Dear Community Friends,
When we send out our informational newsletters and alert bulletins, we want to keep you up to date regarding significant events that impact the residents of the South Precinct. We want to give you a complete picture, not just one that scares you, spurs you in to action or pats us on the back. To that end, we wanted to alert you regarding some significant events that occurred over the past 24 hours.
Significant Events
At approximately 10:30pm on Tuesday August 5th, Seattle Police officers responded to call of someone having been shot at Rainier Avenue S. and S. Graham St. Upon arriving to the scene, our officers found a 15-year old victim lying on the sidewalk on the 6300 Block of Rainier Ave S. He had a single gunshot wound to the lower torso. We located witnesses that were with the victim when he was shot.
Although it uncertain what exactly occurred, we believe the victim, who had a known history of gang and criminal involvement, was confronted by a group of individuals as he was walking home with the witnesses. Supposedly nothing was said and there were no warnings. A single shot was fired and struck the victim. The suspects then fled in an unknown direction. The witnesses were running when the shot was fired and, either did not see, or would not tell us what they saw. The 15-year-old victim died as a result of his injuries. The Seattle Police Gang Unit initially responded but turned the scene over to the Homicide Unit.
Later in the evening, just after midnight, a number of calls came in to 911 regarding shots fired in the area of Othello Park. Upon arriving, officers located a victim who had been shot through the upper thigh and a car that he was using for cover had numerous bullet holes in it. Officers learned that the victim and a friend had been at a local convenience store where they saw a group of males starting to assault a woman. The shooting victim apparently knew the assailants. When he and his friend came to the aid of the woman, the males voiced their anger at the intervention. Not long after this confrontation, this same group of males walked by the victim’s residence, stood across the street from his home and fired several shots, striking the victim and the vehicle. The suspects fled. The victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment. Gang Unit detectives processed the crime scene and recovered 45-calibre shell casings and spent rounds.
Night Out 2008
It may seem incongruent to talk about Night Out Against Crime in the face of the tragic incidents mentioned above. But while these tragic incidents were happening, neighbors from all over the city were coming together. There were over 1000 registered Night Out events throughout the city - the most we have seen in the 25-year history of the Night Out Against Crime. The South Precinct area had 115 registered Night Out events – also the most ever had recorded. Police officers and Firefighters appreciated the warm welcome and hospitality as they tried to stop in at as many events as they could. Whether the group was an long-time established block watch, or just got together for the first time, the important thing was seeing neighbors connecting with neighbors and commit to each other to reduce crime and violence in their neighborhoods.
In looking at these and other incidents that happened on the same day as Night Out, neighbors coming together to support each other is more important than ever.
Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
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