White Center Now: The blog about White Center

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.

A chance for you to have a say:

The White Center Community Development Association is working with the North Highline community to review and prioritize the community’s input on needs and interests in the North Highline subarea. Please consider taking this survey developed by the WCCDA.

The information gathered will help King County Local Services complete a subarea plan and community needs list for North Highline. Learn more about these two initiatives

Big Night Out party on 20th SW – thanks to Gill Loring for the photos! King County Sheriff’s Deputies showed up, as did North Highline firefighters:

Here’s host Ron getting ready to feed attendees:

And here’s how the night ended:

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.

Set your calendar:

Almost a month have passed since the arson that tore through part of the heart of downtown White Center. Businesses are still working to get back open, some in new locations. Today (graphic via @WhiteCenterPride) there’s word of a big party in four weeks to help – be there!

Next Tuesday (August 3rd) is Night Out, coast to coast, and here in White Center, King County Parks is hosting two events for the whole family that night, both 5-7 pm – one at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd) and one at Dick Thurnau Memorial Park (11050 10th SW).

(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.

Beautiful weather for a bike ride – and the next Peace Peloton ride will take you from Columbia City to White Center on Saturday!

Just in – this announcement of a vaccination event noon-6 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, July 28th) at Steve Cox Memorial Park:

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

If you ride Metro – occasionally or often – but haven’t yet answered its safety survey, today’s your last chance. The survey is part of what Metro calls its SaFE Reform Initiative – safety, security, and fare-enforcement reform. The survey is available here in 13 languages. You don’t have to answer all the questions – you’re allowed to skip any you don’t want to answer. Once Metro comes up with recommended reforms, pilot programs will launch next year.

3;59 PM: If you’re wondering what’s going on at Saar’s: Shoppers and staff were evacuated because deputies are dealing with a person in crisis. That’s all we know so far; we’re monitoring the situation.

5:09 PM: Not resolved yet. The person was armed with a knife, which is why the response is sizable.

5:33 PM: Deputies have the person, a 31-year-old man, in custody.

Heads up – SW Roxbury will be repaved between 24th SW and 25th SW this week, with King County Road Services and the Seattle Department of Transportation partnering on the project. The work is planned Monday-Tuesday, 7 am-4 pm. The alert says that “traffic will be reduced to one lane with crew members directing drivers.” Also: “For people walking, rolling, and biking in the area, sidewalk access will be maintained.”

Thanks to Gill Loring for the photos. Family and friends gathered in the Taradise Café parking lot this afternoon to remember the café’s founder, Tara Eckman Scott, who died last week at 51.

The celebration was still going strong after more than an hour. Those in attendance knew her not only from her White Center café but also from her days at West Seattle’s gone-but-not-forgotten Charlestown Café.

MONDAY REPORT: Tara Scott, proprietor of White Center’s Taradise Café, has died at age 51. After a reader tip, we found confirmation via this social-media post from one of her sons, Ohio State football player Gee Scott Jr. He wrote that “the woman whose smile lights up any room she’s in … who taught me what it is to unconditionally love … that brought me into this world” died this morning. Ms. Scott, a West Seattle resident, opened her restaurant five and a half years ago. It ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: A tribute to Ms. Scott is growing outside the Taradise Café:

The note on the bricks expresses gratitude and asks that people not leave candles, saying another memorial will be announced soon,

TUESDAY EVENING: The family has announced a Celebration of Life for 4 pm Saturday in the Taradise Café parking lot.

If you haven’t been yet – the White Center Library (1409 SW 107th) has reopened. New hours are 1-8 pm Wednesdays, 10 am-5 pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, closed Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. KCLS notes, “Services will be modified at first and will expand over time” – not just at the WC Library, but at its other reopening branches. Here’s more about the way things are working at reopened libraries, for now.

(WCN photo, Friday)

Sunday at noon at Greenbridge Plaza, all are invited – here’s the announcement:

This event is being organized by The Boxing Gym Westside. It is meant to be an opportunity for everyone in the White Center community to come together in a spirit of love and healing. A space where we can grieve the loss of the spaces we have held so dear by celebrating them and looking forward.

There will be live drumming with Otoqui Reyes of Hijos de Agueybana as well as other local artists.

**This is a free event**

The Boxing Gym Westside is organizing this event, but please feel free to check the list below for ways that you can contribute to whichever of the businesses speak to your heart.

Please do not let an inability or lack of desire to make a donation keep you from joining us.

This is a casual gathering with no bathrooms provided. Please account for that and also consider that we will be in a neighborhood with many homes surrounding the space – let’s be mindful of the energy we are bringing into that space and let’s also be sure to clean up after ourselves.

Additionally, have a mask handy and please plan to follow all state guidelines for masking, etc.

Ways to donate via crowdfunding:

*Here’s one for the Boxing Gym
*Here’s one for staff of the affected businesses
*Here’s one for Nuggi, the boba-tea shop that was opening soon
*Here’s one for La Tipica Oaxaqueña
*Here’s one for Dottie’s Doublewide (for new owners who were preparing to reopen)
*Here’s one for John’s Hair and Nails
*Here’s one for Rat City Tattoo

6:08 PM: King County Sheriff’s Deputies are blocking off 16th SW in White Center south of Roxbury after a report of a crash and possible gas leak at 16th/98th. Updates to come.

6:24 PM: Deputies have just told dispatch “the gas is off” but the closure will continue for a little while until Puget Sound Energy arrives. Our crew is now there, and a fire captain tells us they’re talking with nearby businesses to get them to “air out” as the leaked gas dissipates.

6:41 PM: Added a photo of the car that hit the gas line on the north side of Beer Star’s building.

6:50 PM: Deputies just told dispatch that all but the 16th/98th intersection can reopen; cleanup there will take a while longer. Businesses will be reopening too.

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

(WCN/WSB photo, Monday)

Thanks for the tips. We’ve confirmed with the King County Sheriff’s Office that the fire which gutted the LumberYard Bar and seven other businesses in downtown White Center early Monday is now being investigated as arson. Though the original tentative determination was that it was likely accidental, KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Tim Meyer tells WCN that they received “new evidence” that led investigators to “reclassify it as arson.” Though the LumberYard has posted on social media that “This most likely is also a hate crime,” Sgt. Meyer would not speculate on a potential motive. Anyone with any information should contact KCSO.

We just went over to the fire scene to see if we could find out more; no one’s around, but we did photograph the signs asking for tips – 800-55-ARSON. That’s reiterated in this statement just sent by the White Center Pride Committee:

The White Center Pride Committee is deeply disturbed and saddened to learn that the fire at The Lumberyard Bar on July 5th has reportedly been reclassified from an electrical fire to arson. The possibility of this being a hate crime targeted at an LGBTQI+ gathering space is also being investigated. Not only was The Lumberyard Bar destroyed, but also 7 other businesses, many of which were minority owned.

We will continue to stand with all of the businesses and individuals that were impacted by this horrible act. Our community is strong and will never back down in the face of adversity. We implore anyone with information to reach out to the King County Sheriff’s Office with any information at 206-263-2070 or 1-800-55-ARSON.

The fire broke out after 1 am on Monday. No injuries were reported. But along with the LumberYard, it devastated neighboring businesses The Boxing Gym, La Tipica Oaxaqueña, John’s Hair and Nails, Rat City Tattoo, Nuggi (which was soon to open), and Dottie’s Doublewide (which was getting ready to reopen)

Applications are open for a King County program to help small-business owners in unincorporated areas including North Highline. From the announcement:

As part of King County’s initiative to help our region recover from the pandemic, the King County Council has dedicated $4.5 million to help small business owners in unincorporated areas.

The application period opened Wednesday, July 7 and closes Wednesday, Aug. 4. Small business owners can apply online at kingcounty.gov/localbusinesshelp or by calling 206-477-3800 beginning today.

King County Local Services will administer this new grant program, which is open to businesses with 30 or fewer employees and $3 million or less in annual gross income.

Owners who receive grants will be reimbursed for business-related expenses incurred since March 3, 2021. Reimbursable expenses include rent, payroll, business utilities, goods and services, and COVID-19 accommodation costs.

This program is specifically intended to help small businesses, as was the county’s first round of grants offered last year. Through that earlier program, more than 571 businesses received or are in the process of receiving up to $5,000 each from King County Local Services, for a total of nearly $3 million.

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