Officers continue investigating whether a young female was abducted near a school in West Seattle this afternoon but have not found any evidence to substantiate the report.
At approximately 12:38 p.m. officers responded to Gatewood Elementary School in the 4300 block of SW Myrtle Street for the report of an abduction. Preliminary investigation indicates that a student notified school staff that she believed she witnessed an abduction of a young girl adjacent to the playground during recess (in the 4300 block of SW Frontenac Street). She described a white male covering the mouth of a 6 to 12 year old female, placing her in the cab of his pickup truck and driving away.
During the investigation officers were able to locate two additional witnesses, one adult and one child, who saw the vehicle and girl in question but did not see any foul play. At this point officers have not found any evidence that a crime occurred.
Seattle Police officers responded to the school and also extensively searched the area. King County Sheriff’s Office, Tukwila Police and the Washington State Patrol were all notified and assisted by searching their jurisdictions.
Gatewood Elementary School and other area schools were able to account for all their students.
After all leads were exhausted a small contingent of Seattle Police officers remained at the school until it closed at 6:00 p.m. Officers and detectives will continue to investigate and follow up on any clues or leads they receive.
The vehicle in question was described as a silver full-sized pickup truck, single cab without a canopy and dark tinted windows. The vehicle’s driver was described as a white male in his 30’s to 40’s with short black hair at the back of the head transitioning to brown in the middle and blond longer hair at the front, and wearing a thigh length black robe or coat. The girl seen with him was described as a white female in her teens wearing a pink top.
Anyone with information about this incident or who may have any video or camera footage pertaining to this incident, the area or the vehicle or persons in question is asked to call 911 or Seattle Police and refer to this incident. Anonymous tips are welcome.
This remains an active and on-going investigation.