posted 12/03/09 10:40 AM | updated 12/03/09 10:46 AM
Featured Post! | Views: 2611 | Comments : 44 | News

Help for Leschi Residents Caught in the "Crossfire"

Hello CD people,

After reading todays article about Chrisceda Clemmons, I was wondering if there is any neighborhood support to help her and her neighbors put their homes back together. 

I am of the opinion that 'it takes a village' for both the families of the slain officers and the woman (Clemmons) who tried to do the right thing and the neighbors who were caught in the SWAT action. After reviewing today's posts I haven't found anything. But, then I am not the brightest bulb on the tree, either.

Update by scott: excerpts from the story

"I am coming to your house," he said. "I have killed four policemen and I need a place to rest and hide."

We know now who that was: Maurice Clemmons, the man who ambushed four Lakewood police officers Sunday morning, killing them all.

But to Chrisceda Clemmons, 45, the voice on the phone Sunday night belonged to her nephew Maurice. Her sister Dorothy Mae's son. The kid she used to baby-sit back home in Arkansas. The man who seemed determined to succeed, but who had also started to lose his mind last May.

...

"He trusted me," Chrisceda Clemmons said. "He trusted that I wouldn't turn him in."

But she did. And she was the only one. Other friends and family are accused of helping Clemmons escape the shooting scene, tending to his gunshot wound, washing his bloody clothes and keeping him out of law enforcement's reach.

But Chrisceda Clemmons couldn't do that. She had to think of her family. And she knew her nephew was not well. There was the time last May at his house in Tacoma when "he got angry at something" and started throwing rocks at his neighbors' houses and cars. One hit an elderly man. Later Clemmons assaulted two sheriff's deputies.

Tags: Clemmons, Leschi
.
Well, I certainly hope the city reimburses them for the damages. It sounds awful.
Comment by doug
December 03, 2009
RE: reimbursement
Yes. But it is likely to take years.
Comment by LeschiCC
December 03, 2009
Leschi family
Even if the city does reimburse the Clemmons family in Leschi that did help the police, it will take a while and probably will not cover everything.

I assume they have places to live with family on a temporary basis, but I think it would be appropriate for the community to show appreciation in some way. I don't live in Leschi and don't know them or the other people affected up there, but Leschi is part of the Central Area and I consider them neighbors. Perhaps those who do know this family could come up with a suggestion, whether it's providing actual assistance for some immediate need, or flowers and a letter signed by those of us who want to do so, or some other gesture.

They are hurting, the community is hurting, the police are hurting - we need to try to use this awful event to bring us all together, rather than dividing us further as some are hoping to do.

Thanks, CDFan, for beginning this discussion.
Comment by carolyn
December 03, 2009
Leschi Community Council Has Started Fund
The Leschi Community Council has established a fund to assist Chrisceda Clemmons and Michael Shantz and their family whose home was significantly damaged by SPD this weekend. KIRO news reporter Essex Porter interviewed Crisceda at her home yesterday. The following link provides a visual of the extent of the damage. http://www.kirotv.com/video/21795614/index.html Additional information can be found in the following Seattle Times article. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010410055_n

Chrisceda is the one Clemmons family member who did the right thing when contacted by her nephew. Leschi Community Council has established this fund to show its appreciation and support to her and her family during this very trying time.

Contributions should be sent to:

Leschi Community Council
P.O. Box 22391
Seattle, WA 98122-0391

Please reference Clemmons Family Fund. Thank you.

Peggy Herman
LCC Treasurer

*though it would be nice if this fund were something I could contribute to online through Paypal or something
Comment by Knox
December 03, 2009
RE: Leschi Community Council Has Started Fund
Thank you for the suggestion about Paypal. I will look into it.

Peggy Herman
LCC Treasurer
Comment by LeschiCC
December 03, 2009
Paypal Account: LeschiCC@gmail.com
Peggy Herman
LCC Treasurer
Comment by LeschiCC
December 03, 2009
Insurance?f
Will their insurance company cover the damage? I'm not sure how that works, but since they didn't do the damage it seems like that might be an option. If so the insurance company can then deal with the city.
Comment by joanna
December 03, 2009
RE: Insurance?f
Good point, Joanna!
Comment by carolyn
December 03, 2009
Good plan
Thanks for the information, I will make a donation.

When I saw the news coverage I was astounded at how the police responded with so much aggression. It was reminiscent of the Waco, TX overreaction.

Even if the suspect had been in the house that level of destruction is way out of proportion to what would be necessary to neutralize him.

I don't think the City should be liable for repaying the damages, it should come out of the paychecks of the police officers who did the unnecessary destruction. Every single window broken? Furniture torn up? Give me a break! Did they think he could hide under a couch cushion? Are they police or gorillas? Let's start with accountability.
Comment by zabasearcher
December 03, 2009
RE: Good plan
It looks like the Police's anger and sense of loyalty to their fellow slain officers caused them to vastly overreact. I appreciate the courage and service of the Police in this city, but that does not mean they are perfect. Did they need to pull drawers out or dump the instruments on the floor to find a fugitive? (I hate to see a guitar trashed, even by Jimi.) Seems like Chrisceda Clemmons did the right thing, and I respect her for that. Maybe in the future the family will get restitution or an insurance settlement but they probably need help most NOW.
Comment by 26th Neighbor
December 03, 2009
Leschi Community Council Has Started A Fund
Paypal really works for me. The sooner the council can set up an account, the better. I think you will find that the account comes in handy for all types of donation and fundraising activity.
Comment by cdfan
December 03, 2009
Scott
Can you chat with your sources at SPD? The two stories only relay the family's version of what they did that evening. It'd be easy for them to leave out a couple important pieces of information.
Comment by teacup
December 03, 2009
RE: Scott
figures! someone just had to pull that card!! thanks for the story scott, and Chrisceda Clemmons & Michael Stantz, youre in my prayers! you did the right thing!
Comment by tif
December 03, 2009
RE: Scott
Comment by Scott has provided SPD's side
December 03, 2009
RE: Scott
Believe me, I am not pulling "that card." Earlier this week I was also feeling very bad for this family. But last night I spoke with a primary source who shared information about two things the Leschi family did which completely alters this story. It is not my place to share this information (I know - an irritating thing for me to state), but I can't help but think that if asked... maybe SPD would help fill out the story of what the family did that night.
Comment by teacup
December 03, 2009
RE: Scott
some answers at tonight's EPCPC meeting.
Comment by Maybe SPD will be able to provide
December 03, 2009
Volunteer
I have some time to help out the family and put their house back together. If there is an organization being put together please let me know. I have been a general contracting consultant for 10 years working for companies that need extra management on a project and doing highly skilled labor on unique remodel projects. I am fully tooled (table saw, compressor, nail guns, router, chop saw, sawzall, etc., etc.)

And I live 6 blocks away.

Let me know. My connected email is push.

Matt.
Comment by MattOnJackson
December 03, 2009
King 5 is reporting that the insurance co. and police are helping today with fumigating and fixing the house
King 5 is reporting that the insurance co. and police are helping today with fumigating and fixing the house.
Comment by del
December 03, 2009
Leschi house
Read the charging papers - this Leschi family initially told the creep to come over and then thought otherwise. Let their insurance pay for it. I have no sympathy for anyone in this creepy felonious family!
Comment by laurie
December 03, 2009
insurance
IF they told him to come over, the insurance co. could claim the subsequent police action was as a result of their own actions.
Comment by del
December 03, 2009
Lest ye be judged...
"Read the charging papers - this Leschi family initially told the creep to come over and then thought otherwise. Let their insurance pay for it. I have no sympathy for anyone in this creepy felonious family!"

-- Good to know, Leschi House. I'm your neighbor. So when this happens in *your* family- which is far, far from perfect, I'll take the same heartless attitude as you have! I hope it's your son or daughter or spouaw who calls asking for sanctuary-- so you really have to agonize over what the right thing to do is. And I'll sit in sanctimonious judgement of you and your shameful decisions. I hope the next time you even come *close* to breaking the law, you get caught and punished- because there can be no exceptions, right?!

Shame on you, Leschi House. Shame on you.
Comment by Leschi Dude
December 03, 2009
RE: Lest ye be judged...
It has long (my entire 50 years in the CD, and no doubt much longer) been the accepted code of conduct in the CD that families with felons harbor them, enable them, and refuse to help deter them no matter what they've done. Let this be a lesson to those families. The fact that the last poster implies that any amount of soul searching had to occur to do the right thing in the face of "Hi, Auntie. I just murdered 4 fathers and need a place to stay" is evidence of how desensitized the whole CD is to this sort of thing. If the relative told him to come over, offering him safe haven, then changed her mind (likely because she didn't want to be killed) then perhaps she'll think twice about being the sort of relative that murderous felons assume they can drop in on when they've committed mass murder.
Comment by lifelongcdresident
December 03, 2009
lest ye be judged...
I have seen no comments about helping the families that the police officers. I hope that people helping Leschi can also reach out to the families whose loved ones were executed.
Comment by anon
December 03, 2009
RE: lest ye be judged...
are you really complaining about the lack of comments about helping the officers' families in a post/thread about specifically helping Chrisceda's situation?
Comment by bpm2000
December 04, 2009
I'd like to lend my computer expertise
Council, if u need, I can help you get the paypal set up. I can stop by tomorrow to help, just email me asap, I keep seeing this story on TV and will do what I can to help. Concerned Citizen
Comment by N T
December 03, 2009
How to help Chrisceda:
Oops, I missed the post. It looks like if u'd like to help go to http://www.paypal.com and send payment to

LeschiCC@gmail.com


For the person complaining about our compassion, go buy a Tshirt that benefits your cause you'll see PLENTY of avenues on the mainstream media
Comment by N T
December 03, 2009
time frame
I'm curious as to why she and her family took the time to drive to the East precinct to report Clemmons was on the way to her house (thus allowing him to escape) rather than picking up the house or cell phone and calling 911. Or if they have no phone why they didn't stop at any one of the many phones between her house and the east precinct. I drive that route every day and there are indeed payphones along the way. It seems to me they got out of the house to escape Clemmons arrival, then took their time in getting the info to the police. By the time SPD arrived Clemmons had come and gone.
Comment by garfieldmom
December 03, 2009
RE: time frame
According to Dex online white pages she has a house phone. Why give Clemmons time to escape by driving to the East precinct to report that he was on his way?
Comment by del
December 03, 2009
RE: time frame
Can you blame them for wanting to go someplace safe, East Princint, to get away from Maurice? What proof have you found that if SPD had arrived at the house earlier they would have caught Maurice? I don't see any proof that he ever actually went there.
Comment by really?
December 03, 2009
Brave Aunt
I think the Aunt going to the East precinct was the right thing to do.
Its possible Maurice could have taken her, her husband and kids hostage.

I also think going to the precinct was taken alot more seriously than calling in
although why (according to the Seattle Times article) it took 15 minutes for the police officer to take their report.
"take a seat"? Honey, 15 minutes is a long time! Obviously the officer didn't take Shantz her husband seriously.

Also wondering why the Uncle reports the sergeant on the scene told him they saw Maurice "him" at the house and go to the porch. If they saw him leaving the porch - assuming the door was locked and if they knew he didn't enter the house, why trash it?

Can we get some answers here?
Comment by Seattle Gal
December 03, 2009
RE: Brave Aunt
Although the police thought they saw Maurice leave the porch, they also thought he ran into the back yard. From there, he could have gone in via a window or back door.
Comment by Heath Hunnicutt
December 05, 2009
Saved Lives
Chrisceda Clemmons and her husband did a very brave act. They probably saved their lives, the six lives of her family and many more in the community by taking action.
I can't imagine what it was like to gather your young kids and move them to a safe location.

It takes alot of bravery to call for help. If anything comes out of this tragedy is that people will ask for help early on.
Comment by Seattle Gal
December 03, 2009
RE: time frame by really?
"Can you blame them for wanting to go someplace safe, East Princint, to get away from Maurice?" Not at all. That's why I'm questioning why they told the Seattle times they waited an hour, speaking to Maurice 4 times in that hour, before finally leaving. They could have called 911 at any point. They didn't take the kids to the precinct, according to what they told the Times. Just the husband and wife went, with the wife waiting in the car. It's the husband's account that he waited 15 minutes at the precinct. Something tells me the precinct film will show he waited far less time than that for assistance. Either way, calling 911 rather than waiting an hour, asking Maurice to come on over but without the gun, etc. would have been better and safe for ALL of us. The times article is actually fairly damning.
Comment by gm
December 03, 2009
What would you do?
If I recall the articles correctly, Maurice would hang up on his calls and they did tell him not
to come to the house.
This was a difficult situation but she did the right thing. And her house didn't need to be so excessively destroyed.

Its like they couldn't find him so they decide to take it out on the family's house. Like he hid something in their guitars?
Comment by Seattle Gal
December 04, 2009
RE: What would you do?
Then you should read the article again.
As far as tearing up the house looking for something, wake up! They knew they were looking for a dead cop's gun. It's amazing that you jump to assume the police did wrong and the woman who delayed so long a murderer got away did right. And speaking of the aunties in that family, read the other article today about how is other aunt actually handled the dead officer's gun and was charged today accordingly.
Comment by del
December 04, 2009
.
I'm far from being any sort of moral authority or hero, but if a relative of mine called me to say that he had murdered four cops (or anybody else, for that matter) and was coming to see me, I'd tell him that I was calling 911, hang up, and get the hell out of there.

Once safely away, I'd be on the phone to the police, telling them everything I knew.
Comment by just saying....
December 04, 2009
Stick to the Facts
Easy way to determine if these relatives acted appropriately.
1. Carefully interview Ms. Clemmons and Mr. Shantz separately.
2. Carefully check all incoming and outgoing phone records for time stamps.
3. Interview the children.
4. Interview the neighbors.
5. Interview friends and family who took the kids.
6. Compare statements.
Before you all rush to aid this family you should get all the facts and not base your kindness on what little facts have been fed to you by the Seattle Times. There are plenty of other homeless families in Seattle more deserving of our sympathy.
It took Ms. Clemmons and Mr. Shantz and hour to get to the police station? Give me a break. Ten minutes tops to get kids in the car and drive over to east precinct. Waiting 15 minutes? Really? How about saying this next time: "MY nephew by marriage killed four cops and has just called me. I have information about his whereabouts." I think you would be seen pretty damn quickly.
Let's ask ourselves this: If Maurice had succeeded in ambushing Officer Kelly (a real hero), would you all be so sympathetic to the plight of the Shatz/Clemmons family? I think not. Except if you're one of the message board censors on this site.
Comment by Ready
December 05, 2009
RE: Stick to the Facts
Bravo, Ready! Please email that to the Times!
Comment by garfieldmom
December 06, 2009
RE: Stick to the Facts
Text of criminal assistance charging document relating to Leschi residence http://mynorthwest.com/?sid=249612&nid=11

Seattle Police Officers arrived in the [Leschi] area and saw a black male on foot near a residence. The officers also saw a small white vehicle leaving the area and they conducted a traffic stop and contacted the female driver of the vehicle.

That female driver was identified as a Seattle resident who later told Detectives Kobel and Karr that Clemmons was a friend of hers. She admitted that she picked him up in a Seattle parking lot and took him to her residence. She said Clemmons told her he had killed a police officer or officers in a Tacoma coffee shop. The woman took Clemmons to her residence, bought medical supplies, helped treat a gunshot wound to his torso; he changed clothes, washed and dried a load of laundry and she dropped him off in the area of 3800 East Superior Street. When Clemmons got out of the car, and the female drove away and was stopped by Seattle Police officers.

......

Residents at a house located in the 3800 block of East Superior Street drove to the Seattle Police precinct office and reported that they had been contacted by Maurice Clemmons, who is known to them.

Clemmons had telephoned them and said he needed a place to stay, and they initially agreed to allow him to stay with them. Clemmons told the residents he was armed with a gun. The residents then talked to Clemmons relatives in Algona/Pacific area and learned that Clemmons had been shot and he said he had shot some police officers in Tacoma. The East Superior Street residents vacated... read more
Comment by Sticking to the Facts
December 06, 2009
Help Heroic Clemmons Aunt
I just set up a Facebook "Cause" named "Help Heroic Clemmons Aunt" to raise funds to go to the LESCHI COMMUNITY COUNCIL. Find the Cause at http://apps.facebook.com/causes/412907/102795259?m=1a240be5

Andy Cilley, acilley@yahoo.com
Comment by Andy Cilley
December 05, 2009
the facebook page with paypal information
Donations can also be made to the family through the LCC via https://www.paypal.com/ Account: leschicc@gmail.com
Comment by It would be good to update
December 06, 2009
Don't feed the Auntie
Frankly I am glad the aunt has her housed trashed. Why would any of you even give her the time of day - she was offering refugee to this deranged killer. She deserves this pain and suffering - she is part of the CD problem - serving as a host to felonious parasites - this is why you whiteys are all getting robbed - get a clue. Lots of parasites.
Comment by Laurie
December 07, 2009
RE: Don't feed the Auntie
Dear Don't feed the Auntie,

Your comments clearly indicated that you have not been correctly informed on this incident. "The Auntie" DID NOT offer refuge to the killer. She vacated her home with her family fleeing for safety because she must have understood that the "deranged killer" might also kill her and/or her children. Upon leaving her home, doors locked and windows shut, she proceeded DIRECTLY to the police station where she reported the "felonious parasite".

While your use of adjectives and descriptive phrases is less than interesting. Your demonstrated ignorance of the facts and rush to judgment is much less interesting.

A word to the wise, do your research before you express too much glee about the tragedy that has just occurred.

Karma is a b!*%h!
Comment by A word to the wise, and not so
December 07, 2009
A word to the wise
Actually, her husband told the Times that he asked Maurice to come over but without the gun.

The Auntie waited an hour after the 1st call, talking to him 4 times, before she finally left the house, thus buying him an hour and 15 minutes in which the police could have been zeroing in on him.

The police scanner (see Seattlecrime.com) that night reported that guns were found in a shed on the property.

Auntie's hands are not clean. Her husband's aren't either. Her husband actually described their delaying tactics in detail to the papers. Let me ask you this: If the delay of 1 hour and 15 minutes, and 4 phone conversations during that time, which bought Maurice enough time to get away, had resulted in his getting the drop on the officer who killed him, and we'd had another dead officer, would you still be defending her for this MASSIVE delay? She didn't even get out of the car at the precinct, her husband did. And neither of them called police! They spent an hour talking on the phone over a period of 4 phone calls with Maurice, and only when they could not convince him to come on over without the gun, did they flee! Then they drove to the precinct rather than calling, FURTHER delaying police action.

What happened to their house is their own doing and I hope they go to jail when the phone records come out.
Comment by delia
December 07, 2009
ABC's Extreme Home Makeover
I don't pretend to know all the facts, but this family has been on my heart along with the murdered police officers families, since it all happened.

In light of what has just occurred in Haiti, it seems pretty small to be out of your home for a couple months, since no one other than the Murderer died in the Clemmons family.

That being said; those that feel strongly about repairing the Clemmons/Shantz home could each write a letter to ABC's Extreme Home Makeover. I'm sure they check out their possible recipients very carefully.

Otherwise each of us is left to do what we believe is true and right and may God bless each of our decisions.
Comment by Just a thought...
January 15, 2010
Neighbors of the Clemmons family
The neighbors right next to the Clemmons famiy were renters. The police fired rounds of tear gas into their home and all 5 of the people that lived in that house have been staying at a hotel since the incident. They did nothing wrong but they were caught in the crossfire and their home was heavily damaged. Many of the tenants of that house have maxed out credit cards to stay in a hotel and many of their possessions were destroyed.
Comment by Anon
January 26, 2010
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