Seattle Police arrested four including at least one known gang member and seized three vehicles tracked down on 34th Ave after a man was found lying naked and semi-conscious in the street behind Garage Billiards on Capitol Hill early Thursday morning.

According to the SPD report on the incident, police were called to the Garage after receiving a report of two men in an altercation on Broadway CT near the IHOP.

When they arrived just before 1 AM, police found the victim lying down and dazed in the street with dilated eyes. And he was also completely naked. The victim was taken to Harborview for further treatment.

Police found a black Camaro spotted at the scene later that night in the 900 block of 34th Ave. Police approached the group and their parked vehicles and identified a man matching the description of the Broadway Ct. suspect.

Inside the vehicles, police found “several small white colored rocks wrapped together in a clear plastic baggy” believed to be drugs, the victim’s wallet and a pile of clothes believed to belong to the victim. Police arrested one man for the drugs, one woman on a warrant, one woman who had the victim’s wallet and the man suspected of assaulting the victim and stealing his clothing.

Neighbors in the area reported that police also searched area yards during the arrest incident on 34th Ave.

Police searched the area the King County Juvenile Detention Center in vain Saturday morning after a purse snatching was reported at 18th and Spruce.

No confirmed details from SPD at this time but according to police radio dispatches, police were called to the area after a woman reported having her bag grabbed around 9:30 AM.

Police set up containment as a K9 unit searched the area for two possible suspects described as black males — one with cornrows and wearing a grey hoodie and grey pants and the other in a red shirt and black jeans. Despite reports from residents who saw a person matching the description of one of the suspects in area backyards, police were not successful in their search.

It’s a good weekend to wash your ride. Our official news bike could definitely use a scrub. CDN advertiser Sea Suds wants to give you a free wash at 23rd and Union — for whatever vehicle you put to use.

We’re giving away three gift packs with 13 Sea Suds tokens — good for the $13 “automatic deluxe” or whatever you want to put them to use for a good scrubbing — to three commenters randomly selected below. All you need to do is post a link to a picture of your favorite Central District ride. Winners will be selected today at 5 PM.

CHS recently wrote about some small but life-saving changes in the way Seattle Fire responds to medical emergencies. This fall, King County residents will have the opportunity to vote to continue funding one of the underpinnings of 911 response in the city and through the county — Medic One. While it seems unlikely the levy could possibly fail at the ballot box, the announcement below from the King County Council is worth a read for a better understanding of how this vital service was created and how it works today.

Voters to decide in November on six-year levy
for Medic One services

Voters will have the opportunity to reauthorize funding for the regional system of paramedic and ambulance services with today’s unanimous adoption by the Metropolitan King County Council to place a six-year Medic One and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy on the November general election ballot. Continue reading →

A Seattle Juneteenth past (Image: Central District News)

The process to create an honorary Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney Avenue running along 19th Ave between E Union and E Republican connecting the Central District and Capitol Hill moves forward this week with the second of two public meetings on the proposed designation.

And, remember, this is about creating an honorary designation — not the logistically challenging name change the original announcement of the plan described. From City Council member Tom Rasmussen after our original post on the plan:

I am receiving e-mails opposing the honorary sign. Because of what people are writing I think there is a misunderstanding! This is an “honorary sign”. This is not a name change of 19th Avenue that requires map changes and all of that.

Rasmussen provided the example of the “Gerard Schwarz Way” sign on top of the University Street sign at the corner of Second Avenue outside Benaroya Hall.

This week also features Seattle’s annual Juneteenth celebration. The Central Area Chamber of Commerce says it is expanding this year’s event:

Our new name is “Juneteenth International Festival” and this is our first annual event hosted under this name. The Juneteenth International Festival is a three day event taking place June 7th, 8th, and 9th. People will enjoy food, music, and entertainment including plays and poetry. Continue reading →

SPD and medics are responding to a reported shooting at 23rd and Jackson. There is at least one victim and police are searching area hospitals for a possible second person who may have been hit by gunfire.

Police have confirmed that one male has been shot. Seattle Fire is transporting the victim from the scene to Harborview.

UPDATE 5/29: The Seattle Times reports that the man died from his injuries. Homicide detectives are investigating the case.

A resident in the area reported hearing multiple shots just after 7 PM at the intersection near the Starbucks and the Red Apple grocery store.

This is a developing story and not all details have been confirmed with Seattle Police or Seattle Fire.

UPDATE: SPD says the shooting involved a uniformed security guard. There was a security guard at the scene when CDNews arrived, though we cannot confirm he was the guard involved. He appeared visibly shaken, though the area was very busy when we arrived and many people were clearly shaken by the incident on a busy CD block.

UPDATE: SPD spokesperson Jeff Kappel says a group of people were fighting in the parking lot on the east side of Starbucks. A uniformed security guard contracted to work the area approached the group and told them to leave.

As some in the group separated and began leaving, one man allegedly pulled out what appears to be a gun and pointed it at the people he had been fighting with. He then allegedly turned the gun on the guard, who fired and critically injured the man.

After being shot, he stumbled to the north side of the Starbucks, where he collapsed.

There were at least six bullet casings marked on the ground at the scene. It is unknown whether the man who was shot ever fired his gun (pictured below).

The guard surrendered to officers at the scene and is being questioned downtown.

Police gave no details or ages of those involved. They are asking for anyone who saw or knows anything to contact the Homicide Unit tip line at (206) 233-5000.

More details from the SPD Blotter:

Continue reading →

The academy’s robotics lab these days sometimes includes nearby High 5 Pie (Image: SAAS)

Neighbors living near 13th and Spring will learn more about the project to create a new $20 million science building on the campus of the Seattle Academy of Arts… and Sciences.

“We’ve had a strong science program in spite of the facilities,” Rob Phillips, Assistant Head of School said of the sometimes patchwork solutions to finding space for everything from chemistry class to the robotics club at the private middle and high school.

The new project isn’t required to take the same design review path as other large projects but the school is still reaching out to present its plans to the community:

After the regular 12^th Avenue Stewards meeting on Tuesday May 14 (5:30-7:00pm), lead architect David Miller will talk about and answer questions about the project to neighbors. The presentation is on the 12^th Ave Stewards agenda and we are also going door to door with the local neighbors to let them know. Continue reading →

A proposal to rename a 0.7 mile stretch of 19th Ave and 19th Ave E to honor a longtime leader of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church at 19th and Madison was announced by two members of the Seattle City Council late Wednesday night.

The proposed Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney Avenue would run between E Union and Republican, crossing E Madison by the church where McKinney was honored earlier this month for his 45 years of service.

The first of two public meetings on the proposed change is slated for Wednesday afternoon. We’re checking to find out the status of scheduling the second meeting.

The area the street passes through was historically within the city’s black district where many African Americans raised families and built lives in eras of redlining and economic and cultural segregation in the city. Today, the area encompasses a steadily changing mix of community facilities, new developments and old homes and is still home to many African American Seattleites. Mt. Zion’s large campus itself is set to join the continued changes as it prepares plans for a redevelopment of its property at the 19th and Madison intersection. Continue reading →

Thanks to @Seattle_12s for the photo.

Seattle Fire wrestled a gas station blaze quickly under control Thursday morning after a car reportedly smashed into a pump near Terry and James.

According to Seattle Fire radio dispatches, the fire was reported just before 9:20 AM and was under control less than 10 minutes later as the car continued to smolder.

There do not appear to be any injuries associated with the crash and fire.

A Seattle Police collision investigation is also underway at the scene.

UPDATE: The crash reportedly involved a hit and run driver who left the scene westbound on James. Police are looking for a black, late 2000s Chevy Monte Carlo with “significant damage” to the passenger side.

Photo of the aftermath, from Seattle Fire: Continue reading →