FOLLOWUP: Sheriff’s plan after 2 North Highline shootings in 2 days
(WCN photo from Sunday)
From the King County Sheriff’s Office this afternoon:
After a series of shootings over the weekend, the Sheriff’s Office wants to assure our White Center residents and business owners that public safety is our top priority and we are taking action to combat violent crime in the area.
King County Sheriff Mitzi G. Johanknecht said, “We are aware that violent crime is trending up. We will be adding deputies for increased emphasis patrols targeting crimes of violence.”
“The patrols will be random and at different times of the day to increase visibility in areas where violent crime is likely to occur,” said Sheriff Johanknecht.
The two shootings this weekend are not related, and so far there is no indication either is gang-related. Here is an update on each shooting:
Outside Hookah Lounge on 17th Avenue SW
On Sunday Morning, 6/23/2019 at 5:30 AM, a 911 call came in with someone hearing shots in the area of SW Roxbury/ 17 AVE SW. A deputy responded but did not hear or see anything initially. After checking for about 30 minutes, he cleared the call.
At 6:13 AM, three males showed up at Harborview Medical Center, each with gunshot wounds. Just before 7 AM, it was determined that this incident had occurred at the 9800 BLK 17 AVE SW. Deputies arrived on scene and located numerous shell casings. King County Major Crimes responded to the scene and located over 40 shell casings. Detectives believe some type of disturbance occurred outside of an after-hours club located in the alley between 16 AVE SW and 17 AVE SW. The disturbance led to a shooting between multiple people. A 28-year-old male was shot in the leg and was treated and released from the hospital. A 30-year-old male remains in critical condition, and a 29-year-old male remains in serious condition. Major Crimes continues to investigate.
1st Avenue SW Shooting
Today, Monday 6/24/2019 at 7:55 AM, a 27-year-old male caller reported he had just been shot near his house at 10600 BLK 1 AVE SW. The male suspect, known to the victim, fled the scene. King County Medics treated the victim on scene for a gunshot wound to the shoulder. The medics transported him to Harborview Hospital; his condition was listed as serious. The victim was not very cooperative with Deputies about what had occurred. At this time it is unknown what led up to the shooting, but this case remains under investigation.
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June 24th, 2019 at 7:27 pm
Thank you for reporting that there will be increased patrol. Few weeks ago shooting occurred at Super Saver Grocery.. seems like 1-2 shootings every month now;(
I don’t feel very safe as of late. Just curious – Does the ‘meet and ask questions with police’ events that’s usually happen in West Seattle coffee shops ever offered in this area? Or is it because it is unincorporated it isn’t a priority?
June 25th, 2019 at 7:27 pm
At the very least, the monthly North Highline Unincorporated Area Council is a good place to get briefed by KCSO. They’ve just gone into summer hiatus, though.
June 25th, 2019 at 10:23 am
Thanks for the followup information. Would like to find out more information about the “Hookah Lounge on 17th Avenue SW”. What is in the photo?
June 25th, 2019 at 12:56 pm
This is nice and all, but to recap using this blog’s coverage:
Apr 14: KC Sheriff meeting where public is told “it’s so much better than it’s ever been,” “social media is tricking you into thinking it’s worse,” “you can try writing to officials to get more patrols in the area but it hasn’t changed in 21 years,” and “slight uptick during the summer”
Apr 20: gunfire
Apr 22: deadly shooting
Apr 22: gunfire
Jun 3: shooting
Jun 23: shooting
Jun 24: shooting
…and I left-out the robbery and rape-victim assault, as well as the incidents preceding the April 14 meeting.
So when I hear “We will be adding deputies for increased emphasis patrols targeting crimes of violence. The patrols will be random and at different times of the day to increase visibility in areas where violent crime is likely to occur” it *sounds like* maybe an additional patrol car will drive through White Center a couple times a day to temporarily increase Sheriff coverage from 2 officers to 4 for a few minutes at a time.
Personally, this doesn’t make me feel any safer.
Is there any data on how violent crime per capita compares to Burien and other areas relying on KC Sheriff as their primary police coverage? If the per capita crime is higher in White Center, I feel the case could be made to move deputies from other areas to White Center until this gets under control.
June 26th, 2019 at 12:38 am
I live two blocks north of Roxbury, and four blocks from where this incident took place. I’m not able to vote on annexation, as someone already within city limits, but this is the biggest reason I think that White Center should vote for it, if it ever comes to ballot. KCSO just doesn’t have the money to shift significant resources to this area. Perhaps the annexation efforts need to focus on a smaller area, encompassing the downtown core and immediate area?
June 26th, 2019 at 8:40 am
One thing people need to take in to consideration is these shootings have not been random . They have been people who know each other and have some type of disagreement . That for what ever reason they feel the need to pull a trigger . Seems most even if not reported as gang related they are still thug’s most likely not your average firearms owner . These are morons that will shoot over a scuffed shoe or someone talking trash . They don’t think of consequences of there actions . They don’t even take the time to do a little target practice or know how to shoot correctly . Also these shootings have been mostly in the middle of the night .
June 27th, 2019 at 3:29 pm
I agree with Tyler about annexation. Seattle also has an officer shortage, but I see them all over Highland Park all the time. Not so much when I’m in WC. It’s really a bummer because there are fun places to go there like Beer Star which is kid and dog friendly. I could definitely see families not comfortable to visit though with all the shootings. I’m wondering if the businesses there will start a campaign for annexation. I would.
July 1st, 2019 at 1:07 am
Jimmy, whether or not the folks in the gun battle outside the after hours lounge knew each other or not, the amount of random gunfire in that incident ought to concern everyone. Those bullets that miss their intended target don’t just stop flying of their own accord.