Homicide and CSI detectives responded to the scene to begin their investigation.  A K9 team was brought in as well to assist with a search for possible suspects, but no suspects were located.   At this time this remains an active and on going investigation.  This is preliminary information and is subject to change.

Online Application Filing Period: April 2–27, 2012 at www.seattlepolicejobs.com

WORKSHOPS:

We have free pre-test workshops available to help you prepare for the June 23-24 Entry Level Police Officer Exam.  You must pre-register with the Recruiting Unit in order to attend.   

Please e-mail Officer Andre Sinn at andre.sinn@seattle.gov to register, or if you have questions or need additional information.   You will receive a confirmation e-mail with the location, directions, and more information about the workshop.  If you are serious about becoming a Seattle Police Officer, we strongly recommend you attend one of these workshops, which will provide an in depth overview of the testing and hiring process from start to finish.

Free Pre-test Workshops in downtown Seattle:

Saturday, February 18th – 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

Thursday, February 23rd – 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Wednesday, March 14^th – 6:00pm – 8:30

Saturday, March 24^th – 10:00am – 12:30

Wednesday, April 25^th – 6:00pm – 8:30

Saturday, April 8^th – 10:00am – 12:30

Saturday, May 19^th – 10:00am – 12:30

Wednesday, May 23^rd – 6:00pm – 8:30

The suspect slowed down and appeared to be coming to a stop when she suddenly accelerated towards the intersection of 1st Avenue Northeast and Northeast 107th Street.  The suspect drove through the intersection at a high rate of speed, striking multiple vehicles. 

SFD medics responded to the scene.  Six people, including the suspect, were transported to various area hospitals for treatment of their non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect is being investigated for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, among other violations.

Traffic Collision Investigation Squad detectives responded to the scene and continue to actively investigate.

The I-5 exit ramp and 1st Avenue NE will be shut down until approximately 9:00 p.m. while officers and detectives complete their on-scene investigation.

In regards to the decision not to employ other police resources – such as SWAT – to arrest the suspect, Office of Professional Accountability (OPA) Director Kathryn Olson and OPA Auditor Anne Levinson disagreed with the initial recommendation of “Supervisory Intervention” and believed a sustained finding was called for.  Chief Diaz agreed that there should be discipline and the supervisor involved received a written reprimand.  He and the other officers received additional training regarding domestic violence investigations and arrests.

For more on this, please click on this link, go to page 18 and scroll to the third paragraph and also this link and go to page 10. 

The Department understands how traumatic domestic violence (DV) can be for victims.  The department does provide a DV pamphlet for DV victims including referral information on how to access services – it was done in this case. 

A Domestic Violence detective and a victim advocate were assigned to this case immediately.  The detective worked diligently with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (KCPAO) to obtain a felony arrest warrant for the suspect.  It was issued five days after the original report.  SPD North Precinct Anti-Crime Team officers located and arrested the suspect three days later.

The case detective and the victim advocate believed that the victim was staying with family friends.  It wasn’t until after the fact that the victim disclosed to the victim advocate that she had spent a day living in her car, coincidentally the same day that the suspect was arrested.  This is unfortunate because there are shelters and resources available for victims of domestic violence.  SPD DV detectives and civilian volunteers with the Seattle Police Victim Support Team are familiar with them and would have made them available.

The suspect was ultimately charged by the KCPAO with one count of felony domestic violence harassment, one count of witness tampering and one count of Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act 2nd degree, a weapons violation.  The suspect plead guilty to all three counts and was sentenced to nine months in jail.  The suspect was released with credit for time served.

For more information on SPD Domestic Violence Safety, please click here.   For information on volunteering with the Victim Support Team to help victims of domestic violence, please click here.

Here are links to the redacted police reports in question:  DV report, Arrest report

Negotiators were able to get the subject to surrender peacefully.  He was subsequently transported to an area hospital by ambulance for treatment.

Once the subject was safely detained, officers made entry into the subject’s apartment and confirmed nobody else was present or in danger.  Officers recovered a BB handgun (the person who called 911 believed the BB gun to be a real firearm), two fixed-blade sheath knives and one double-bladed knife.  The weapons were booked into evidence. 

There was nobody else inside the apartment during the incident and nobody was injured.

Victim #1, a 51-year-old male, sustained a stab wound to the abdomen.  The specifics of victim #2′s injuries are unknown at this time.  Both victims were treated by SFD medics at the scene and subsequently transported to area hospitals for follow up treatment.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the assault actually occurred about one block south of where the victims were located, possibly in a park.  One victim had a speech disability preventing him from providing officers with any information and the other victim was uncooperative with investigating officers.  We therefore have no additional details and no suspect information.

This remains an active and on-going investigation.

With the theme, “Heroes Among Us”, the gala paid a fitting tribute to the men and women of the Seattle Police Department who protect our city every day and night.  Joining me at the event were Officers Joe Cepeda and Ryan Gallagher of Seattle Police Pipes and Drums, Detective Kim Bogucki of the “If Project”, Sergeant Kevin Grossman, Hostage Negotiator and Professional Standards supervisor and Sergeant Sean Whitcomb of Public Affairs.  They are just a select few of the heroes that have dedicated themselves to a career of public service – our department consists of hundreds of men and women just like them.  In fact, a number of department members – sworn and civilian, uniformed and plain-clothes – volunteered their time to attend this amazing event to ensure its success.

This event would not have been possible without the tireless effort of the members of the Seattle Hotel Association and Seattle Hotel Association President Howard Cohen.  I cannot begin to express the immense gratitude that I have for Howard, his board and those that worked closely with them to support their efforts. 

For the Seattle Police Foundation to have been selected as a beneficiary of the Seattle Hotel Association’s “Evening of Hope” fundraiser is truly an honor.  It is a great benefit to the Seattle Police Department and the communities that we serve.  Since 2002, the Seattle Police Foundation has raised more than five million dollars.  That money has been invested in community partnerships, employee development and specialized equipment and technology for our officers.  Many of you probably aren’t aware that department units like SWAT, CSI, Victim Support Team, K-9, and Patrol Operations are regular recipients of bi-annual grants funded by the Seattle Police Foundation.  Our Picnic in the Precinct program wouldn’t be possible without the Foundation and let’s not forget the horses!  In 2011, the Seattle Police Foundation stepped in to conduct a fundraising campaign to preserve our historic Mounted Patrol Unit, some of the most visible and beloved members of our department.

The work behind this year’s Evening of Hope has clearly been rewarded.  The Seattle Hotel Association successfully raised over $400,000.  Clearly, there is no shortage of generosity and goodwill in our community! 

As Chief of Police and on behalf of the men and women of the Seattle Police Department, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to those who sponsored the event, those that made the auction items possible and also those who purchased them!  Once more, special thanks to Howard Cohen and the members of the Seattle Hotel Association.  Also, thanks to the Seattle Police Foundation President and CEO Renee’ Hopkins and the Seattle Police Foundation Chairman of the Board of Directors Sam Baker.  Thank you for making our officers safer and our communities stronger. 

John Diaz, Chief of Police

Seattle, Washington — February 6, 2012 — This past Saturday, the Seattle Hotel Association hosted the 15th annual Evening of Hope Gala at the Olympic Fairmont Hotel. This year all net proceeds benefit the Seattle Police Foundation. Saturday’s honorees, Gil Kerlikowske and his wife Anna Laszlo, were recognized for all their hard work towards improving public safety. Gil is currently the Drug Czar for the Obama Administration and the former Seattle Police Chief (2001-2009). His wife Anna is a national leader in criminal justice research and programming. Both have had an amazing impact on the Seattle community, and it was under Gil’s leadership that the Seattle Police Foundation began.

The Seattle Police Foundation (SPF) was founded to assist the police department reach its mission of fighting crime, reducing fear and building strong communities. SPF specifically helps SPD enhance relationships with the community they serve, improve officer and employee development, and provide the latest in equipment and technology that would not be normally funded in the city’s budget to ensure their safety and enhance the service they provide our community every day. Proceeds from the Evening of Hope will go to fund projects in these areas. “This money will help us continue to make Seattle safer. The work we do changes and saves lives,” said Renée Hopkins, President of the Seattle Police Foundation. The event raised more than $400,000 with proceeds going to the SPF.

The partnership between the Seattle Hotel Association, the Seattle Police Foundation and the events sponsors, demonstrates the commitment we all have towards building a safe and vibrant Seattle to allow businesses and families to thrive. Again, the Seattle Police Foundation would like to thank the Seattle Hotel Association and the event sponsors for their support and ensuring the events success.

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 For more information, press only:

Abel Pacheco, (206) 733- 9372, abel.pacheco@seattle.gov

For more information on the Seattle Police Foundation and the Seattle Hotel Association:

http://www.seattlepolicefoundation.org

http://www.seattlehotelassociation.org/eoh.html

Officers surrounded the suspect’s apartment complex and attempted to contact the suspect at his apartment.  Shortly thereafter the suspect was observed sneaking out the back of his apartment.  When confronted by officers, the suspect ran back inside.  The suspect then tried to sneak out the front door of his apartment at which time he was taken into custody by officers lying in wait.

The 26-year-old male suspect was subsequently booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Assault (felony assault) and Investigation of VUFA (being a felon in possession of a firearm).

This remains an active and on-going Homicide/Assault investigation.

Responding officers noted multiple bullet holes in a vehicle parked in front of the victim address. The officers recovered multiple shell casings and slugs.  There were no reported injuries, no apparent damage to the residence.

Officers responded to the suspect vehicle’s registered address and observed the vehicle parked/unoccupied outside, with one shell casing visible on the rear seat floorboards.  While watching the residence, another vehicle left the house.  Officers stopped this vehicle and detained the male matching the suspect description.  He was positively identified by the witness to the earlier shooting. The suspect was subsequently booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Drive-by shooting.  The suspect’s vehicle was impounded to the processing room.