White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Flyer says it all – be there Thursday night!

Just listed on our Lost/Found Pets page on West Seattle Blog, which includes White Center listings too, but in case you just read WCN, we’re sharing the announcement here:

Jonathan wrote, “We lost our long-coat Chihuahua called Buffy on March 12th, 2014. She is 3 years old and Brown and Tan in color and about 7 lbs.She ran away from the dog sitter on 6th Ave SW and SW 104th St. in White Center. Our telephone number is 425-381-9526 and people can call 24 hours a day.” In a followup exchange, he told us there was a sighting in the Lakewood Park area on March 19th, but nothing since then.

Spring is here, and that means it’s time to dig in. Mara Bernard, White Center Food Bank garden coordinator, has a message to share:

Just wanting to get the word out again for this year, that community garden beds are available in White Center Heights Park. Anyone interested should contact gardens@whitecenterfoodbank.org to get more information. Signup ends April 9th.

P.S. Check out the White Center Giving Garden Facebook page!

Thanks to Gill for the initial tip that the Guardian One helicopter was out looking for someone/something – moments after we started trying to find out what was going on, we heard on a Seattle city police radio frequency that it was moving over to the West Seattle side of the line, to help look for a possible prowler, reported by someone who also said she heard shots.

According to subsequent discussion, the shots actually had happened on the county side of the line, related to an incident involving a car. There is no word of anyone actually having BEEN shot. Meantime, Guardian One didn’t find any evidence of a prowler, so it moved on.

And now, as we write this, a texter tells us shell casings were found at 28th/104th by sheriff’s deputies who responded quickly after the shots were heard. They, the texter says, were in the area continuing to try to get the word out about the Roxbury rapist from earlier this month. Still no indication of any shooting victim, or damage.

18-year-old Charles Moimoi, suspected of firing the shot that killed 17-year-old Ruben Castillo Jr. in White Center a week ago, is now charged with two gun crimes – but not charged, so far, in connection with the killing. King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe says Moimoi is charged with two counts of unlawful firearm possession – having been convicted of burglary, he’s a felon, and not allowed to possess a gun. His bail is now half a million dollars and he’s scheduled for arraignment on April 9th; the homicide case, Donohoe says, remains under “ongoing investigation.” Court documents reaffirm what we reported on Monday – that he confessed to firing the shot that killed Ruben Castillo – and include other details we’ll add to this report.

ADDED: Court documents say Moimoi was found with a gun in his backpack when arrested two days after the shooting, “similar or the same” to the one fired at the car in which Castillo was riding, killing him, loaded with the same brand of ammunition as casings found at the scene. The day after the shooting, he failed to show up for a court hearing in connection with a burglary case in which he is charged. He also is charged in an attempted burglary, according to court documents, in which he led police on a high-speed chase they “terminated because it became unsafe.” That’s just part of his record, prosecutors say, and it’s their reasoning for requesting the half-million-dollar bail.

Almost Spring Clean time – three dates this year, according to this announcement from Vy Nguyen at the White Center Community Development Association:

The White Center Community Development Association (WCCDA) is gearing up for 2014 Spring Clean events to take place April 12, May 10, and June 7. White Center Spring Clean is an opportunity for volunteers and residents to take part in an annual spruce up of White Center through projects aimed at cleaning up and beautifying the neighborhood.

“Spring Clean is a hands-on way to get involved in making your community, literally, a better place. Whether it’s gardening, graffiti removal, bringing in more art or whatever is identified as a community need: everyone in White Center benefits from having a neighborhood with cleaner and improved spaces to show that people in this community care about where they live and/or run a business,” says White Center CDA’s business district manager, Vy Nguyen. “Spring Cleans are fun and a great way to connect with others that care about community, plus a way to score a free I ‘heart’ White Center t-shirt!”

Spring Clean projects come from the community, as WCCDA supports resident-led action in White Center’s development. Each day will start at the White Center CDA office (605 SW 108th St. Seattle 98146) with a light breakfast before volunteers go to their project assignments. Past projects have included: gardening at various sites around White Center, trash pick-up in White Center’s business district, graffiti removal, as well as painting murals throughout the neighborhood. WCCDA’s Spring Cleans brings in close to 300 volunteers for 20-25 projects each year.

If you have an idea or see a need in the White Center community for a Spring Clean project or if you’d like to volunteer and get involved in the community, register online at: http://bit.ly/1nl9Vy8 or contact Vy Nguyen (vy@wccda.org) or Marquise Roberson (marquise@wccda.org).

King County Sheriff’s Office detectives hope that new sketch will help them find the man who beat and raped a woman just west of White Center, at 26th and Roxbury, on March 7th. Here is the latest from detectives:

On Friday, March 7th, just after midnight the victim was walking eastbound on the south side of Roxbury near 24th Ave. She was approached by a black male who asked her for a cigarette. The victim gave the man a cigarette when he suddenly dragged her to a nearby lot where he punched her repeatedly then sexually assaulted her.

After the assault the man fled, taking the victim’s purse with him. The purse was never located and may have been discarded nearby or possibly given to an associate of the suspect. The purse is very distinctive:

The attacker was described as a younger black male, early 20’s, about 5’9″, medium build, wearing a dark-colored hoodie and jeans. The suspect may have injuries to his hands due to the violent assault on the victim.

If you have information about this man or the missing purse, please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311 (24 hours). You can also be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 and remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Maybe you’ve seen the sign on the old South End Florist – it has a new tenant: PB&J Textiles, which has been in business for more than seven years in West Seattle. Its new storefront at 10728 16th SW will more than double their space. Their offerings include paper printing, banners, promotional products, embroidery, and screen printing, as well as copiers if you need to make quick photocopies. They’re planning to move Friday, April 4th, through Sunday, April 6th, reopening in the new space on Monday, April 7th, and will be tracking the move via Tumblr.

A judge has set bail at $1 million for the 18-year-old SeaTac man arrested Friday in connection with the Wednesday night shooting at 15th/Roxbury that killed 17-year-old Ruben Castillo of Burien. His bail hearing was Saturday; today, we received documents with a bit more information about what hapepned.

The time was listed as 9:51 pm last Wednesday. The victim was in the back seat of a Honda Accord with friends. They stopped at the Roxbury Texaco station. While fueling up, the driver noticed “a group of males” at a bus stop east of the gas station. “The males were looking at him and he commented to his friends in the car, including (the victim).” The report does not say what was “commented,” but goes on to say, the driver got back into the car and drove out, northbound on 15th and then east on Roxbury, “with intent to go to Alki.”

As the car passed the suspect at the bus stop, the suspect, the report says, “pulled a 9mm pistol from his back pocket, loaded a magazine, and fired three rounds at the vehicle as it drove away eastbound. One round passed through the tail light and trunk and through the seat back of the passenger-side back seat, and into (the victim’s) back.” Mr. Castillo realized he had been shot, and “began to scream”; his friend drove to the North Highline Fire District station, a mile or so away, “where medical aid was rendered” until the victim was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, where, the report says, he died in surgery. The report says the suspect admitted he “had the gun and fired the shot” that proved deadly; it also mentions the burglary case we noted in our story on the arrest, and a $25,000 warrant related to it, and the attached police report notes his tattoos, one of which is a well-known regional gang name. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has until Wednesday to file charges.

Less than two weeks until the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council presents a forum you won’t want to miss. The announcement shared by president Barbara Dobkin:

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council invites you to a Community Forum:

BUILDING EQUITY & OPPORTUNITY

What does it mean for North Highline and White Center? What is King County doing about it?

Please plan on joining us for this informative and important conversation with our guest speakers:

Matias Valenzuela:
Coordinator of King County’s Equity and Social Justice Initiative

Adrienne Quinn:
Director of King County’s Community and Human Services Department

Joe McDermott
King County Council District 8 Representative

White Center Storefront Deputy BJ Myers will also be on hand to discuss issues related to crime updates and trends in the community.

When: Thursday, April 3 at 7 pm
Where: North Highline Fire Station (1243 112th Street SW)

COMMUNITY MATTERS: BE INFORMED, BE INVOLVED, BE HEARD

see our website: northhighlineuac.org
like us on facebook: North Highline Unincorporated Area Council

(UPDATED 7:11 PM with top finishers, now that results are online)

(WCN photos by Patrick Sand)
FIRST REPORT, 10:57 AM: Hundreds of people showed themselves to be superheroes this morning – the theme of the second annual White Center 5K Run/Walk, a benefit for three local nonprofits. Our next photo features the executive directors of two – Sili Savusa from the WC Community Development Association and Rick Jump from the WC Food Bank:

Also getting a boost from the 5K, the YES Foundation of White Center. Costumes were encouraged, and more than a few participants got into the spirit:

Leading the pre-5K warmup, White Center’s own fitness superhero, Lonjina Verdugo of The Center Studio:

Watch for results here, later.

UPDATED 7:11 PM: The results are now posted. Of the 283 listed finishers, the top male finisher was Steven Colmus in 19:21; top female finisher, Lydia Ngai in 21:49.

Even if you’re not already registered, you can sign up starting at 8 am to be part of the second annual White Center 5K this morning – just get yourself to White Center Heights Park (7th SW & SW 102nd). Though online registration is over, you can scroll down this page for all the 5K information; runners start at 9 am (when results are available, they’ll be online here), walkers at 9:10. Proceeds benefit the White Center Food Bank, the White Center Community Development Association, and the YES Foundation of White Center.

(Wednesday night WCN photo)
10:30 PM: Just in from the King County Sheriff’s Office:

At about 3:40 P.M. on March 21st, King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes detectives arrested an 18-year-old Seatac man in connection with the shooting death of a 17 year old in White Center on March 19, 2014. The detectives are not seeking any other suspects; however, they are encouraging additional witnesses of the shooting to come forward and contact the King County Sheriff’s Office by calling (206) 296-3311.

ADDED 11:20 PM: Court and jail records show the suspect spent five days in the King County Jail last December for investigation of burglary; it appears burglary charges were filed last month. We won’t be able to get details of that case until tomorrow, as the online court records are offline for several hours this time each night.

ADDED 9:04 AM SATURDAY: Court records are available now, and they show the suspect was awaiting trial after being charged in February with an October burglary in the 12200 block of 14th S. in Burien. The court documents say his prints were found at the scene, and that he had a record with a burglary charge while he was still a juvenile (he turned 18 last July), as well as a pending theft case from earlier this year.

Friends of the 17-year-old Burien boy shot and killed in White Center last night gathered tonight to remember him.

He was hit and killed by a bullet fired at the back of the car in which he was riding, according to investigators. No word of an arrest yet. Crimestoppers is offering a reward – reach them at 800-222-TIPS.

11:13 PM: We’re checking on the investigation that has SW Roxbury closed around 15th SW, according to a reader tip. King County Sheriff’s deputies are on the scene along with other law enforcers. Seattle Police had been investigating a report of shots fired on the city side an hour or so but there was no word of a victim. More as we get it.

11:29 PM: KING 5 reports one person was shot and is at Harborview.

12:13 AM: Just back from the scene. Roxbury is closed between 14th and 15th; deputies are in the street, looking for evidence. They confirm one person was shot.

No other official information so far.

5:48 AM: KING is now reporting that a 17-year-old boy was killed.

7:10 AM: KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West confirms this, saying that so far, it appears there was “some type of verbal altercation between a group of pedestrians and a group of males in a vehicle near Bartell’s at 15th/Roxbury. The suspect was with the group on foot. He fired rounds at the vehicle as it drove away. One round went through the car and struck a rear passenger. This 17 year-old victim later died at Harborview.”

11:11 AM: The full news release from KCSO:

A 17 year old Burien teen was shot and killed last night in White Center.

Police responded to the North Highline Fire Station in the 1200 block of SW 112th last night just after 10pm to a report of a teen shot in the back. When police arrived they learned that the victim and 3 others had been getting gas at a station near SW Roxbury and 15 Ave SW when they exchanged words with a group at a nearby bus stop.

As the group drove by the men near the bus stop one of the men opened fire, striking the vehicle and hitting the victim, who was seated in the rear passenger seat. The driver of the vehicle drove to the fire station to seek aid for the injured teen.

The victim, a Burien resident, was transported to Harborview Hospital where he died from his injuries. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6′, and was last seen wearing a gray hoodie.

If you have information about this crime please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or you may remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-(800) 222-TIPS (8477)

10:35 PM: Thanks to Gill for the original tip on a helicopter search in the White Center/Highland Park vicinity. We kept getting texts from people on the Seattle side of the line and couldn’t find the helicopter for quite some time, until finally spotting Guardian One over the west side of Greenbridge around 9:30 pm. Found a sheriff’s deputy on the ground who told us they were looking for someone believed to be a suspect in an armed robbery at a produce stand earlier. We don’t know which produce stand – drove around looking through the business district to see if we might find any KCSO units on the ground to ask – will have to follow up on that tomorrow. Apologies for the lag in reporting here – we were able to publish to WSB via the smartphone but not here (usually isn’t a problem). We did tweet to the WCN Twitter account, which you can always check in times of breaking news – twitter.com/whitecenternow.

10:44 PM UPDATE: The Guardian One team just tweeted that the suspect they were seeking was not found. Description: “… male … about 5’9″, wearing a red hoody, blue jeans, wearing a black beanie.”

ADDED 9:36 AM WEDNESDAY: Here’s what KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West tells us: “(Last night) at about 8:40 pm at the Best Roasted Corn Stand on the corner of SW 98th and 15 Av Sw: A male suspect walked up to the stand, displayed a handgun and demanded money. The suspect also demanded the employees cell phone. The suspect fled on foot. The suspect spoke to the victim in Spanish. He was described as a Hispanic male, skinny, about 5’8″ tall, mid 40’s and was wearing a red sweatshirt, blue jeans and a black beanie. The victim has seen him in the area before.”

Thanks again to White Center Heights Elementary PTA president David Sonsteng for the alert about the WCH kindergarteners’ big day today – Emergency Services Day. The weather was perfect for them to meet their visitors outside – above, the North Highline Fire District; below, the King County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit and its famous helicopter Guardian One:

Listen to the excitement in our video clip recorded as the helicopter approached and landed:

Also on hand – an American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance crew. If public-safety crews respond to an injury/illness situation that is not necessarily serious enough to require a medic unit, the private ambulance crews of AMR are called in.

This was part of a “community helpers” module the kindergarteners were working on, Sonsteng explained. First graders were part of the event too.

One more reminde – as first noted here last week, White Center Heights Elementary is due for a special visit by the King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Guardian One around 1:25 this afternoon, as part of a special project kindergarteners have been working on. The North Highline Fire Department will be there too. WC Heights is at 6th SW and SW 100th.

We don’t usually get early warning when the King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Guardian One heads this way, but this time we do! Next Thursday afternoon (March 13), you just might notice it over Greenbridge/south White Center. White Center Heights Elementary PTA president David Sonsteng sent early warning of the plan for a visit at the school. Kindergarteners are “working on their community-helpers module in class,” he explains, so Thursday, 1:25 pm-2:25 pm, they will “get to meet some of these community helpers.” In addition to Guardian One, they’re scheduled to meet KCSO Deputy BJ Myers (who’s based out of the downtown WC storefront office), a fire engine from the North Highline Fire District, and an ambulance from AMR. We’ll remind you again that day, but if you might be anywhere near the area, store away the info. (The school is at 10015 6th SW.)

A memorial and reception are planned in White Center on March 15th for Robert “Bob” McCoy, who died this week at age 81:

Robert “Bob” McCoy passed away March 3, 2014, with his family by his side.

Bob was a resident of West Seattle for 50-plus years. He started his career at Forest Lawn Funeral Home in 1964 and retired in 1998. He was a member of the White Center Eagles.

Bob was born February 2, 1933, in Seattle, to Harold and Jessie McCoy. He was raised in Kent and attended Kent Meridian High School. He is survived by his wife Ilene of 60 years, daughter Debra and her husband Joe Ruskamp, daughter Linda and her husband Michael McGee, daughter Barbara, son John, and daughter Pam and her husband Cary Hood, 10 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and his brother Jack McCoy of Vancouver, Washington. He was preceded in death by his sister Helen and his brother Phillip.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 15th, 1:00 pm at Yarington’s/White Center Funeral Home, 10708 16th Ave SW. Reception follows, 2:30-4:30 pm at the White Center Eagles, 10452 15th Ave SW.