posted 11/29/09 09:36 PM | updated 11/29/09 10:00 PM
Featured Post! | Views: 28579 | Comments : 124 | Crime

SWAT Stand-off in Leschi

Photo from Leschi via jseattle

Seattle Crime says it might be related to the Pierce County shootings:

SWAT officers have surrounded a home in the Leschi neighborhood and are apparently looking for the person of interest sought in connection with this morning's shooting in Parkland.

The home is on E Superior Street and Erie Avenue.

K9 and negotiator units are on scene.

Seattle police spokesman Sean Whitcomb would only say the SWAT call out "may be" related to the murder of four officers in Parkland this morning. The registered owner of the home shares a last name of the person of interest in the shooting, Maurice Clemmons.

jseattle is on the way to the scene. We'll update this as we learn more.

Update: According to scanner traffic, the suspect involved here is wounded and armed. Anyone in the area of the stand-off should stay in their homes and away from windows.

Tags: SWAT, Stand-off
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Listening to the helicopters overhead.
Total 6 cop cars when by on MLK. Imagine you can double/triple that from all direction?
Comment by doublejosh
November 29, 2009
a couple blocks from Monfort's traffic stop?
I'm no conspiracy theorist, but all this is adding up to a bit too much for pure coincidence
Comment by asteele
November 29, 2009
RE: a couple blocks from Monfort's traffic stop?
What's the coincidence?
Comment by scared
November 29, 2009
RE: a couple blocks from Monfort's traffic stop?
Monfort is the suspect whose dna was left at both the Charles St fire-bombings and at the scene of the murder of Officer Brenton. Monfort's traffic stop was near the 29th & Yesler shooting of Brenton. Tonight's standoff is a few blocks east.
Comment by Resident
November 29, 2009
RE: a couple blocks from Monfort's traffic stop?
I'm with asteele-- there definitely seems to be connections here:
http://seattle.everyblock.com/announcements/by-date/2009/11/
Comment by Dan O'Neil
November 30, 2009
Question
What is the coincidence?
Comment by Laura Conway
November 29, 2009
RE: Question
see above
Comment by Resident
November 29, 2009
Helicpter
We can see and hear the news helicopter from our house, and I am afraid that if the Police had thought to surprise someone, the helicopter certainly appears to have prevented that. Hopefully all are safe!
Comment by Linda
November 29, 2009
Helicopters need to go away!!!
...
Comment by damn
November 29, 2009
RE: Helicopters need to go away!!!
um - you'd prefer that we allow crazed gunmen to run our streets unchecked....
Comment by better safe than sorry
November 29, 2009
RE: Helicopters need to go away!!!
um...the police had asked the helicopters to leave...
Comment by um...the police had asked the helicopters to leave...
November 29, 2009
RE: Helicopters need to go away!!!
yeah - the *news* helicopters, but the police helicopters need to be here. The police wanted the news helicopters out of the way.
Comment by better safe than sorry
November 29, 2009
Wrong address?
Just wondering what other people have found? Seattle Times is reporting it is a house on 30th ave s and E Yesler while Scott seems to indicate it is closer to the water. Also, it looks like the police have several operations going on. Other locations metioned were Queen Anne and Renton.
Comment by Leschi Neighbor
November 29, 2009
RE: Wrong address?
E Yesler turns into Lake Dell and then into Alder, which then connects to Lake Washington.
Comment by SU Student
November 30, 2009
huh?
don't bother calling 911 if you hear what sounds like gunshots" has to be some of the worst advice I've ever heard.
Comment by js
November 29, 2009
RE: huh?
SWAT operations often include several tactics which include explosions and firings sounding like gunshots and sometimes small bombs--sadly, some of the recent summer/fall activity in the neighborhood has taught us that. I think the advice about not calling 911 is NOT intended prevent people from reporting suspicious activity, but for people that live in the immediate vicinity of the SWAT activity. Calling 911 on that known activity (especially when you have several officers on the street right there) can potentially block the lines for actual emergencies that aren't already being attended to.
Comment by yeslergal
November 29, 2009
Make them show the public the goods,GB.... the familys,really GB the kids
I hope the media does it's job, please press for the Whole story, did this happen because of tainted police work,hope they didn't Monfort, lack of trust in the system?? etc..
Comment by Jimmy P
November 29, 2009
resubmitted, Media
I hope the media does it's job, please press for the Whole story, did this happen because of tainted police work,hope they didn't rule out Monfort is connected , lack of trust in the system?? etc..
Comment by jimmy P
November 29, 2009
Thanks for working late, Scott.
Great coverage. Much appreciated
Comment by fooop
November 29, 2009
thanks
in LA on a "work" vacation and heard from friends via e-mail and facebook about the commotion in the neighborhood. Been glued to the CD News for an hour. Good work. Thanks.
Comment by d
November 29, 2009
Agree with Bo Peck & foop
Thank you for the coverage, you've got a lot more info than the news, and we really appreciate it. Also, agree with our new neighbors - We moved here in May, and these last two incidents are unnerving, but we still think this is a pretty great place to live.
Comment by Dorkey
November 29, 2009
live
is there any live video feed online anywhere?
Comment by jpmtru
November 29, 2009
Helicopters
Where did the choppers go?
Comment by Gotti
November 29, 2009
RE: Helicopters
I've been hearing helicopters for 10-15 min. I'm a distance away though - edge of First Hill/Capitol Hill. Maybe they've been told to leave?
Comment by AP
November 29, 2009
RE: Helicopters
The news is over. No more live broadcast for the night.
Comment by Seatim
November 29, 2009
RE: Helicopters
12:05, from 32nd and Cherry. I still hear a single chopper circling - glad they're hear and appreciate their efforts.
Comment by Pablo
November 30, 2009
Good coverage
This is another reminder that small independent neighborhood news sites add more value then mainstream media. Thanks for being on the ground and trying to get out as much info as possible. Our neighborhood is going to splashed all over the news tomorrow in a negative fashion again. It's just an unfortunate coincidence that our neighborhood is facing right now. We need to stick together and somehow figure out a way to bring some positive vibes to the community. CD News can continue to help by publishing more of it's positive stories.
Comment by Leschi neighbor
November 29, 2009
We hear the choppers in Mt Baker
Think the choppers are south of Leshi in Mt Baker
Comment by Anon
November 29, 2009
Media-Heli
The state of Washington has some intense media policys as to limiting what can and can not be shot... If this was anywhere else the live truck would be parked 20 feet from the house.... When did spd officers get the authority to block airspace ? I thought that had to come through federal channel. The media freeze out is plain scary.... I understand tactical concern but they could simply cut cable and power... that is what they do where I am from.
Comment by Mattt
November 29, 2009
RE: Media-Heli
Could it be concern of sharing airspace with the police chopper?
Comment by AP
November 30, 2009
RE: Media-Heli
The FAA called SPD and asked what kind of air perimeter they wanted enforced, so there's no jurisdictional issue.

There's a big safety issue for the news copters too. There's been a couple of recent incidents where they've run into eachother as they circle a crime scene.
Comment by scott
November 30, 2009
RE: Media-Heli
Are they limiting what can be shot? Or limiting the area from which to shoot from?
It's the crazy tactics that certain media outlets will take to get the advantage, that is what's plain scary to me...
From The Seattle Times,
"Earlier in the day, Troyer said a KING-5 TV helicopter was interfering with "tactical operations" of police investigating the shootings, slowing down the search for suspects. The pilot had been asked to leave and refused, but KING apparently called off the helicopter."
Comment by McMullet
November 30, 2009
RE: Media-Heli
The other consideration is the noise factor. Not all police officers have earbuds. Having a chopper too close completely drowns out radio transmissions; compromising officer safety as well as tactics.
Comment by eyes open
November 30, 2009
RE: Media abuses ( KIRO 7 and Helicopter )
Our Police Officers are attempting to catch a proven violent person, they know that he is stalking them, and that he has no respect for life. Then we get these News sourses attempting to scoop a story while possibly adding danger to the Police Officers and to the rest of us. The noise of the helicopter made it hard to hear anything blocks away, let alone hear if another Officer was attempting to communicate on site. If the Police were blocking access to an area, it certainly was for a reason of safety, and all of us needed to support this, and not require them to split their attention to keep the news media back out of the potential danger zone. Why would a channel 7 news van attempt twice to sneak past a road block? The Officers had to stop their current activity to remind the news crew that there was a violent, gun toating person possibly sneaking around, and they ( channel 7 news crew ), needed to move back out of suspected danger zone. This is not a constitional issue, it is a basic duty of our Police Officers to protect us from preceived danger, and the fact that these Officers had to split their attention between a suspected danger in front of them, to prevent the News crews possibly getting in danger, is really sad. Why add to the Officers problems, give them a break!
Comment by David
November 30, 2009
Copters
I was on my roof about an hour ago and swear there was a near air collison between a copter and a low flying plane. Maybe it was just a poor perspective but did did make me gasp for a moment. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some kind of air violation.
Comment by D
November 30, 2009
Media
Too often the media gets in the way. I support the police getting them out of the way. In a way they are often like paparrazi. They get themselves into the story rather than just being silent observers. Honestly though, I wish the police would use this much effort to catch all murderers and rapists.
Comment by Rachel
November 30, 2009
Copters
I saw the helicopter go under the plane. It was close but not a near miss. Bet it was a media helicopter going north to Leshi
Comment by Anon
November 30, 2009
thanks
Just wanted to drop a thank-you to those who are out there giving us updates. It's kind of spooky knowing 'something' is going on outside, listening to the choppers fly by. It's nice knowing if I ever want to know what's going on, you guys are 3 steps ahead of me and already have the info. THANKS!!

Good luck to the officers out there. I hope they get the guy(s) in question.
Comment by Nichole
November 30, 2009
thanks!
really appreciate the coverage on this site as I was walking in my neighborhood tonight right by many police cars--then realized I've been hearing helicopter noises for some time and checked out this site I recently learned about after the previous shooting.

echoing earlier comments--the previous shooting @ 30th & Yesler [few blks from my house] brought about a desire to meet my neighbors, assist in organizing a neighborhood coalition, etc. I love this neighborhood & would like to participate in activities where we meet one another and add to the positive vibes that already exist.

Does safety increase when neighbors know one another & are visible & present on our sidewalks, in our yards, etc...?
Comment by SK
November 30, 2009
RE: thanks!
absolutely yes
Comment by Resident
November 30, 2009
Two medic Units just called to scene...
Could be something just happened -- or is about to...
Comment by Who Me?
November 30, 2009
RE: Two medic Units just called to scene...
You are right -- the follow up from dispatch was for them just to report to the post, so it could be they are gettng ready to do something, since they have been there for a few hours.
Comment by Who Me?
November 30, 2009
Medics dispatched to command post
Could be staging?
Comment by BM
November 30, 2009
thank you so much
Echoing some comments above, I would really like to thank the people who are getting this news to us. Now I don't have to worry if something very serious is going on , I can keep on refreshing this page. :) Thanks so much! I always like being informed about what is going on in my neighborhood.
Comment by no name
November 30, 2009
Bearcat
Bearcat is there. They've got plenty of tools
Comment by BM
November 30, 2009
CD News has got to be the website of the year!
You ROCK Scott. I really appreciate what you do. Given your limited resources, you are extremely talented and an asset. Wish we had a Scott in every neighborhood!
Comment by Anon
November 30, 2009
RE SK's comment
I agree more needs to be done w/ in the area re peaople coming together/meeting each other. I've lived in the area for almost 5 yrs. I am moving but would like to pass on some helpful neighborhood links to help you on the journey: The Leschi and Pratt Park Neighborhood Councils are both good advocacy groups to concider. I will be praying for peace in the neighborhood. Hope that things get better.
sincerely,
LS
Comment by LS
November 30, 2009
Thank you
Thank you to he CD News for responsible and amazingly considerate reporting. I can't begin to imagine how frightening it must be to live in that area and how relieving it must feel to have CD News explaining what is happening. What an incredible neighborhood resource!
Comment by BW
November 30, 2009
Boom
Here comes the noises
Comment by Anon
November 30, 2009
wtf is wrong with this country
why did the judge set the bail so low? so f-ed justice system. hope they catch this guy today as they been doing nothing but trying to catch this guy today
Comment by wtf
November 30, 2009
Clear?
Did they just say the building was clear?

Does that mean he wasn't in there or that they've caught him
Comment by leschi resident
November 30, 2009
RE: Clear?
Must have mis-understood something sounds like it is still going on
Comment by leschi resident
November 30, 2009
Leschi - a great place to raise a family
We live 1/2 mile from this incident and a couple of blocks from the Halloween slaying. Tonight at 10pm, my 3-yr old came downstairs and asked me to sit in his room while he fell asleep because the helicopter noise was making him scared. Years ago wife and I bought a house in Leschi choosing it at my urging over other north-end neighborhoods because of what I saw as authentic diversity and cool grittiness. Now, after years of seeing worthless drug dealers wasting time on neighborhood corners, prostitutes doing tricks in parks, graffiti tagged playgrounds, drive by shooting scenes, and now a SWAT team standoff, it's hard for even an optimist to not give up on Leschi and the CD.
Comment by A
November 30, 2009
RE: Leschi - a great place to raise a family
then leave. the upscaling of leschi and the CD isn't making it safer. rich, white folks looking for a diverse experience are making it harder and harder for folks from here to live here. poverty is at the root of these issues, and fancy coffee shops and cupcake stands are driving up property values and making life harder.

if you care, then learn about crime and poverty and check what you're doing to contribute to it.
Comment by white girl
December 01, 2009
Home layout
Per police scanner traffic, a neighbor is volunteering to describe the layout of the house.
Comment by AP
November 30, 2009
thank you
Thank you so much for covering this situation from minute to minute. I have many friends living in the area that's being covered and am biting fingernails for everyone to stay safely in their homes.
Comment by Sheri LaVigne
November 30, 2009
Still listening to the chopper
If it's clear, why is the helicopter still circling the area? Is it SPD, or a news station?
Comment by 14th & Columbia
November 30, 2009
BIG booms
We're over in Madrona less than a mi away from the house in question & just heard some REALLY big booms.
Comment by Madrona resident
November 30, 2009
Gunshots or explosion
Just heard short spurt of gunfire or explosion fr. direction of scene of siege.
Comment by Richard Silverstein
November 30, 2009
RE: Gunshots or explosion
I suppose Kaaren Andrews had something to do with this too???? Can't you find a way to tie this back to Madrona K-8. Come on Richard.....
Comment by real dad
December 01, 2009
not clear
Situation is NOT clear - that was another call down South. More flash bangs getting ready to go
Comment by Capt W
November 30, 2009
Helicopter
The helicopter is likely King County Sherriff's Guardian One. It may be monitoring in case a suspect attempts an escape. Or it may be trying to keep media helicopters from seeing/reporting too much. Probably some of both.
Comment by AP
November 30, 2009
Sounds like he's still in the house
SeattleCrime is reporting that negotiators are in contact with the suspect & are trying to coax him to surrender, but as of 1 am they hadn't been successful: http://tinyurl.com/y8n6uqu
Comment by Madrona resident
November 30, 2009
I've got to check this site more often
There have been many times in the past year when stuff has been going on---sirens racing up or down Cherry, ---

OK, now I hear sirens approaching....
Comment by 14th & columbia
November 30, 2009
Re: still in the house
Hey "Madrona resident", there is no indication that he is still in the house or has responded or is "in contact"; in fact the overheard conversation from the negotiator suggests they have NOT heard from Mr. Clemmons.
Comment by AP
November 30, 2009
still in house
No need to use loudspeakers, sirens, etc. as reported on PI if they are in touch. seattlecrime indicates may have been contact earlier. The 1am reflects loudspeaker negotiation.
Comment by Capt W
November 30, 2009
chill
Chill dude (or dudette). Just linking to what I read ("Police were in contact with Clemmons through the evening and into the early morning hours." "Just after 1:00 a.m., negotiators contacted Clemmons and tried to coax him out of the home." etc). This stuff happening in all of our backyards (to say nothing of the tragedy earlier today that lead to it) is ugly enough without getting testy with each other, too.
Comment by Madrona resident
November 30, 2009
new source
http://twitter.com/despeaux

if real, it's a blow by blow account of what is going on down there
Comment by asteele
November 30, 2009
Scanner Traffic
What would be awesome is for Scott to figure out a way to put his scanner online during events such as this one. That way, for those of us who recently moved to Pullman, don't have to listen to KOMO's online scanner, with it's city-wide coverage.

Hint, hint.
Comment by Ryan
November 30, 2009
The Buick?
Any word regarding the possible accomplice in a white, 1983 Buick LeSabre?
Comment by Nightowl
November 30, 2009
20 minute deadline
Times headline indicating 20 min deadline given
Comment by Capt W
November 30, 2009
no more chopper
I Don't hear the helicopter anymore - after listening to it's circling for last hour. I'm two blocks from the stand-off.
Comment by LeschiResident
November 30, 2009
Tweets
Conglomeration of multiple good tweeters: http://twitter.com/despeaux/seattlenews

(Madrona, I love you!)
Comment by AP
November 30, 2009
if officer gets killed
if officer gets killed, just like this incident, does the family get like a life time financial support from the government like monthly pension etc, such as monthly income of officer? ? I feel sorry for the family cuz all of them had children... does anyone know?
Comment by hi
November 30, 2009
if officer gets killed
if officer gets killed, just like this incident, does the family get like a life time financial support from the government like monthly pension etc, such as monthly income of officer? ? I feel sorry for the family cuz all of them had children... does anyone know?
Comment by hi
November 30, 2009
Ultimatum
Per Seattle Times: "Shortly before 2 a.m., police gave whoever was in the house an ultimatum to come out in 20 minute, but got no response in that time."
Comment by AP
November 30, 2009
?
Hi- go to this site for info: /
Also, Despeaux's site is legit.
Comment by Patrick-
November 30, 2009
pop
I just heard a pop and its quiet here off yesler. Is it over?
Comment by 25th
November 30, 2009
silence
Still no helicopters - did they pull them back for the duration of the 20 min ultimatum? We're out on the balcony but can only hear blessed silence.
Comment by Madrona resident
November 30, 2009
RE: silence
If it was your family member would the silence still be blessed. They are not doing it to bother you.
Comment by citizen
November 30, 2009
Standoff
Is there any confirmation that he is in the house? Correct me if I am wrong but I have not read or heard that contact has been established.
Comment by SF
November 30, 2009
moving in
Despeaux's composite tweets indicate moving in on trailer http://twitter.com/despeaux/seattlenews
Comment by Capt W
November 30, 2009
?
Sorry Hi- search Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.
Comment by Patrick-
November 30, 2009
thanks AP
BTW - thanks to AP for the original twitter links!
Comment by Capt W
November 30, 2009
are you guys goin to sleep?
don't u guys have work tomorrow? go to bed now, everything will be in the news tomorrow. u don't wanna be tired .. hopefully they catch him and roads will re-open tomorrow.
Comment by sleep
November 30, 2009
Helicopters going north to Leshi
In Mt Baker and helicopters flew north to Leshi
Comment by Anon
November 30, 2009
i am working
a few miles off shore in gulf of mexico waiting while being off loaded to cargo carrier - then back up ship channel to port and home probably just as most people get off work
Comment by Capt W
November 30, 2009
Wow. It got quiet.
All sorts of information leading up to the reported 20 min deadline and SWAT reportedly moving in on the trailer but all has been quiet since. Is anyone here on scene or have been just repeating Twitter reports and scanner traffic?
Comment by Nightowl
November 30, 2009
Time
Per Seattle Police radio traffic, discussion of possible timeline: some police involved believe it may last until 7:00 a.m., others are not sure. Of course no one knows.
Comment by AP
November 30, 2009
Re: Time
(they are trying to get an idea for planning manpower as shifts change)
Comment by AP
November 30, 2009
sheriff briefing per tweets
per the despeaux composite tweets - "person of interest shot and may be deceased"
Comment by Capt W
November 30, 2009
McNerthney
Comment by Patrick-
November 30, 2009
White Buick
I don't know where the inquirer above got the year '83 on the Buick, but I notice what appears to be an early 90's white Buick on google maps street view at that intersection: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=,-95.677068&sspn=38.008397,90.263672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Seattle,+King,+Washington&ll=47.602767,-122.286268&spn=0.000996,0.002755&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=47.602765,-122.286136&panoid=uXYEUts3dymnwd_h862JBg&cbp=12,139.99,,0,13.68

"While police took tactical positions around the home, officers also scoured the neighborhood for a possible accomplice, who police say is driving an older model white Buick. The 20-year-old man police were looking for has several previous convictions for assault and driving without a license. His records also appear to indicate a prior drug charge."
Comment by tlc77
November 30, 2009
The Buick
Interesting find, tlc77.

I got the year of the Buick and other information off the radio. Three times - i believe - dispatchers or officers made mention of a white, '83 Buick leSabre, license plate 540XVE (I may have misheard the plate; both 'v' and 'e' sounds similar to '3', each other, etc.). The possible accomplice was called out as Eddie Davis (sp?), a "very light-skinned black male" 6'3", 177 1-7-89.
Comment by Nightowl
November 30, 2009
Thanks Scott
for providing this thread. I'm badly missing home (Ballard) while here working and the info is priceless. It was with great glee that I followed this thread while watching the "major" media play catch-up. Gotta go as the offload begins in 5. THANKS AGAIN Scott.
Comment by Capt W
November 30, 2009
the car on street view is definitely not a lesabre
I am sure you heard right - interesting find nevertheless ... according to mcnerthney: "Troyer: People who helped suspect have been detained. Investigation led police to Leschi." That probably means Eddie Davis ...
Comment by tlc77
November 30, 2009
Ditto
Great job. The updates were awesome.
Comment by Nightowl
November 30, 2009
Thanks
Thanks for the great reporting, guys!
Comment by David
November 30, 2009
Thanks for being there
I have been following this story from Wales UK - very worried about friends that live in Leschi. Thanks to all for keeping us informed. Our prayers are with you and with the slain police officers
Comment by Cheryl
November 30, 2009
Gunman
CNN just reported the police believe the suspected gunman is dead from his injuries!
Comment by Darlene
November 30, 2009
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