West Seattle, Washington
13 Sunday
Rite Aid announced tonight that – as long expected – it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Its announcement says it’s arranged for $3.4 billion in financing, but expects to close “additional underperforming stores.” Rite Aid has two stores in West Seattle – California SW south of The Junction, and Westwood Village – and the company owns Bartell Drugs, which has two West Seattle stores, in Admiral and The Junction. As first reported here, the Bartell store in White Center was closed just two weeks ago. The announcement does not list stores planned for closure, and this “fact sheet” says, “While we do not yet know which stores will be closed, we will keep you informed as decisions are made.” No timeline is listed for those decisions. Meantime, if you’re interested in legal documents, a sheaf of them related to today’s filing can be found here. They include “first-day motions” on which a hearing will be held tomorrow before a federal bankruptcy judge in New Jersey, where the case was filed.
Thanks to the texter who tipped us about this today. The owners of West Seattle’s most-visible vacant house – 3804 23rd SW, along the Delridge onramp to the West Seattle Bridge – are under an “emergency order” to seal it up by tomorrow morning. The texter noted this order tacked up at the property:
It orders the building to be “closed” by 8 am tomorrow. We went by late today and didn’t see any sign of work to do that. We’ve mentioned this house many times over the years, most recently half a year ago, when we discovered a plan to remodel it. That plan does not appear to have advanced past pre-application stage so far. Meantime, the violation that has led to the “emergency order” to seal the house by tomorrow is related to at least four prior violations of the city’s Vacant Building Standards. Here’s the full notice; it says that if the owner doesn’t comply by the deadline, they can be fined up to $1,000 a day, and: “the [Department of Construction and Inspections] Director may take corrective action and recover the costs of that action (and) the City may file a lawsuit against you to collect the penalties and costs.” We’ll watch to see if anything comes of it; the house has been a problem spot for many years, even called out on a community-organized tour of problem properties in 2009, with city councilmembers and department heads in attendance.
Thanks to Jerry Simmons for contributing tonight’s featured Halloween-decorations photo. Somewhere in West Seattle, the spirit of the soothing-voiced TV painter Bob Ross is haunting a garage door! (Got a display to suggest, yours or someone else’s? We’ll be featuring at least one nightly through Halloween. westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to let us know – and thanks to everyone who’s already sent suggestions!)
2:14 PM: The Fauntleroy Fall Festival is on! You have until 5 pm to get to the 9100 block of California SW for free festival fun at venues on both sides of the street – the activity list and schedule can be seen here. (And if you’re worried about the weather – many of the events/activities are under a canopy or indoors.)
2:43 PM: Bunny visits are immensely popular. Here’s the line:
That’s happening behind the schoolhouse, where you’ll also find pumpkin bowling:
And music – the Brews Brothers are playing until 3:
Walking from that area toward the schoolhouse, you’ll find West Seattle photographer Holli Margell‘s decorated photo booth:
One change in plan – no birds; The Falconer had to cancel because of illness.
3:30 PM: Before the cakewqlk (video above), the cake judging – Josie and her Dia De Muertos cake won big:
(added) Kathryn sent the next photo – explaining, “Cora was so excited to win the beginners category with her first cake!”
Heading outside, to the Fauntleroy Church parking lot, a variety of festival classics – like pumpkin-decorating:
Birdhouse-building too:
Little ones can make salmon hats to wear to the salmon-drumming event one week from today:
Or get up and take a look inside Seattle Fire Engine 37 (nearest one to Fauntleroy):
Along with activities, you’ll also find booths with local organizations, including the Fauntleroy Community Association:
And the Emergency Communication Hubs (a good thing to get up to speed on – it’s just been a week since that North Sound earthquake shook some here, and the statewide earthquake drill is ahead this Thursday):
And as we’ve been noting in previews, this is volunteer-powered, including the crossing guards helping people get safely between the venues:
The rain has remained light, but again, there’s plenty to do indoors too – the West Seattle Big Band, directed by Jim Edwards, has just started its set inside The Hall at Fauntleroy on the schoolhouse’s south end!
Festival’s only half-over – still time to get here and have fun until 5.
7 PM: Adding more photos and video above. The festivities were best summarized by someone we passed while there, remarking to someone she was with, “This is a delightful fall festival!”
Opponents of Seattle Parks‘ plan to convert former Lincoln Park tennis courts into six pickleball courts gathered today for what you might call a pre-protest. 16 people met up by the park’s main lot, some with signs, before standing along Fauntleroy Way to wave them.
They were strategizing for what they hope will be a sizable protest at the park at 11 am next Saturday (October 21st). They say they’re not opposed to pickleball, just opposed to this location for courts. Their flyers to publicize the upcoming protest are headlined “We Love Pickleball! But Not at the Expense of Seattle’s Biodiversity and Human Respite.”
The biodiversity reference is in relation to birds in the park, who court-conversion opponents fear will be chased away by the loudness of pickleball and by court lighting (which may or may not be installed following the conversion, Parks has told us). Opposition organizer Kersti Muul says she has an appointment to meet with the City Attorney’s Office to discuss her contention that the court conversion is not exempt from State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review; the city says it is because pickleball is not a change in use from the site’s previous status as tennis courts. This is a photo texted by a reader, showing Parks already has cleared the ex-courts of materials that had been stored there:
The conversion plan announced a month ago surprised people because local pickleball players were expecting Parks to make good on a promise to add pickleball striping to three of the six tennis courts at nearby Solstice Park when it’s resurfaced (which was supposed to have happened by now but is on hold until next year because of weather, Parks told us). Parks says it scrapped Solstice striping and came up with the Lincoln Park plan because both tennis and pickleball players preferred separate facilities.
Earlier this week, at the on-site meeting about the West Seattle Junction “landbanked” park site, we asked about its counterpart in Morgan Junction – the future “addition” site to expand the existing park north of Beveridge Place Pub. Parks’ Kelly Goold, who was at the Tuesday Junction pop-up, also happens to be point person on the Morgan project. He said the next step at that site remains the soil remediation (cleanup) required because a dry cleaner used to be on the site. Newest timeline for that, possibly next spring – he says they’re still struggling through the permit process. The design for that park, unlike the one in The Junction, is expected to evolve beyond its original plan, because of the community interest in adding a skateable area, sparked when community members turned the long-idle site into an unofficial skatepark next year. For a more-detailed update on where the site stands, attend this Wednesday’s Morgan Community Association meeting, 7 pm October 18, online – this is part of what’s on the agenda.
In 15 years of publishing the only all-West Seattle lost/found-pets webpage, we’ve heard a lot of stories about how pets find their way home. This week, we heard from Shelley, whose cat is home four months after vanishing, and her story carries a reminder for everyone who shares their life with one or more pets:
Almost four months ago we placed a Lost and Found notice in the West Seattle Blog for our kitty, who went missing on June 19th.
The good news is, a kind man named Dale brought her into West Seattle Animal Hospital in Jefferson Square and Dr. Quincy examined her and found she was chipped. A big thank you to the West Seattle Animal Hospital and especially to a West Seattle resident named “Dale” for bringing Natasha back to us. Surprisingly she doesn’t seem to remember us, but I’m sure we can love her back to the way things used to be.
We asked Shelley how Dale had found Natasha: “She had been living near the Sunset area behind his house down in the wooded area, and she would come up and eat his cat’s food. He fell in love with her and thought she was one brave, beautiful kitty, but his own cat was crabby with her. he is an elderly man and so kind to try to catch her and bring her in to the vet to get her checked out.” So the reminder is – be sure your pet is chipped! And be sure the chip information is up to date – we heard recently from another reader who got her dog back because the finders posted here, but might have had a faster reunion if the chip info had been updated – they’d moved over the years.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s what’s happening as the weekend continues!
NO WATER TAXI: The West Seattle Water Taxi is out of service this weekend for maintenance going into the fall/winter seasons.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Now they’re running on Sunday mornings too – meet at 9 am at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Community art on display at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), open 10 am-6 pm.
WEST SEATTLE SKI SWAP, DAY 2: Skis, snowboards, boots, gloves – get everything you need to start preparing for the winter-sports season at this big community sale!
It’s presented by Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor), happening 10 am-4 pm at the VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open as usual between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering fall fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list.
CHALLAH FOR ISRAEL: Torah Learning Center of West Seattle is demonstrating challah braiding at the Farmers’ Market today, 10 am-2 pm.
POP-UP ART SALE: Last day for the Alki Arts multi-artist pop-up in the pop-up space at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 11 am-6 pm.
ART-GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH: Seasonal specialties at Avalon Glassworks (2914 SW Avalon Way), noon-4 pm.
FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL: Everything you can see and do during this free 2-5 pm celebration is listed in our most-recent preview, which includes the map of the festival grounds on both sides of the 9100 block of California SW. To list some of what’s happening – see birds and bunnies, decorate pumpkins, make a salmon hat, play and climb on inflatables, listen to live music, judge decorated cakes and win them during an old-fashioned cakewalk! (And remember that if you’re entering/donating a cake, drop it off at The Hall at Fauntleroy by noon.)
SEATTLE BRIDAL RACK GRAND OPENING: 2-4 pm, you’re invited to the grand-opening celebration at this new shop in North Admiral, as previewed here. (4304 SW Walker)
COFFEEHOUSE ART: Jennifer Carrasco leads figure painting/drawing at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-9 pm. Contact her to sign up.
EARLY HALLOWEEN PARTY: All invited, 6:30-8 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill):
HALLOWEEN BINGO, PIZZA, AND COSTUME PARTY!
FREE! Great costume and Bingo prizes! Community warmly welcomed!
Grand Prize: 3 nights in Scenic Leavenworth!
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Just received the report and photo from Lisa:
Stolen from West Seattle – police report #23-298094
1998 Nissan Sentra XE
4-door sedan
No hubcaps
Washington license plate: BVA9630
We’re continuing to spotlight local Halloween decorations. Tonight’s photos are from Lacey, who tells us: “We have our annual display up. Big pumpkin scarecrow, lots of skeletons, and a spooky graveyard. We are a half block south of Roxbury on 18th Ave SW. Fun to see day or night!”
If you have – or have seen – a memorable display, let us know so we can feature it! Email westseattleblog@gmail.com (with or without photos – if it’s just a tip, that’s OK too). See what we’ve already shown, by scrolling through our Halloween coverage archive here.
Love where we live? Love the fact that orcas and salmon live in the waters around us? Worried about their chances of survival? You can spend a few hours taking action next Saturday during the fall Duwamish Alive! event. Here’s a reminder from the Duwamish Alive! Coalition:
The Duwamish River is alive with its returning salmon and wildlife. This is a year with one of the largest Pink salmon runs in recent history. In caring for the river, and all those depending upon it, communities will join together for a day of impact at the semi-annual Duwamish Alive! habitat restoration event on Saturday, October 21st. Starting at 10:00 am, community members will roll up their sleeves at multiple sites, to plant native plants, remove invasive plants, and mulch for critical restoration work in the ongoing effort to revitalize Seattle’s only river and its 5 species of salmon, especially its Chinook. which are important for the Southern Resident Orcas.
Efforts include caring for Duwamish Tribal Sacred Sites along the river, special salmon-habitat sites that are critical for juvenile salmon as they make their way to Puget Sound, a kayak river cleanup, creating pollinator-plant meadows, improving the river’s upland forested Greenbelt, and restoring Hamm Creek at a site that honors military veterans and John Beal, the person who started the immense effort in restoring the river’s health. This is a day of not only improving the health of the Duwamish Watershed but also connecting with community. All are welcome to join this effort. This is a family-friendly event, all ages welcome.
For more information and volunteer registration, go to DuwamishAlive.org
Four locations on the list of locations you can choose from are in West Seattle – the other two aren’t far.
That’s the flag pole at the Community School of West Seattle at 22nd and Roxbury, again without its Pride flag. CSWS’s Whitney Young says it’s been stolen for the third time, sometime last night or this morning, The previous two thefts were in May and June. They’re checking to see if they caught the thief on camera. If you have any information, the SPD case # is 23-917640.
Two ways to help Roxhill Elementary as its support organization concludes its fall fundraising – here’s how:
Friends of Roxhill Elementary is wrapping up our 2 Fall fundraisers this weekend and so we are calling on our West Seattle community to help us reach our goals.
1. The Back to School Field Trips and Classroom Fund provides teachers with money for field trips and to equip their classrooms with much-needed supplies, like educational games, toys and books. The goal this year is to give each teacher $20 per student. Donate at: gofund.me/6d1ced75
2. There are only 3 more days to order from the Fall Flower Power Fundraiser! Buy flower bulbs, kitchen garden herbs, sprouts and seeds to bring some joy to your home garden or window sill. Friends of Roxhill Elementary receives 50% of the profits from every order. Order deadline is this Sunday, October 15:
friendsofroxhill.fpfundraising.com
On the second-to-last Friday of the regular season, both local high-school teams won last night. Playing at home at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, Chief Sealth International High School beat Nathan Hale, 32-12, according to the Metro League scoreboard, which says West Seattle High School defeated Ingraham at Northwest Athletic Complex, 14-7. WSHS is now 5-1 and wraps up the regular season at 7 pm next Friday (October 20th) at home at NCSWAC vs, Hale, while at that same time, CSIHS, now 5-2, will play Roosevelt at NWAC.
Thanks to everyone who sent photos! The clouds made for some dramatic views of this morning’s partial solar eclipse. Above is what Coleman Smith saw from 35th and Holden. Below, Brian‘s view from Highland Park:
Highland Park is also where West Seattle skywatching expert/educator Alice Enevoldsen hosted an eclipse-viewing event at Westcrest Park. Jason Enevoldsen shared this photo:
For a closeup view of the mostly-covered sun, here’s what Jamie Kinney saw:
And another look through the clouds, via William Wright‘s photo:
(added) From Scott Nelson:
And from Kevin Freitas:
The eclipse peaked in our area with 80 percent coverage at 9:20 am. Next spring, April 8th, 2024, will bring another partial solar eclipse – 20 percent coverage in that area – watch Alice’s website for viewing info (and advice).
(WSB photos)
The shopping started early at this year’s West Seattle Ski Swap, happening now at the VFW Hall in The Triangle (3601 SW Alaska). It’s presented by Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor), whose store is across the street, and proprietor Greg Whittaker decided to open the doors early so shoppers didn’t have to wait in line. It’s not just skis, though they are available in abundance – you’ll also find snowboards:
And boots:
Plus gloves and other apparel/gear to keep you comfortable during your winter adventures:
Most of the items are from hundreds of your neighbors who consigned them for the sale. Day 1 continues until 5 pm, and then there’s a second Ski Swap day tomorrow (Sunday, October 15th), 10 am-4 pm.
7:47 AM: SFD is just arriving at what’s described as a vacant building where a fire is burning, at 9th/Henderson. Updates to come.
7:50 AM: Firefighters say this is a vacant house and the fire appears to have originated in the basement.
7:55 AM: Both lanes of 9th SW are blocked by the response.
8:04 AM: They’ve “knocked down” the fire enough to search inside the house. So far they haven’t found any signs of the fire extending beyond what they’ve already extinguished.
(Added: WSB photo)
8:10 AM: Fire’s out. Firefighters tell us at the scene that their investigator is on the way to find out what happened. No one was in the house when firefighters arrived, and so no injuries are reported. Photo added. Some SFD units are being dismissed.
(Added: Photo by Tim Durkan)
8:26 AM: Records show the house is on a large lot – 12,000+ square feet – that sold to an LLC last year for $1.1 million. There’s a redevelopment proposal making its way through the city system, for 12 townhouses. (added) Records show the demolition permit was issued months ago.
8:48 PM: Police just told dispatch that 9th is open again.
ADDED: We followed up with SFD, Here’s what spokesperson David Cuerpo told us: “Firefighters extinguished a basement fire in a vacant residential building. No injuries were reported. Fire investigators ruled the incident as incendiary (intentionally set) and forwarded their findings to SPD.”
(Lincoln Park scene, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Welcome to the weekend! Highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
NO WATER TAXI: The West Seattle Water Taxi is out of service this weekend for maintenance going into the fall/winter seasons.
PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE: Will we get to glimpse it here? Skywatching expert/educator Alice Enevoldsen has a plan, 8 am-10 am at Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW), with contingencies – see our calendar listing. If she announces a change or cancellation, we’ll update here. (8 AM UPDATE: Alice was headed to Westcrest as of about 10 minutes ago, in case the eclipse becomes visible between clouds.)
FREE GROUP RUN: Get your weekend going with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run, All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.
WEST SEATTLE SKI SWAP, DAY 1: Skis, snowboards, boots, gear – get everything you need to start getting ready for the winter-sports season at this big community sale presented by Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor), 10 am-5 pm at the VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska), continuing Sunday.
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: You can go admire the community art on display at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), open 10 am-6 pm.
SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The weekly farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW) is open for shopping 10 am-2 pm through the end of this month, prioritizing vendors of color, presented by African Community Housing & Development.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Fall is planting season, and you can shop for student-raised plants at the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) Garden Center, open 10 am-2 pm on the north end of campus.
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Learn about Marco’s music here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
POP-UP ART SALE: Second-to-last day for the Alki Arts multi-artist pop-up in the pop-up space at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 11 am-6 pm.
ART-GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH: Seasonal specialties at Avalon Glassworks (2914 SW Avalon Way), noon-4 pm.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: See what’s new at the home of West Seattle’s history – visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) 12-4 pm.
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
INTERGENERATIONAL PAPER COLLAGE: Hands-on art creation at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), 1:30 pm – please register before going.
BURGERS & BEATS: Saturday night food and music at Revelry Room – burgers start at 6, DJs at 9. (4547 California SW, alley side)
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: 7-9 pm, indie artist Paul Gerard performs at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
AT THE SKYLARK: Punk and indie rock with Karoshi, Plash, Jjanggoo at The Skylark, 7 pm doors, 8 pm music, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm, $10 at the door.
SOUND BATH FOR THE NEW MOON: 7:30 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $40.
HAUNTED DRAG! Halloween-season edition of “Out at the Box,” 9:30 pm at Box Bar (5401 California SW).
Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? If the community’s invited, get your event on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
While most of the local election-season spotlight has shone on the Seattle City Council District 1 race, two other major local positions are on the ballot, both also without incumbents. The candidates in one of those races, King County Council District 8, answered questions for half an hour at the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly lunch meeting.
Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon and citywide Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda are the candidates for the seat that County Councilmember Joe McDermott is leaving. They answered questions asked by local journalist/broadcaster, and WS Chamber board member, Brian Callanan. We recorded the event on video:
From here down are our brief summaries of the questions and answers, starting with the introductory statements. These are summaries/paraphrases with the exception of anything you see in quotation marks.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch incidents, one under investigation right now:
SOUTH DELRIDGE GUNFIRE: Multiple 911 callers reported gunfire about 15 minutes ago, including one person who said a bullet went through their apartment wall. Police have confirmed that and found other “spent rounds,” at 17th/Henderson, and they currently have Henderson blocked off while they look for other evidence. No reports of injuries. Here’s the partial description of the shooter that’s been broadcast so far – Black, male, fired the shots, then got into a white Chrysler SUV and left the scene.
CRASH-AND-GRAB ATTEMPT: Thanks to Chuck for sending the tip on this tonight – it was logged as “property damage” so that didn’t catch our eye in looking at the early-early-morning log. The door at the 76 station/minimart at 4001 California SW is damaged after a would-be crash and grab burglar drove into it around 3 am:
What the would-be burglar(s) didn’t count on is that the manager was still there, and he chased the would-be burglar(s) away; they took off without taking anything.
That’s the map for Sunday’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival – venues on both sides of the 9100 block of California SW in the heart of Fauntleroy, 2-5 pm. Here’s what you’ll find – the activity list, and the schedule for time-specific events:
And one more reminder for cake-bakers – you’re invited to enter the decorated-cake contest (with entries doubling as donations for prizes in the cake walk) – bring your fall-themed cakes to The Hall at Fauntleroy‘s Vashon Room (south end of Fauntleroy Schoolhouse) by noon Sunday – more info here.
(SDOT camera image)
The alert is just in from SDOT, for repaving work next week:
Delridge Way SW between SW Genesee St and SW Dakota St
8 AM Mon. October 16 through 5 PM Mon. October 23 *
*Weather permitting SDOT will replace several damaged concrete panels in the northbound lanes.
The northbound bus and travel lanes on this section of Delridge Way SW will be closed 24 hours a day from 8 AM Mon. Oct. 16 to 5 PM Mon. Oct. 23
o During this time, the two southbound lanes will be temporarily converted into one northbound lane and one southbound lane.
o No detours will be in place. Traffic will continue using Delridge Way SW.
Some on-street parking in the area may be temporarily closed for use byconstruction equipment.
o Any parking restrictions will be posted prior to taking effect.
Sidewalks will remain open at all times.
This project is comparable to the project SDOT crews completed earlier this year in the southbound lanes of this same section of Delridge Way SW.
The man charged with a North Delridge murder and South Delridge shooting in one night last year has been found guilty by a King County Superior Court jury. 44-year-old Jaycee C. Thompson was arrested and charged days after the crimes. In June 2022, he shot and killed 56-year-old Anthony “Gonzo” Gonzalez, described as a “friend,” at an encampment at 26th/Juneau, hours after shooting and wounding a 35-year-old man at 16th/Barton. Charging documents said Thompson shot Mr. Gonzalez dead after forcing a man, at gunpoint, to take him to the structure in which the victim lived, where he reportedly first said something like “Where’s the money and drugs?” before opening fire. Thompson, a convicted felon, had been released from jail one week before the shootings, over prosecutors’ objections, as explained in our original story on his arrest. The jury in this case found him guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted robbery, and first-degree kidnapping, as well as “special verdicts” that he committed crimes while armed with a gun. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 26th; we’re awaiting information from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on the potential sentencing range.
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