preview.
The photos are from a texter whose Jeep was prowled on the northeast end of Fauntleroy, along the west end of the West Seattle Bridge.
“They took the tools to take apart a Jeep. Also the tool to take the spare tire off the rear. Everything else is replaceable. They took the whole glove compartment too.” If you find anything like that, let us know and we’ll connect you.
4:21 PM: From SPD Blotter:
Officers arrested a 46-year-old man in West Seattle this morning after he called police about his missing wallet, which he had left behind during an earlier burglary.
On Friday, August 14th, just after 3:00 AM, officers were called to the 6600 block of SW Admiral Way to investigate a burglary. The complainant told officers that an unknown male had entered her apartment and that she had awoken to find a man standing next to her bed.
The woman and her boyfriend told the suspect to leave, which he did. The couple then called 911.
The couple provided police with a description of the man, including the fact that he might have had a dog with him. Officers searched the area but did not locate the suspect. However, a backpack the suspect had left behind was found at the scene.Officers examined the contents of the backpack and located identification of the possible suspect. The physical description on the ID matched the description of the suspect provided by the victims.
At approximately 8:30 AM, the 46-year-old male suspect called 911 to report that an unknown person had stolen his wallet within the past 10 minutes. The man identified himself by the same name that was on the identification left at the burglary scene. When police contacted the man, he declined to file a report, but officers noticed he was wearing similar clothing as described by the victims, and he was in possession of a dog.
The original burglary victims were brought to the scene where they positively identified the suspect.
The suspect was arrested and later booked into the King County Jail.
Animal Control officers responded to take custody of the suspect’s dog, and may be opening an investigation into possible criminal animal abuse, as there was evidence of recent injuries to the dog.
Detectives will handle the follow up investigation.
5:40 PM: The suspect remains in jail tonight. He does not have any felonies on record in this state, nor any recent arrests.
Thanks for all the tips. We’ve had multiple recent reports of paint vandalism – from tags to specific messages – so it’s time for not only a report but also to revisit what you can do. (Note: We have photos of everything mentioned but WSB policy is to not show graffiti, with few exceptions, such as an investigation when more evidence of a specific vandal’s work were being sought.)
FAUNTLEROY: On the sidewalks around the Endolyne business district’s main intersection – 45th/Wildwood – over the past two nights, someone has stenciled COPS LIVES MATTER in more than 15 spots. In that same area, a resident’s new handmade A-board sign reading BIDEN 2020 had the Democratic candidate’s name painted over and replaced with Trump in blue paint. That sign’s owner says similar vandalism was done to a sign he made for his sister in Seaview.
ALKI: Several spots along the promenade were hit last Thursday night with scrawled messages, mostly in support of “defunding” police. The vandalized spots included the concrete walls atop and alongside stairways, and the brick restroom building near 63rd/Alki.
BEACH DRIVE: A resident who often walks along the north end of Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook – north of the area that’s closed for the seawall project – sent a photo this morning of new tags and other paint vandalism on the concrete wall by the water. Far from the first time, but clearly the work of multiple vandals.
DELRIDGE: Recent paint vandalism at Delridge Skatepark is also not the first time, but a neighbor was particularly angry about the profanity the vandal(s) included, given the park is used by very young skaters as well as teens and adults.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT PAINT VANDALISM: Except for the A-board signs, everything mentioned above is/was on city property. This page explains what can be done – report it online, via the Find It Fix It app, or call the hotline, 206-684-7587. Various city crews are assigned to clean graffiti on city property. On private property, it’s the property owner’s responsibility.
Close call at a West Seattle home: Last night just before 11 pm, we heard the dispatch for suspected gunfire near 9th/Henderson, but didn’t hear whether police found anything, so today we requested the report narrative:
911 received multiple calls reporting possible shots being heard in the area of 9 Ave SW / SW Henderson St. Officers arrived in the area and located spent shell casings in the street. A nearby house had been struck several times, with some of the bullets passing through the home. The occupants of the home were contacted and cooperated with the investigation … SW Patrol processed the scene, took photos and collected evidence. A standby was conducted at the request of the victims to allow them time to pack belongings and leave the area for the night. The Gang Unit was notified.
No one was hit/injured. That’s not the first time for gunfire in the area; our archives include this report from last December.
Two reader reports:
STOLEN CAR: From John: “We had a 1999 red Honda CR-V stolen in the last day from SW Stevens St and 46th Ave SW. License BHY9500.” If you see it, call 911.
STOLEN LICENSE PLATES: From Leah, who says this all happened on 40th SW between Edmunds and Hudson:
My daughter’s car had the license plate stolen late evening on 7/31. She has an AZ plate only on the back with tabs expiring in 11/2020.
I talked with a neighbor a few days ago who was outside while I was walking my dog and mentioned his back plate was missing and asked if it was stolen. He said yes and said it was an out of state plate (didn’t say which state) but said the tabs were expired because he was trying to sell it. I told him about my daughter’s stolen plates and told him to report to SPD …
While walking our dog this morning, we saw another car parked that had both plates missing which my daughter says she saw last night with both plates still on. Looks like the car of a student from out of state (parking pass for Warren Wilson College-NC).
This now makes three cars with stolen plates on the same street.
From Festus, hit by a health-minded car prowler:
I live on 34th between Cloverdale and Trenton. Someone broke into our car in our driveway overnight while we were home.
Luckily, some Covid masks and a bag of giveaway clothes were the only things taken, but they really threw the inside of the car around. Just wanted to get the word out. Prowlers are out with the nice weather…
The photo is from a reader reporting an e-bike theft: “My partner had his brand-new bike stolen from our storage at the Huxley [Fauntleroy/Edmunds] over the weekend. It’s a $1,700 bike, still in the box. He uses this bike for work as a courier. If anyone has any leads, please, please let us know.” It’s a black RadCity Step-Thru. The placeholder report # is T20021439.
Reader report:
I live in Arbor Heights, and my Honda Metropolitan was stolen from my driveway, from inside my carport last night, Friday, 8/7, between the hours of 8 pm and 8 am Saturday morning. It has Washington plates, and a slight hole in the seat. If anyone has seen this, please contact the police, or Jena at (206)383-6999.
We’ll add the plate #/incident # when available.
The report is from Sam:
Our 2004 Prius had its catalytic converter stolen Monday or Tuesday night. We finally got it into Alki Auto this morning to diagnose it. And we were one of three vehicles they got today with stolen catalytic converters. Seems like this isn’t going away anytime soon.
Checking our Crime Watch archives, this type of theft has been going on for the entire 12+-year span we’ve been publishing West Seattle news – thieves are after the metal content.
WSB readers have done a great job lately finding stolen items reported here – documents, a backpack, even a car. So maybe you can find some of what a thief took from Makenzie:
I wanted to report a break-in this morning on 46th and Walker. My car was broken into, and about 400 dollars worth of camping equipment was stolen. I wanted to put the word out in case anyone in the neighborhood finds the contents somewhere, or knows anything about it. The stolen property includes; a REI hiking backpack (around 25 liters), two Nalgene water bottles, a pair of down-filled pants (Mont Bell brand), a Patagonia rain jacket, and a map of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
If you find any of this, let us know and we’ll connect you.
(Reader photo, early today)
Early this morning, we covered the Alki incident in which two 19-year-old men were shot and wounded. This afternoon, we’ve received a message from Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman, not so much about the incident’s specifics as about the state of local policing:
Dear West Seattle Neighbors (and Alki Residents, specifically):
As reported on WSB, there was a drive by shooting on Alki early this morning. Following a response from patrol officers, the Gang Unit responded to initiate a follow up investigation. The most recent information about the incident can be found here, on the SPD Blotter.
I am concerned about a recent uptick in shootings in West Seattle and have made violent crime–and gun violence–one of my top priorities. I have directed my officers to deter gun crimes whenever possible, take illegal guns off the street, make arrests for gun crimes, and conduct thorough investigations in shots fired incidents.
I also want to be transparent about SPD’s current resource situation. It is not unusual to have a total of eight officers working in all of West Seattle at any given time–usually four on the west side and four on the east. And during our most busy times, all of those officers are literally running from 911 call to 911 call, based on priority. I recently had to make the difficult decision to eliminate the full-time bicycle squad in West Seattle and to incorporate the officers back into the 911 call response rotation.
Last week I spoke with a frustrated resident who called the non-emergency number several times about some issues at the Don Armeni Boat Ramp, seemingly without a response. I did a little research to find that his call held for almost an hour because officers were busy responding to a rape, shots fired, threats to harm with a suspect on scene, a stolen car, and a stolen license plate. Once officers were finally free and able to respond, they arrived within 16 minutes of being dispatched.
I hear often from residents who make a request to have an officer stationed on their block or in their neighborhood. We simply do not have the resources to fulfill those requests. In past years, SPD had the budget to have officers work emphasis patrols in certain designated areas–like Alki–on an overtime basis. Unfortunately, our budget no longer permits us to do that, and we must work with the available on duty resources.
Please continue to call 911 for emergencies, the non-emergency number for all other complaints (206-625-5011), and officers will be dispatched according to priority and availability. I also encourage you to reach out to the Crime Prevention Coordinator assigned to the Southwest Precinct, Jennifer Danner, about crime prevention strategies. I also encourage you to join SPD in working with other city agencies–like SDOT and Parks–on problem-solving approaches (like the creation of Stay Healthy Streets) that may curb vehicle and pedestrian traffic that lead to other problems.
We clarified with Capt. Grossman that by “uptick in shootings” he included the recent non-injury shots-fired incidents. This is the first injury shooting incident since he took over the precinct a month ago.
(Reader photos)
2:55 AM: Thanks for the tips. 2 people have been taken to the hospital after what police call a drive-by shooting, near 55th/Alki. We just got here to try to find out more.
(WSB photos – this one & next two)
3:08 AM: Two blocks of Alki are shut down while officers investigate. The victims were in a pickup truck into which bullets were fired; casings were found in the street.
3:33 AM: Added more photos.
Police say the victims were both men, one shot in the chest, the other in the arm, both expected to survive. No suspect description yet. This happened during what already was a busy night at Alki, as residents were telling us around midnight – from multiple illegal beach fires to fireworks to stunt-driving in the street (added – reader photo of busy beach shortly before the shooting, hours after closing time):
Police and SFD had been dispatched previously. Also of note: This is the first Alki shooting since February (the suspect in that case remains jailed, awaiting trial).
10:30 AM: SFD says both victims are 19 years old.
5:38 PM: We’ve just published a message from the Southwest Precinct’s new commander, Capt. Kevin Grossman:.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports tonight:
PROWLERS: From Steven in North Delridge:
A little bit before 1:30 am this morning (31 July) prowlers entered my property from the neighbor’s backyard. My decking contractor’s air compressor was stolen. They also surveyed the side and back yards, obviously looking for other items to steal. They also checked windows to see if they could easily gain entry into the house. This occurred on the west side of the 4800 block of 25th Ave SW. My CCTV system caught it all. The cameras are obvious, it is equally obvious they didn’t care about getting recorded.
Two males, one Black, the other unknown. The one with the blue hoodie, the word “EAGLE” is emblazoned across the top of the hood. Both were wearing work gloves. Non-hoodie one is wearing a baseball cap. Hoodie one is wearing a USA flag (red/white/blue) cloth face mask.
This is the second such event on this block within the past three weeks (that I know about). The first time the intruders also forced entry into the neighboring house. Fortunately the offenders decided to crash there for a while, the police were summoned and they were arrested. That house was (and still is) unoccupied, it just got sold and the new owners have not moved in yet.
A police report has been filed.
SCAM CALL: From WSCurmudgeon:
Today a bit after 2 PM, the following voice mail message was left on my mobile phone:
“… department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement actions [sic] filed on your social security number for fraudulent activity. So when you get this message kindly call back at the earliest possible on [sic] our number before we begin with the legal proceedings. That is 833 972 ****. I repeat 833 972 ****. Thank you. ”
Versions of this scam have been around for years. You’ve mentioned these types of scams periodically, so thought you might want to do so again. The Social Security Administration (SSA) never initiates contact with recipients via phone regarding their benefits or problems with their accounts. A mailed notice always precedes any telephone contact.
I definitely did NOT call this number back. I reported this call to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. It’s easy to do online.
The photo and report are from the Highland Park Improvement Club:
Please Help – Someone has stolen the BLM banners from the Highland Park Improvement Club fence – we have recovered half of them but are still searching for the rest. The piece we have was found around 14th & Thistle. Please email with any leads – hp******@***il.com
HPIC is a nonprofit community organization headquartered in a century-old building at 12th and Holden, and has been busy even with the pandemic putting gatherings on hold, offering free food for families, among other things.
One new report and two followups in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:
PUGET RIDGE GUNFIRE: After a reader report about confirmed gunfire on Puget Ridge last night, we requested the incident narrative from Seattle Police. It happened around 9:30 pm; a vehicle described as a “dark-colored sedan” was seen in the 5500 block of 18th SW. One block north, police found five shell casings, all described as 9mm Luger, from two different manufacturers. The police report says no property damage or injuries were reported.
STOLEN CAR FOUND: Kelly confirms what a commenter posted this morning below the report about her stolen white Honda Pilot, taken Friday in Admiral – it was found in the 9400 block of 17th SW.
STOLEN BACKPACK FOUND: The backpack belonging to Tina‘s son, reported stolen at Lowman Beach, turned up today nearby. (Thanks to the finder who texted us so we could tell Tina!)
Kelly is hoping for help looking for her stolen car. It’s a white 2020 Honda Pilot LX, Washington plates BTN0935, stolen in Admiral last Friday morning. If you see it, call 911.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes today:
STOLEN BOAT RECOVERED: Alyssa emailed us this morning to report her 13-foot aluminum boat and trailer “stolen in the middle of the night from in front of our house in Highland Park.” But just as we were preparing to post about it, she sent word that police have found it – missing its motor. (Added: She says it was dumped blocks away, left in the middle of the road by Riverview Playfield.)
DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN BAG OF STUFF: From Marc:
Someone dumped a bag of tools with a i-phone in it and a small space heater still in it’s box. I plugged the i-phone in and looks like the owner has tracking on it??? Anyway, I am hoping to return this stuff to the rightful owner. Found off of Delridge, Willow st. and 24th.
If that might be yours, let us know and we’ll connect you.
Two reports so far today:
ANOTHER CAR DAMAGED BY GUNFIRE: If you heard gunshots early Saturday in the Gatewood/Morgan Junction area – here’s what the police report we obtained today says it turned out to be:
(Saturday morning) I was dispatched to (the 7000 block of) California AV SW, unit to investigate the report of property damage in the form of bullet holes in (victim’s) vehicle that occurred overnight.
I contacted (the victim) in the alley behind his building (east of California AV SW) where his vehicle was parked, backed in to a parking spot perpendicular to the alley. It was immediately obvious that the front and hood of his vehicle was riddled with fresh bullet holes. (He) stated that he approaches his vehicle from behind so he noticed a large wet spot running away from his vehicle but did not notice anything was wrong until he attempted to start his vehicle and “a bunch of warning lights went off” and it would not start.
(We) located 8- spent 9mm Blazer brass shell casings scattered around the alleyway in front of (the) vehicle. We also located 8 separate bullet holes in the front bumper, grill, and hood of (the) vehicle. There were vehicles parked directly on both sides of the’s vehicle as well as in many other spots of the parking strip. None of the other had any damage to them. (The victim) stated that he had just bought the vehicle approximately a month ago and just moved into this apartment building approximately a week and a half prior and did not know of anyone in his personal or professional life that would do something like this. I agreed with that the incident did seem to be targeted toward him or at least his vehicle specifically. A check with SPD dispatch showed a shots fired call with multiple callers from the east of this address at approximately 0048 Hrs this morning (2020-222259). Officers responded and did not locate anything.
No indication whether it might be related to last week’s incidents; police said the weapon in those appeared to have been a shotgun.
STOLEN BACKPACK: Tina hopes you can help find her child’s backpack, stolen Sunday at Lowman Beach Park and containing some items of hers as well: “The backpack is black with Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog. We were at the beach just past all of the houses at the very end of the road.” If yu see an abandoned backpack like that, let us know and we’ll connect you.
P.S. Thanks to the person who found Linda‘s stolen documents and got them back to her after seeing the report here!
11:53 AM: Thanks for the tip: After a report of broken glass at Second Gear Sports in Morgan Junction (6529 California SW), we stopped by to inquire, and found out they were cleaning up after a burglary. No other details yet – they were still working on determining what was taken. We’ll add the police-report number when it’s available.
4:39 PM: An update just received from the proprietors:
To Our Community,
We have upsetting news that our beloved, family-owned store Second Gear Sports was burglarized in the wee hours on July 24, 2020. The front glass to our storefront was completely shattered. Two of our new Flash-brand electric bicycles were stolen, both gray in color, as well as a few backpacks and about three dozen pairs of sunglasses. A police report has been filed. We would welcome any assistance by our community if you have information.
Second Gear Sports is still here for you, and we ask that you continue to support us. If you have any questions or concerns, please message us at in**@**************ts.com or call 206-935-3552.
Thank you,
Ellen & Mark Bremen, and our staff
8:13 PM: Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader report
WINDOW SHOT OUT: From Jenny:
My car was shot with a shotgun in the middle of the night last night. The police officer said it had happened to several other cars in West Seattle as well. (I live a few blocks west of the Junction.)
We have a BLM sign up in our window, and I’m wondering if we were targeted because of it. It would be helpful to hear from the other victims if they had signs up as well.
ADDED 10:21 AM FRIDAY: A Southwest Precinct update on the car-window vandalism:
Southwest Officers responded to a shots fired call with property damage. Several cars along Fauntleroy Way SW were damaged—apparently with a shotgun. No injuries reported. On arrival, officers located a vehicle with the rear driver side and passenger side windows shattered. A second vehicle with similar damage was located one block away. No evidence located at either scene, additionally- no suspects or suspect vehicles. Officers canvassed for external video and nothing of value found.
Anyone with info — or video — please call the SW Detectives at (206) 233-2612 (Sgt Jeff Durden) or (206) 233-2623 (Main line).
(back to original post) PROWLER: From Jessica at 35th and Cloverdale:
10:47 pm Wednesday night. Motion lights scared him off. This is the second prowl in a few months.
| 16 COMMENTS