SPD Blotter » East Precinct

Armed Robber being sought

SPD Media Relations — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:57:33 +0000

On 7/8/09, at approximately 2:18 a.m., an officer was driving northbound on 10 Av E., when he was flagged down by the victim. The victim was screaming and pointing at the suspect who was running east on E. Highland Dr. The officer followed the suspect and engaged in a foot pursuit. According to the victim, the suspect confronted her and demanded her property at 10 Av E. and E. Hightland Dr. The suspect pulled a knife and cut the victim’s purse straps. A struggle ensued and the victim fell to the ground at which point the suspect cut her once on the wrist. When the suspect saw the police car, he fled on foot. A K-9 unit attempted a track but did not locate the suspect. All of the victim’s property was located and returned to her. The victim sustained a minor cut to her right wrist and slight bruising to her head. She was treated on scene by Seattle Fire Personnel and transported to an area hospital as a precaution. The suspect is described as a black male, 6′ tall, short hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants.

Officer-involved shooting in the Central District

Media Relations — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:20:10 +0000

On July 6th at approximately 5:16 p.m. East Precinct Officers were on patrol in a two-officer, marked patrol car and observed a white Lexus 4-door sedan with license plates that didn’t match the vehicle. The Lexus was parked in a lot on the southwest corner of 20th Avenue South and South Jackson Street occupied by four male suspects.

Both officers exited their patrol car and contacted the suspects, who were uncooperative and refused to obey the officers’ commands. The driver deliberately tried to run over the officers as he affected his escape. One officer fired multiple rounds at the driver.

The driver continued to flee the scene by driving westbound on South Jackson Street. In the 1800 block of South Jackson Street, all four of the suspects jumped from the Lexus and attempted to flee on foot. One of the suspects dropped a loaded handgun in the street. The unoccupied Lexus continued to travel westbound down South Jackson Street.

A responding officer saw this moving hazard and stopped the Lexus by blocking it with his patrol car, causing the two cars to collide head-on. The officer involved in the collision sustained minor injuries. He was treated and released at the scene by SFD Medics. No other officers were injured during this incident.

Responding officers apprehended three of the fleeing suspects near the collision scene. One suspect was injured in the incident. That suspect sustained a minor hand injury and was transported to Harborview Medical Center. We believe the hand injury was caused by a gunshot wound. One suspect remains at large.

The officer who fired his service weapon has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting.

Homicide and CSI Detectives responded to investigate and process the scene, common practice in an officer-involved shooting. A Firearms Review Board will be convened in the coming weeks to determine whether or not the shooting was within Department policy.

All three in-custody suspects will be booked for Investigation of Assault on an Officer. This remains an active and on-going investigation.

Shooting in Central District

Media Relations — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:45:49 +0000

On July 5th, shortly before 7:00 p.m., East Precinct officers responded to a call of “shots fired” in front of the Garfield Community Center at 23rd Avenue and Cherry Street. Two victims, a 25-year old male and a 16-year old female, were standing on the steps of the community center when they were shot by unknown males from an unknown green SUV. The suspect vehicle was last seen driving westbound on Cherry Street. Both victims have non life-threatening injuries and were transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment. The Gang Unit is conducting the follow up investigation.

Shots fired in South Seattle, one man struck

Media Relations — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:30:02 +0000

On July 5th at approximately 12:50 a.m., East Precinct officers were dispatched to Swedish Hospital to investigate a gun shot wound. They spoke with the victim and he said he was at a house party near 46th and Othello. According to the victim, he heard a lot of fireworks outside so he came out to the front yard to check things out. He was then struck in the buttocks with a single random shot. He went back into the party, talked to his cousin and they went to Swedish fort medical treatment. His injuries are non-life threatening.

Around the time of the shooting South Precinct officers were dispatched to a residence in the 7100 Block of 45th Avenue South to investigate a loud party with lots of kids in attendance. Officers found the party, spoke with the homeowner, and assisted her in clearing out the kids until only 15-20 was left. The homeowner and kids were compliant and no one mentioned any injuries or shooting.

When South Precinct units were notified of the shooting they went back out to the address with East Precinct Anti-Crime Team officers to look for a crime scene. None was found and again the homeowner was helpful.

It appears this was a random incident and the shot wasn’t intended for the victim and may have not even come from the area.

Burglar arrested on Capitol Hill

Media Relations — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:56:48 +0000

On June 25th at approximately 1:45 a.m., East Precinct officers responded to a call of a burglary in progress in the 900 Block of East Pine Street. The call indicated that the suspect was being chased by employees of the business that had been broken into. Officers quickly arrived and arrested the suspect. The suspect was positively identified by witnesses. The 29-year old male suspect was later booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Burglary.

First responders recognized for efforts in December bus crash

Media Relations — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:50:16 +0000

On June 24th, in a small ceremony inside Seattle Fire Station 25, members of the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Fire Department, Washington State Patrol and others were honored for their actions surrounding the December 19th, 2008 bus crash on Capitol Hill. On that day, two buses with members of the Columbia Basin Job Corps aboard crashed through a guardrail on Melrose Avenue East. The buses were then hanging approximately 20-30 feet above Interstate 5. This could have been a tragic event with even more injuries, if not for the actions of law enforcement and fire, and the members of the Job Corps themselves. Representatives of the Columbia Basin Job Corps presented the first responders with a plaque to express their gratitude.

Vehicle/pedestrian collision with injuries in International District

Media Relations — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:04:58 +0000

On June 17th at approximately 10:34 a.m., officers responded to a call of an 81-year old male who was crossing South Jackson Street at 12th Avenue South when he was struck by GMC delivery truck travelling westbound on South Jackson. The pedestrian has life-threatening injuries and was transported to Harborview Medical Center by Seattle Fire Department. The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad responded to the scene and has responsibility for the investigation. There were no signs of impairment or intoxication on the part of the truck driver.

Officer Assault-suspect arrested

SPD Media Relations — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:56:26 +0000

On 06/16/09, at approximately 5:47 p.m., officers were working off-duty at a Middle School, in the 300 block of 21^st Ave. E., during the school’s graduation exercise.

These officers observed a female at the school, who had been trespassed. As the officers began to contact the female suspect, a disturbance broke out with other subjects attempting to interfere with the arrest. Multiple officers responded to assist. A 2^nd suspect, was subsequently arrested for assaulting one of the officers.

A third female jumped on the back of one of the patrol vehicles as the officer began driving from the scene with an arrestee secured in the back. This female got off the car and fled when ordered off. Officers were not able to detain or identify the individual because of the large crowd continuing to cause a disturbance at the school.

Suspect 1, a 16-year-old female was declined by Youth Service Center. Officers requested she be charged with Trespass and Disruption of School Activities. She was released into the custody of her parents.

Suspect 2, a 14-year-old female was booked into Youth Service Center for Investigation of Assault.

On-duty officers posted at the school until the conclusion of the event.

Vehicle/pedestrian accident on Capitol Hill

Media Relations — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:03:16 +0000

On June 15th at approximately 2:30 p.m., officers responded to a call of a car/pedestrian collision at 17th Avenue East and East Republican Street. An 89-year old man was driving southbound on 17th Avenue East, approaching East Republican. That intersection is a 90 degree turn only westbound, which becomes East Republican Street. A 90-year old man was walking across East Republican Street from south to north in the unmarked crosswalk just west of the 90-degree turn from 17th when he was struck by the car. The Seattle Fire Department responded to the scene and transported the 90-year old pedestrian to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening head injury and possible other fractures. Seattle Police officers and Traffic Collision Investigators responded and investigated. There were no signs of any impairment or intoxication on the part of the driver. The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad will conduct the investigation.

Suspect at large after robbery, burglary

Media Relations — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:35:59 +0000

On June 12 at approximately 7:46 p.m. officers responded to a 911 call of a domestic violence disturbance at Pratt Park. Investigation indicates that the 27-year-old male suspect approached his ex-girlfriend and threatened her and stole her cell phone. The suspect also attempted to pay bystanders to beat up the victim. The suspect was last seen heading toward some apartments in the 1800 block of Yesler Way.

Officers conducted an area search and saw the suspect exiting the apartment complex. When the suspect saw officers he fled back into the complex. Officers pursued him and the suspect forced his way into a ground floor apartment and ran up the stairs to the second floor. The suspect was believed to be armed with a handgun. Officers backed out of the apartment and surrounded it. Additional on-duty patrol and SWAT officers responded to the scene. Negotiators attempted to contact the suspect to no avail.

SWAT officers made entry into the apartment and determined the suspect was not there. It appears the suspect may have jumped from a second floor window and fled the scene before the apartment was surrounded by officers. The suspect remains at large at this time. The victim, a female in her 20’s, was not injured.