White Center Now: The blog about White Center

SUNDAY NIGHT: King County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a shooting near 14th SW and SW 107th, with at least one victim being taken to the hospital. According to radio exchanges, the call first came in as a drive-by shooting that damaged a vehicle, and then came word that a woman had been shot. One deputy told dispatch there are “casings all over 14th.” The suspect vehicle was described as a gray BMW. That’s all we have so far – we’ll add any updates that become available.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON: KCSO did not answer our followup inquiry Monday but did today. The only update is that the victim is in stable condition; otherwise, the investigation is ongoing.

A 26-year-old man accused of burglarizing a White Center home and assaulting a sheriff’s deputy is charged and expected to be arraigned later this week. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed charges of residential burglary and third-degree assault against Christopher R. Rodriguez, five and a half months after the incident. Court documents say Rodriguez broke into a house and yards in the 9600 block of 13th SW on the afternoon of September 28th, 2021, and threatened the responding deputies with a hunting knife. They used a Taser to subdue him and take him into custody. Rodriguez has been in jail since March 4th, bail set at $5,000, the sixth time he’s been jailed in six months; he’s also charged in an unrelated case of allegedly eluding police, in January 2021 in SeaTac. He was scheduled for arraignment today but the hearing was postponed until Thursday (March 17th).

Cannabis shops around the metro area have been targeted by armed robbers, and North Highline was hit again at least twice this week. We confirmed with the King County Sheriff’s Office that NimBin Pot Shop (10861 1st Avenue South) was hit Wednesday night around 11:30 pm. KCSO would confirm only that the three robbers left on foot and then may have gotten into a red vehicle. Scanner traffic at the time described it as possibly a Dodge Challenger type vehicle, saying that the three robbers were armed with four guns, and that they escaped with cash. Then tonight another robbery was reported; thanks to Gill for the tip that KING 5 TV reported the nearby West Seattle Marijuana Store (which is not actually in West Seattle) on Myers Way was robbed around 5:30 tonight. KING’s report says “two or three” armed robbers hit the shop and got away.

Deputies have just arrested a man after a relatively short standoff that closed the intersection of 16th and Roxbury as well as streets around it. They say he had threatened them with a knife. He stood at the northeast corner of the intersection with the knife, but eventually moved close enough to deputies with shields that they were able to deploy a Taser and now have him in custody. We’re told the streets should reopen within half an hour (by 10:15-ish).

Peyton sent this report and photo in hopes someone has seen her dad’s work truck:

*STOLEN VEHICLE**
White Ford box truck with 2 LED lights on back and extendable ladder on the side
License plate- C95272L

My dad Sean Sullivan woke up yesterday morning 12/16 to an unimaginable nightmare – his work truck was gone. It was parked in White Center off 14th and 100th in front of the old La Mexicana building. One unit south of WestSide Baby. It was holding an estimated 50-100k worth of tools and equipment. My father started his company about 7 years ago and has worked extremely hard to grow both his company and the tools he had stored in his truck. This is his daily work truck so it had an extensive amount of his important tools as well as his daily working tools, excess parts, extra wire, hundreds of breakers, just about anything you can imagine you would need as an electrical contractor was in this truck. We are hoping someone may have seen or heard something. I can only imagine the heartache my father is feeling having lost what seems like his livelihood..especially with the holiday season right around the corner! If you have any leads or think you may have seen or heard something, please reach out to myself or my father! The police were (alerted) and there is an open case C-21040633 with King County Sheriffs.

Sullivan Electric LLC
Peyton- 425-312-4461
Sean- 206-419-8884

If you see it, also call 911.

At last week’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting (full report to come), King County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Kennamer noted that burglaries were decreasing, and mentioned a possible reason: The arrest of someone believed responsible for multiple burglaries. While he didn’t identify the suspect, we believe we’ve found him via court documents: 34-year-old Nicholas E. Pierce is in King County Jail, charged in four burglaries, all but one in White Center.

The first one happened at a real-estate office near 17th/98th on June 21st. The business had the break-in on video, from which deputies recognized Pierce, because, the documents say, they “have dealt with Pierce for several years.” They arrested him the next day – but a judge released him from jail one day later. A charge of second-degree burglary was filed in August, but Pierce didn’t show up for arraignment. Jail records show he was arrested November 17th and released again after one day, then arrested days later – November 22nd – and has been behind bars ever since. In the meantime, he’s been charged with three more burglaries. On August 20th, he allegedly broke into the burned-out building in the 9600 block of 16th SW and was caught walking out with toolboxes, the owner trailing him recording video until Pierce allegedly threatened to stab him. Then on October 20th he is accused of breaking into Patrick’s Bakery and Café in White Center, also recorded on video, in which he allegedly used some of the restaurant’s knives to pry open the register, though the report says he got away empty-handed. And he is charged with burglarizing the Burien business where he was caught on November 22nd, Mai’s Hair Salon, whose owner saw the burglary on video and called 911. Deputies found him hiding inside, and their report describes him as a “prolific burglar.”

In each of these four cases, Pierce is charged with second-degree burglary, a felony. His past convictions are mostly for domestic violence. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail, and is scheduled to be arraigned next week.

Just received from King County Local Services, word of an online public-safety meeting for White Center businesses next Tuesday (October 19th):

Here’s the participation info in clickable format:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/85676401136
Meeting ID: 856 7640 1136 / Passcode: SAFEpublic

Dial-in: 253-215-8782 / Passcode: 5584815021

Deputies are searching for a man who just held up the KeyBank in White Center. He is reported to be armed. No description or other details yet.

4:05 PM: Photo added. The bank is closed while deputies gather witness statements. No clear description yet but a getaway vehicle is believed to have been involved. Also, deputies told dispatch the robber gave bank employees a note threatening to shoot if they didn’t hand over cash.

King County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a robbery that was just reported at Nimbin Pot Shop on 1st Avenue South in Top Hat. Deputies were told that three robbers – at least two with guns – held up the store. According to emergency-radio exchanges, they are still working on description information and whether they got away on foot or via vehicle.

Per Seattle Police policy, SPD has gone public with their video from last night’s deadly shootout in White Center. See it here – if you choose to; please note the warning, as you see and hear gunfire in the video, and you see the man who was shot by SWAT officers, before, during, and after the gunfire. We don’t know anything more yet about the man who was killed; he was described only as a 22-year-old man suspected of a Seattle murder that happened “earlier this year.” Officers had gone to the house near 21st/100th to arrest him, and after they announced themselves, police say, he came out of the house holding a gun, and fired at them; they shot back, as seen and heard in the video, and he was declared dead at the scene. Police have also released this photo of the gun with which they say the man was armed, adding that “The gun was reported stolen in King County in June 2021.”

SPD says three officers were involved in the shooting and that they are on paid administrative leave.

ADDED MONDAY: The Seattle Times says the man who was killed was Isaiah Hinds, identified in June as the suspect in a murder at a South Seattle church in March.

6 PM: Seattle Police SWAT was serving an arrest warrant in White Center near 20th and 100th when shots were fired. We don’t know yet who fired but the person who was shot was described as a suspect. We are at the scene and will update.

6:06 PM: If you’re in the area, police have set off a ‘flashbang’ before entering the house to see if anyone else is inside. The shooting happened outside.

6:17 PM: The person who was shot has been taken to the hospital. (Correction: Police later said he was declared dead at the scene.) Officers are now searching the residence. The area’s been taped off, including SW 100th.

6:42 PM: SPD Chief Adrian Diaz is here. Officers are still trying to ensure the house is clear.

6:47 PM: They’ve just set off another flashbang and are using other audible tactics in case there’s anyone inside

6:56 PM: The helicopter is TV.

7:24 PM: We and other media are awaiting a briefing from an SPD public-information officer.

7:55 PM: SPD says the person shot by officers has died. They confirm they had gone to the house to arrest a suspect in a Seattle murder case from earlier this year – but they are not yet confirming that the dead man is the person for whom they had a warrant. We recorded the briefing on video and will add soon. (Added: Here’s the clip.)

The distinction that the warrant was for a Seattle case is important because it rules out the recent unsolved White Center/North Highline murders – those were outside the city limits.

MIDNIGHT: SPD Blotter says the man who was shot was 22 years old and was the suspect officers had gone there to arrest.

11:07 PM: A man reported to have stab wounds to his face is being treated near 15th and 100th, and deputies are there investigating. They’re still clarifying the circumstances; they’re telling dispatch that the attack might have happened in an apartment complex a few blocks away.

11:14 PM: Deputies have gone to an apartment in that complex, in the 1300 block of SW 100th, and found blood inside. Meantime, the victim will be taken to Harborview Medical Center.

11:59 PM: No further updates so far.

(WCN/WSB photo by Patrick Sand)

King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Tim Meyer says the victim in a shooting near 28th/Roxbury last night has died. We don’t know anything about the victim yet except that, after being shot at least three times, he ran to the Shell station at that intersection before collapsing. Emergency responders worked to save his life before taking him to Harborview Medical Center, where he arrived in critical condition and died overnight. No one has been arrested yet in connection with the shooting, which deputies were told might have happened outside nearby Roxbury Lanes before the killer took off in a vehicle.

(Texted photo)

3:58 PM: Sheriff’s deputies are arriving at the scene of a shooting reported on 16th SW near SW 98th in downtown White Center. One person is reported to have been shot. No one is reported in custody. Deputies are closing traffic on adjacent streets. “Multiple rifle and pistol casings” are reported (described as “40 cal and .223”). Avoid the area.

(WCN/WSB photos/video from here, by Patrick Sand)

4:17 PM: Deputies have told dispatch there may be a second victim who someone is taking to the hospital. Also, an additional car is reported to have a bullet hole. Meantime, dispatch has told deputies that “two people with gunshot wounds” are in the ER at Harborview Medical Center.

4:21 PM: And dispatch reports “a third” person was just “dropped off” at the hospital. And that’s all before the victim at the scene was taken there – a medic unit is just now departing White Center with that person.

4:32 PM: Our crew at the scene sent that photo of deputies with shell-casing markers outside Taradise Café. Deputies told dispatch that witnesses described the shooter as a Black man in his 30s wearing an orange hoodie, gray beanie, and light-blue jeans, He was reportedly shooting from “behind cover” of a vehicle parked nearby. A victim is reported to have been in this car that subsequently went up on the sidewalk and into the business building on the northeast corner of 16th/98th.

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 when that happens. Also, if you’re noticing a helicopter – that’s TV.

5:52 PM: KCSO’s Sgt. Tim Meyer confirms four people were shot and says two have died. (added) He wouldn’t confirm anything else, but for the record, here’s our video of his briefing:

7:07 PM: We also added more photos inline above. Also note more gunshot damage – like this business window:

A commenter on our partner site West Seattle Blog says she saw the shooting happen, amid an apparent argument.

We’ll add any new details that emerge tonight and beyond.

10:15 PM: Deputies have told dispatch that roads are reopening.

6:09 PM: As reported here two weeks ago, the King County Sheriff’s Office knew who they were looking for in the serial business vandalism that’s plagued White Center – and now they’ve made an arrest. Announced by KCSO via social media:

The King County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to share an update to a May 4th post featuring a suspect who shattered a White Center business window using a rock.

Detectives in our Southwest Precinct, along with help from storefront and other deputies who know the White Center community best, identified the suspect. With the suspect’s name known, it took several days before they were located, then arrested.

Tuesday afternoon 05/18/2021, the suspect was booked into the King County jail for the 11th time since 2017. The suspect remains held without bail on a felony burglary charge.

7:10 PM: Despite the KCSO post mentioning that the suspect was still in jail, she’s not. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says the 30-year-old woman was released on personal recognizance Thursday, though prosecutors asked that she be held on $5,000 bail. She is not yet charged in this case – involving window-smashing at Macadon’s – but it’s under review by a deputy prosecuting attorney.

Multiple reports of street racing/stunt driving in White Center tonight. We don’t have specifics but earlier today, the State Patrol sent an update on their ongoing efforts:

In response to the increased illegal street racing and street/freeway takeover activities across the region, and inherent recklessness of those in attendance the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and multiple other police agencies throughout the Puget Sound region have come together to focus on this important public safety issue.

In early 2021 multiple King, Pierce, and Snohomish county police agencies came together and coordinated their efforts to respond to, and investigate illegal street racing related incidents in the region. In addition to law enforcement collaboration, local municipal and county prosecutors have voiced their support and dedication to improving public safety in responding to this significant public safety issue.

Since early March, investigators from the Tacoma and Kent Police Departments, the Washington State Fusion Center, and the WSP have all worked together to identify and arrest multiple suspected racers, and forwarded over 220 different charges against 29 different people in relation to these incidents. These charges range from Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment, Disorderly Conduct, and Malicious Mischief all the way up to Vehicular Assault. Charges have been forwarded on suspected organizers, drivers and spectators who contribute to these events.

This problem is not new, nor is it unique to our region. In fact, this is a trend seen in many large cities across the country. But with it has come repeated instances of this reckless and irresponsible behaviors leading to serious injuries of those involved in the racing activities and the bystanders watching alike. It is a unified goal to bring attention, enforcement, and an end to the reckless behavior that has resulted in multiple fatal and serious injury incidents in relation to street racing events. These joint efforts and collaboration on the part of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors across the region will continue to be dedicated towards street racing as long as it continues to be a nuisance and danger to the public, as well as an inconvenience to those motorists impacted by this behavior.

Captain Ron Mead, commander of field operations for the WSP in District 2 (which encompasses all of King County), stated, “This regional problem exceeds the ability of any single law enforcement agency to address it alone. By working together we hope to bring these unsafe and illegal behaviors that pose significant risks to those involved, bystanders, and uninvolved motorists to an end. Through coordinated efforts, better use of resources, and collaboration with local prosecutors’ offices, participants in this dangerous activity will be held accountable for the betterment of public safety.”

Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Stephen A. Herschkowitz, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, added, “The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is committed to helping protect the safety of our communities’ streets by working closely with WSP and other county agencies for this special emphasis. ?While sometimes glamorized, reckless racing and drifting outside appropriate venues is extraordinarily dangerous. Recently, several people in our county have been severely injured, and one has died, as a result of these illegal street-racing activities. Our office is proud to provide legal assistance to our law-enforcement partners aspart of this emphasis team.”

If you haven’t already heard about this – it’s gotten regional media attention – we’ve been asked to share the link for a crowdfunding campaign to help White Center businesses recover from vandalism. The GoFundMe page says businesses hit so far include:

· Salvadorean Bakery & Restaurant
· Bizzarro Italian Cafe
· Full Tilt
· Macadons
· Mynt Salon
· Decoraciones Ely
· Za-Za Boutique
· Crawfish House
· Beer and Wine Source
· La Tipica Oaxaqueña

If you can contribute, here’s where to go.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has just filed five felony charges against 26-year-old Irene Plancarte-Bustos, arrested after the Ambaum crash that killed two people on Tuesday. The South Delridge resident is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, two of hit-run, one of negligent driving. The charging documents say her 3 1/2-year-old son was in her car when she hit the victims’ car in the 11800 block of Ambaum, going about 60 mph in a 35 mph zone. He was not hurt. Deputies found her in the nearby mini-mart parking lot; she had not called 911 nor attempted to return to the crash scene, they said. Plancarte-Bustos, who has no known criminal record, remains in jail, bail set at $250,000.

Meantime, the victims are identified as a West Seattle couple, 38-year-old Kamel Dupuis-Perez and 35-year-old Lauren Dupuis-Perez, parents of two young children. Friends and family have set up this crowdfunding page to ensure the children’s educational (and other) expenses are covered.

More information this afternoon about the Ambaum crash that left two people dead on Tuesday just south of White Center. The woman blamed for causing the crash remains in jail, bail set at $250,000. She is 25 years old and court documents say she lives in West Seattle. Deputies say they found her in the Rainbow Mini-Mart parking lot, clearly intoxicated, and that she admitted to having been drinking. She told them she was driving home from her job on Beacon Hill and was “in a rush.” The documents say she was driving a white car and appeared to be “racing” a black car in the northbound lanes when she hit the blue car containing the victims, who spun into the path of oncoming southbound traffic. A red pickup’s driver was unable to stop in time to avoid hitting them. She faces possible charges of vehicular homicide and felony hit-run. The victims have not yet been publicly identified; the incident report describes them only as a man and a woman who appeared to be in their 30s.

Deputies are launching a search right now for somebody who apparently drove into the Rainbow Mini-Mart at Ambaum/116th a short time ago. Radio communication indicates the car is still there but an “older white man wearing jeans and a tan shirt, carrying a box” was seen leaving on foot. A K-9 crew will be joining the search.