White Center Now: The blog about White Center

(Photos by Patrick Sand for White Center Now and West Seattle Blog)
10:57 AM: There’s a report of a man hit by a bus at 16th and Roxbury, and police/fire crews are rushing that way. Updates shortly.

11:04 AM: Though this was originally dispatched for Seattle crews, it’s on the county side, so King County Sheriff’s Office deputies are handling, per scanner traffic.

11:19 AM: Southbound on 16th and eastbound on Roxbury are blocked. Our crew at the scene says the bus (a Route 128) was still stopped at the scene as of a few minutes ago. The man who was hit, meantime, apparently came into contact with the bus rack. His injuries are not described as major but he is being taken to a hospital to be checked out.

11:46 AM: Metro has sent an alert saying the 120 is rerouted off eastbound Roxbury because of this.

1:24 PM UPDATE: As of about 1:15, investigators still had eastbound Roxbury blocked off from 15th to 17th. Westbound is open and 16th is fully open. The King County Sheriff’s Office is investigating; spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West says the bus was southbound on Delridge turning left to go eastbound on Roxbury; the man who was hit, in his early 30s, was crossing Roxbury northbound southbound* in the crosswalk when the bus hit him.

*New information Wednesday from KCSO.

Crossposted from partner site West Seattle Blog– a bulletin tonight from King County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Cindi West:

30 Year old Emanuel Kozma was arrested tonight around 6:30PM in the Denny’s parking lot at S170sth and Pacific Hwy in SeaTac. He was the subject that King County Sheriff detectives chased on the 10th in the White Center area.

Detectives said he will be booked for investigation of Eluding, Assault 1, and Unlawful Possession of Firearm. The case will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for review. He was caught due to persistent work from detectives!

In the same block (11th/Roxbury) as the story we reported earlier today – though we do not know whether it’s related – there was a huge King County Sheriff’s Office response this afternoon. Thanks to everyone who texted, Facebooked, e-mailed to let us know about it. It didn’t last long – the last units were leaving just as our crew arrived. We checked with KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West who says someone called for help and the call sounded as if there might have been a gun or even gunfire involved, and that’s why there was a big response – but they determined that no gun or gunfire was involved after all. There was an arrest because something was apparently stolen from the person who called for help, by the person they called about – but investigators are still sorting out the circumstances.

A shooting incident in White Center last week has come to light via charges filed by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office – first reported this morning by seattlepi.com, and now we have the online court documents. They say that it happened around 1:15 am on Sunday, October 7th, in the 9600 block of 11th SW. The victim and her 9-month-old baby were asleep when bullets shattered the bedroom window – 7 of them, it was later learned, all lodging or falling within a foot of where she and her baby slept. The victim grabbed her baby and ran out of the room to call 911; relatives were asleep elsewhere in the house. No one was hit.

A King County Sheriff’s Deputy heard the gunfire from four blocks away, the court documents say, and as he drove in the direction from which he had heard it, he stopped a man and a woman, both on foot. The radio traffic at the time mentioned a getaway vehicle, so after some discussion, the two were not detained, but later information – plus the work of investigators including a K-9 team – led investigators to relocate and arrest both suspects. The court documents say the victim knew both of them and that the female suspect, 27-year-old Ebonee M. Heller, had been in a dispute with her over allegations that a friend of Heller’s had sexually assaulted a relative of the victim. The charging document say the male suspect, 28-year-old Tony D. Avery, fired the gun under orders by Heller, who he claims was going to pay him to “hurt that bitch.” Deputies found not only a 9-mm handgun but also used surgical gloves, inside out, still sweaty.

Both Avery and Heller are charged with assault, and remain in jail; his bail is set at $1 million, hers at $200,000.

The King County Sheriff’s Office (which provided the photo, via Twitter) sends word that they expect to hire 14 deputies in the months ahead, “using current resources from (the) existing budget,” according to a news release. King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County Councilmembers Joe McDermott and Kathy Lambert joined Sheriff Steve Strachan for the announcement downtown. The money is coming “from current vacancies,” KCSO says, with 4 hires planned before the end of this month, 5 next month, and 5 in January.

(9/7/12 photo by WCN co-publisher Patrick Sand)
The King County Sheriff’s Office has sent an update on the case of Victoria McMullen, the woman found dead in Mallard Lake on September 7th and identified three days later. She was missing – from California, according to Sgt. Cindi West:

On September 7th around 10 AM the King County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a body found in Mallard Lake at the Coronado Springs Apartment complex located at 1400 SW 107 street in the White Center neighborhood of King County.

A witness told detectives that on Sunday the 2nd of September she had a yard sale in her front yard which is near the lake. Sometime around 6:30 to 7:00P PM she witnessed a young woman walk into the courtyard area of the apartment complex. The woman had a black and white soccer ball with her. She jumped over the short fence that encircles the pond and was playing around at the water’s edge.

The witness saw the woman dive into the water and swim towards the middle of the lake. Based on what she saw, the witness felt the girl was a strong swimmer. A short time later the witness saw the women waving her arms in the air. She was not sure if the woman was in distress or not. The woman was not yelling for help. The witness, who is elderly, contacted her neighbor and asked him to check on the woman.

When the neighbor came out to look, the woman was not to be seen. The soccer ball was floating at the far end of the pond. The witness believed at the time that the victim had gotten out of the lake.

The woman recovered from the pond was later identified as Victoria McMullen of El Cajon, California.

The victim had been married for a year, and she and her husband had a 6 month old child. The victim’s husband is in the military and had formerly been stationed in Washington State.

The victim’s father said he usually speaks daily with his daughter. When he had not heard from her for a week he called his son in-law. When they spoke the son in-law informed him that he and the victim had a fight and that she had requested he drive her to the San Diego Airport. He thought she was going to Seattle, but he did not know for sure.

The victim’s father called the El Cajon Police and requested a welfare check for his daughter at the home she shared with her husband and the baby.

On September 7th, 2012 at 6:40 PM the El Cajon Police Department conducted a welfare check at the home of Victoria McMullen. No foul play was detected and it was determined that the victim’s husband did not board the plane with the victim, and was at work in California all week.

El Cajon Police accessed the victim’s bank records and found that she had bought a Southwest airline ticket from San Diego to Phoenix and then from Phoenix to Seattle. She arrived in Seattle at 12:20 on Sunday the 2nd, the same day she was found in the lake. Debit card transactions showed her card was used at a Walgreen’s in White Center sometime after she arrived in Seattle.

King County detectives used a distinctive tattoo on the victim’s ankle to help identify her and gave them their first lead as to who she may be.

El Cajon officers investigating the welfare check/missing person case on Victoria contacted the Sheriff’s Office to confirm the identity.

Detectives said there were no obvious signs of trauma to the body. Detectives are awaiting toxicology results from the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The two candidates for King County Sheriff on the November 6th ballot came to White Center tonight and spent a spirited hour trying to win votes. They are current Sheriff Steve Strachan – appointed when Sue Rahr resigned – and challenger John Urquhart. The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council invited them for a forum-within-a-forum at tonight’s quarterly Public Safety Forum, and we have it all on video.NHUAC’s Richard Miller introduced them.

The agenda for tonight’s forum also included disaster preparedness and a crime update, delivered by White Center’s storefront deputy BJ Myers, whose 12-minute appearance is also on video. Among other things, he talked about the strong-arm robberies that led to recent arrests (as reported here):

The King County Medical Examiner has identified the woman found dead at Mallard Lake in White Center last Friday as 22-year-old Victoria McMullen. The KCME says the cause of death is still under investigation. We also checked with King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West; she says KCSO investigators did not find any obvious signs of trauma, but they won’t know the cause of death – and whether it was accidental or homicide – until toxicology reports come in (which could take weeks). She said the victim is believed to be from out of state.

10:19 AM: The King County Sheriff’s Office reports a fatal crash at 9th and 106th SW (map), with one person dead. We’ll update from the scene shortly.

11:07 AM UPDATE: The crash is in an off-the-beaten-path a residential neighborhood. Two vehicles are involved; we’ve just added photos (blurring one otherwise-visible plate, as is WCN policy). Investigators from the Major Accident Response and Reconstruction team are at the scene now; they’ve deferred comment to KCSO’s media liaison, Sgt. Cindi West, from whom we expect more information later.

11:28 AM UPDATE: Commenter Beverly says the victim is a neighbor who lives on the street where this happened.

11:55 AM UPDATE: That’s confirmed by Sgt. West, with whom we just spoke; she says the victim is in his early 70s and was pulling out of his driveway onto SW 106th, when an eastbound vehicle hit him. The woman and child in that car were not seriously hurt, she said, and neither driver appeared to have been under the influence, nor does it seem speeding was a factor, according to Sgt. West, though the final determination of the crash’s cause will be up to the MARR’s findings.

We got some calls/messages early today about the law-enforcement helicopter Guardian One over the White Center/Highland Park area, and finally found out from King County Sheriff’s Deputy BJ Myers what happened. Talking with us at Jubilee Days, Deputy Myers said it involved a report of gunfire near 17th and 98th. No evidence of the reported gunfire, though, he said – nobody hurt, no property damage, no shell casings found. A suspect was reported to have been seen running; one person was arrested and said to have had a gun, but Deputy Myers said no one has identified him as having been involved with the alleged gunfire.

Last Friday afternoon, we brought you first word of a robbery at KeyBank in White Center. Today, the King County Sheriff’s Office has released a photo of the robber – and word of a reward:

The King County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying a man who robbed a bank last Friday afternoon in the White Center area.

The incident occurred at the Key Bank in the 9600 block of SW 17th around 4pm on July 13th. The (robber) entered the bank and produced a note demanding money. The (robber) fled on foot northbound towards Roxbury.

The (robber) is described as a white man, 24-27, 5’ 6”- 5’8” with a skinny build. He was last seen wearing glasses, a dark zippered hoodie, a dark t-shirt, and gray knit cap.

If you have information about this crime please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311

Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and charges in this case. You can remain anonymous. Call 1-800-222-TIPS.

**You must call Crime Stoppers with the tip in order to be eligible for the reward!**

(Photos by WCN editor Tracy Record)
FIRST REPORT, 4:50 AM: 1st Avenue South is closed at 112th in Top Hat (map) as King County Sheriff’s Office investigators work to sort out a two-car crash involving a KCSO deputy. TV crews got there before we did, so you’re likely to see live coverage during the morning newscasts; KING 5 reports that both the deputy and the other car’s driver – who they say tried to flee the scene – were taken to Harborview Medical Center. While we were at the scene, investigators from the Major Accident Response and Reconstruction unit were using this SUV for high-speed, sudden-braking investigatory runs:

We hope to get an update on the deputy’s condition a bit later this morning.

5:33 AM UPDATE: Jake Whittenberg from KING reports via Twitter that 1st S. has reopened. The damaged cars were towed around 5.

4:23 PM UPDATE: KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West says the injured deputy is a sergeant, and that he was southbound on 1st Avenue South when the northbound suspect “made an abrupt left turn in front of our sergeant,” who suffered a concussion and cut to the head, and was released from the hospital after treatment including stitches. She confirms the suspect was booked for investigation of vehicular assault, and adds, “Alcohol was involved.”

Thanks to the person who texted our 24-hour number (206-293-6302) to report this – a truck that went through a fence and partway down an embankment kitty-corner from the Shorewood Market at 26th and 106th. A King County Sheriff’s Deputy at the scene told us that nobody was hurt seriously enough to have to go to the hospital; they’re investigating it as a possible hit-and-run.

No major traffic trouble – the tow truck was already there when we arrived, ready to pull out the truck.

We received several reports last night from south Highland Park (West Seattle) as well as North Highline regarding a helicopter in the area for 10-15 minutes. Couldn’t track down the incident last night but did get an answer from King County Sheriff’s Office today – an assault case in the 1300 block of Roxbury, they say. Details here.

He was a familiar face on TV for years as spokesperson for the King County Sheriff’s Office, till he retired a few months back after 23 years with the department. Today, John Urquhart announced he wants to get back into KCSO – at the top. Here’s the announcement and photo he provided:

Today I am announcing I will run for the office of King County Sheriff. It was not a decision made lightly, but made after careful consideration, and with input from of a variety of individuals both inside and outside the Sheriff’s Office, as well as my family.

I have two messages today. The first is for the citizens of King County. The second will be for the nearly 700 deputies in the Sheriff’s Office.

To the citizens:

My campaign for King County Sheriff will be based on leadership and accountability. The Sheriff’s Office is at a crossroads. I don’t want us to go down the road where we run the risk of losing the support of the citizens we serve. If we go down that wrong road, it will not be because our deputies don’t care. It will be because of a lack of leadership within the agency.

The citizens of King County want many things from their Sheriff’s Office. They want a police agency that is tough on crime, but understands you can’t arrest your way out of every problem in society.

They want a Sheriff’s Office that listens to the citizens it serves. Listens to what the citizens are saying about what is important to them, and THEN takes action. They do not want a police agency that has the attitude of “we’re the cops and you’re not!”

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One year after a Top Hat man disappeared, investigators are hoping someone has information on what happened to him. Here’s their news release:

The King County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating a man missing since last year. Benjamin “Ben” Munoz was last seen by his father on April 29, 2011.

King County Sheriff’s Detectives believe Munoz is likely dead and foul play is a definite possibility. There does not appear to be any other reason why he may be missing.

Ben Munoz lived with his father in the 11000 block of 1st Ave SW, in the Top Hat neighborhood of unincorporated King County. On April 29, 2011, his father heard Ben come home about 2:00 AM and go to bed. He saw Ben briefly the next morning before leaving for the day. No one has seen or heard from Ben since. He was unemployed.

Ben is 5’5” tall, 200 lbs with black hair. He has numerous tattoos on his arms and across his shoulders. He did not have a car.

If anyone knows what may have happened to Ben they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 or 9-1-1 (24 hours)

Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS with information. Rewards are offered up to $1,000.

If you see that sign up at a White Center business .. you’ll know it’s decided to cooperate with the new campaign in which King County Sheriff’s Office storefront Deputy BJ Myers is working – with the support of the White Center Chamber of Commerce, White Center Community Development Association, and North Highline Unincorporated Area Council – to crack down on chronic public drunkenness.

First, Deputy Myers worked with three beverage-distribution companies “to identify the problem and draft a ban that specifically targets the products most closely associated with the chronic public intoxication in downtown White Center.” The first phase, now under way, involves beverage reps asking retailers to join the program; Deputy Myers says some already have jumped in: “Over the next couple of weeks I’ll get an idea of which businesses are and aren’t participating.”

The original memo regarding the proposal was distributed at March’s NHUAC meeting; we had it in its entirety here.

1:06 PM: We’ve been checking with the King County Sheriff’s Office about an incident called to our attention by Malo’s Auto Body general manager Brad Truesdell. He e-mailed us to say he had just found out about an attack on a man named Fred – we do not usually use the full names of victims, unless they have given their consent – who he says is well-known on the local streets. Brad says Fred worked at Malo’s some time back and was known as a kind helpful person who now struggles with alcoholism. “When Fred was not drunk, he was always helping people, and the thought of him lying in a hospital dying and nothing being done or said about it really is sad,” Brad wrote.

So here’s what we have found out, from KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West: It apparently happened just south of White Center, in north Burien. She says that around 11 pm last Saturday night (March 31st), in the 1000 block of SW 117th, “A person passing by saw a subject on the ground, bleeding from the face and called the police. … The victim appeared to be severely intoxicated and could not tell us exactly what happened. All he could say was that he was trying to get in his mobile home that was parked at this location when he was attacked from behind by two unknown males. He could not describe the males at all. He had no race, age, height, or clothing description. He said that after the attack they took his wallet and ran off in an unknown direction. The victim said that he never lost consciousness during the attack. He also said that there were no weapons used in the attack. The victim was treated at the scene by aid personnel and later transported to Highline Medical for further treatment. We were not able to locate any independent witnesses. There is no suspect information in this case at this time.”

Brad says he saw Fred in the hospital yesterday and “it was a sad sight to see.” If you have any information on what happened to him, let the King County Sheriff’s Office know – you can call 911.

3:30 PM UPDATE: Sgt. West says at last report, Fred was said to be in serious but stable condition.

King County has a new sheriff – Steve Strachan – appointed today to fill the job until the November election, in the wake of Sheriff Sue Rahr‘s departure. Here’s the official news release:

The Metropolitan King County Council today adopted a motion appointing Steve Strachan to succeed Sue Rahr as King County Sheriff.

Strachan, who was Rahr’s Chief Deputy, became interim Sheriff when Rahr left the Sheriff’s office on March 31 to become director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Under the King County Charter, the Council is responsible for appointing a new Sheriff until the vacancy has been filled at the next general election in November. The Council fulfilled that responsibility today by appointing Strachan.

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King County Sheriff Sue Rahr‘s new job had been reported before – but now that it’s been finalized, something new: She’ll retire as Sheriff at the end of this month. Here’s her announcement:

Today, I have accepted a final offer from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) to become the Director. I plan to retire as Sheriff on March 31 and assume my new duties as Director of the academy on April 1.

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