Here is an eyewitness account from a woman who says she and her child were within 15 feet of the victim in Friday night's E. Union shooting. She describes the moment the victim was shot and his struggle to get back on his feet before falling back to the pavement. We're re-posting the report but are redacting her name and her family members' first names even though she posted the information publicly. We are also not linking to the page where she posted this information.
So Fri night, the night before my birthday, I was walking to the store at about 6 pm to meet [redacted] and get some groceries. I made it out of my house a couple of blocks, with [redacted] in the stroller. when all of a sudden, about 10-15 feet in front of us, we saw someone get shot 4-5 times point blank, and then a black car drove off very fast.
The guy that was shot fell to the ground, and got up and then fell down again. Some other people were near me on the sidewalk and they went to help the guy. I headed straight back for home as quickly as possible to get [redacted] safe since some psycho shooter was driving around the neighborhood.
I call the police and told them what i saw as i was going home. they said they would send a medic, and i heard a ton of sirens. i also kept telling people who were walking that way to look out because someone was just shot. I didnt know if the shooter was going to come back again or not.
As I was sitting at home waiting for my fiance to get home, I saw helicopters above our apt building looking down on the crime scene. then i saw a short piece about the shooting on the news. The police called me and asked if they could come over and talk to me about what happened. When they got here, they said they think it might end up being a homicide, the guy was in bad shape when he was sent to harborview hospital i guess.
I am not sure if he lived or not...the police said they will probably want me to come in and do a written statement, and a taped statement. Oh the joys of being a good citizen :-P Hope I dont have to go in... And I really hope the guy didnt die...
Im so glad [redacted] and I are ok, and Im so glad I didnt leave the house a few seconds sooner, or we would have been in the range of bullets...
[redacted]~
The victim was taken to Harborview with life-threatening injuries. There has been no update on his condition. Police are still looking for the suspected shooter. He is described as a white male driving a black, late model Mercedes Benz. He was wearing a red shirt at the time of the shooting. Anybody with information is encouraged to call 911.
Capitol Hill Seattle has been alerted to an apparent shooting near the intersection of Union and Boylston. At 5:55 PM, emergency units were dispatched to 702 E Union St. for an assault with weapons response.
We received the following e-mail from an eyewitness:
Shooting on Union between Boylston and Harvard. One guy shot, was conscious and speaking when police arrived.
6:48PM
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Shooting reported at Union and Boylston
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A stretch of Union is cordoned off tonight as police investigate an apparent shooting in a parking lot next to an apartment building at the corner of Union and Boylston.
7:12PM
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Wrist Watch
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A man at the scene who said he was the person to call 911 said the victim told him the shooter wanted his wrist watch. The man told CHS the victim was shot in the upper chest. The victim told the man that the shooter was a white male driving a black Mercedes Benz.
7:14PM
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Drive by
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Another witness at the scene said an officer told her the incident was a 'drive by' shooting and that police were looking for a Mercedes Benz that may be involved.
The man who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to likely spend the rest of his life in prison for stabbing Capitol Hill resident Shannon Harps to death now claims he was coerced to confess to the murder, CHS partner SeattleCrime.com has learned:
James Anthony Williams, who received a 35 year sentence for the the brutal slaying of Shannon Harps outside of her Capitol Hill apartment on New Years Eve in 2007, is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea and is asking the court to provide him with new legal counsel.
Williams on the day of his May 2009 sentencing (Photo: chrisdaniels5)
In court documents filed in King County Superior Court earlier this month, Williams claims he was "compelled...to plead guilty." While documents show Williams apparently believed he was in physical danger while in jail, prosecutors—who, naturally, are opposing Williams' motion—contend Williams made numerous declarations of his own guilt, prior to entering his plea.
SeattleCrime.com reports that prosecutors are citing multiple statements by Williams "that his plea was solely motivated by the fact that he was guilty" in their response to the claims.
Williams originally pleaded not guilty to the crime in February of 2008 and his mental competency was questioned. But after treatment at mental health facility Western State Hospital, Williams was determined fit to stand trial. The defendant then pleaded guilty and was subsequently sentenced to 35 years in prison. This is what prosecutors told CHS at the time of the sentencing about Williams' decision to plead guilty:
[Williams] pled as charged after our office worked to have him restored to competency to stand trial for the murder by sending him to Western State Hospital. He pled not guilty at arraignment in 2008 because every criminal defendant will enter a not guilty plea in order to consult with their attorney, discuss the various options they have and then chose either to plead, negotiate or fight the charge by gong to trial. Mr. Williams at first did not appear competent. The court sent him to Western State Hospital for evaluation at the request of the state and defense. He was found initially not-competent and then Western State doctors restored his competency. Mr. Williams returned to court and indicated he wanted to plead guilty as charged, which he did.
SeattleCrime.com reports that, along with his claims of a coerced confession, Williams also says his attorneys did not adequately represent him during trial and has requested new counsel.
Williams was convicted of murdering Harps in a bloody attack as the 31-year-old was about to enter her residence near 15th and Howell on the last night of 2007.
Here is the latest batch of reports from the East Precinct for the first weeks of November. We also recently reported on the rash of car break-ins plaguing the area with a map of Hill car prowl hotspots.
We have created a new section in our forums for community Crime Reports if you see something or have something happen to you that you think the Hill needs to know about.
6-string thief: Sometime early this month, a person kicked in the door of a practice studio at 11th Ave's Chop House and took a 1970 Gibson L6S electric guitar. According to the very detailed report, the guitar has a natural wood finish with a custom Humbucker pickup installed near the bridge along with a custom three-way switch.
Wrongfully accused man attacks with umbrella: A man was detained after struggling with a police officer outside of the Harvard QFC following an incident involving the man and QFC security. Late on Friday, Novemeber 6, store security believed the man had stolen a can of beer from the store but the follow-up investigation by the police officer determined that the man had the can of beer in his pocket prior to entering the store but became angry when he was accused and began assaulting people with his umbrella. The man was released following an interview at East Precinct.
Two-TV burglary: On Monday, November 2 around 10 AM, a man was spotted leaving a house and walking down E. Republican near 21st Ave carrying a TV under each arm to load into his car. A neighbor called police but the man was gone by the time the officer arrived. The officer found a basement window that had been broken out giving the burglar access to the house. No suspect description was provided in the report.
Leash law: A man entered a 10th Ave E doctor's office on November 4th and threatened staff saying, "I'll punch you in the head." He had also been observed trying to tackle people and standing in the street stopping traffic kicking at cars and trying to knock over a motorcycle. The man eventually left the office after somebody inside brought their dog out for protection. When the officer arrived, the man was shirtless, on his hands and knees and growling at the dog. The man was taken into custody and booked into King County Jail for assault (12A.06.010), Pedestrian Interference (12A.12.015), Harassment 12A.06.040, and Criminal Trespass 1st (12A.08.040.B).
Bad drugs: Late on Sunday, November 1, a man reported being assaulted after "trying to buy weed" near Volunteer Park at 17th and Republican. The man had contusions and swelling on both sides of face. He was also extremely inebriated, according to the report. He could not describe his attacker beyond identifying him as the man he was trying to buy drugs from due to his condition.
E. Olive burglary: A burglary of a home in the 700 block of E. Olive Way netted $2,300 in ill-gotten goods on November 4.
3-car haul on Summit: A break-in at a residential parking garage in the 1600 block of Summit Ave netted the thief two prowled automobiles and a stolen 2008 VW Beetle used as a getaway mobile. There were no witnesses and no suspect has yet been identified, according to the report.
Liberty theft: Finally, cleaning up with one from October we missed. A man can be seen on security video footage walking behind the bar at 15th Ave's Liberty and grabbing cash early in the morning of October 27. Staff at the bar said that $160 in tips and another $120 in cash from a wallet was stolen by the man who is described as a black male, 5'5", 130 pounds with "three days of facial hair growth, with short black hair, a pierced left eyebrow, and a pierced tongue with a blue ring in it," according to the report. The report says a staff member told officers the man said he was "from the Central District area of Seattle, had been born at University Hospital, and had a sister named [redacted] who was a stripper."
UPDATE: It was discovered the woman had not been shot and called in a false report, according to Seattle Police Department spokesperson Sean Whitcomb.
Original report: Police and emergency crews responded to an apartment in 2000 block of E. John this morning after a woman called 911 to report she'd been shot in the leg, according to a dispatcher's report broadcast to emergency personnel. Officers were seeking two male suspects involved with the shooting. The woman was transported to Harborview. We do not have information on her condition at this time.
I am trying to help my friend who was a victim of auto crime. Her car got broken into last night, Nov. 13, at the corner of Union and 11th. She lost her Coach tote bag with some important documents and a hard drive inside. All she wants are the things that have very little value to anyone. If you are out there, please take the cash and the bag but please send all other things back to her. I know it's really rare that a criminal would read a neighborhood blog, but I don't have other ideas. Thank you
The chances are very slim that Phobia's friend will get her stuff back but the incident can do some good. You can take a lesson from this and make sure you remove anything and everything of value -- and, really, everything -- from your car.
While we don't have the stats, we do have a powerful new tool we're continuing to build on at our partner site SeattleCrime.com.
Here's a map of the last 30-days of reported car prowls in the Capitol Hill area.
Locations are approximate -- we only get block locations from SPD -- but you can see the Hill hot spots. And, of course, for every prowl reported, there are probably three that somebody didn't bother to call in.
I am sorry to hear that your friend lost her valuables.
My car was broken into a few weeks ago, 13th and Mercer, and thankfully nothing of value was taken, but the interior had been thoroughly torn apart in what was probably a quick, expert manner. I posted a note about it in my building, and learned that the same had happened up and down the block to many, many cars.
Yes, there were visible bags (of paper to recycle, nothing of value!) in my car that may have led them to bother breaking into my car.
Lesson learned: my car is now fastidiously empty and will remain so. People are desperate and while you can't stop them from breaking into your car, you can lessen the probability that they'll bother with your car by keeping it visibly empty.
just want to give a heads up, one of my friends was mugged at Pine between 23 and 24th just two nights ago. copys say it's been a string of muggings in the area. a group of teenage boys and one girl hide in the bushes and then knock down the victim.
We'll see what we can find out about the report of a 'string of muggings' -- did find this incident at the end of September in which a pizza delivery employee was robbed near the location of this report.
Three days after police shot and arrested Christopher J Monfort for allegedly murdering officer Timothy Brenton on Halloween, police appear to know who did it, how the attack was carried out, where Monfort spent his days leading up to and after the shooting, and when his plans started to take shape. But it still appears that police don’t know precisely why it happened.
At a press conference at SPD headquarters this afternoon, the department released a flurry of information about their suspect, and showed a video of the last known encounter between Seattle police and Christopher Monfort, two weeks before he allegedly pulled up alongside of Officer Brenton and Officer Britt Sweeney’s patrol car on Halloween, and opened fire.
In the video, recorded on a patrol car dash cam, police follow Monfort—driving a green Crown Victoria, possibly a decommissioned law enforcement vehicle—through the Central District on October 15th, a half-dozen blocks from where Officer Brenton was shot and killed...
A purse snatcher tried to ruin this man's Halloween by snagging his bag from his gorilla-suited paws. All the thief made off with was the man's car keys. Props to the gorilla for finishing his night of fun before going to the fuzz.
On October 31st, 10:30 a.m. a man walked in to Duvall's apartment building on 10th Ave E and E Roy inquiring about renting an apartment. Duvall, prosecutors say, approached the man and threw a coffee mug full of bleach in the man's face
Five hours later, court records say Duvall, 40, approached a woman on 10th Avenue E and E Roy carrying two yellow tumblers. As he passed the woman, records say, he turned and threw bleach into the woman's face. Moments later, Duvall approached another man riding his bike on Roy Street and threw a cup of bleach in his face, and ran back into his building. Duvall's neighbors identified him to police, who took him in to custody.
SeattleCrime is the project of former Stranger reporter Jonah Spangenthal-Lee. In addition to the occasional crime news of the weird (see above), Jonah has been adding great reporting to the citywide coverage of the Tim Brenton murder investigation.
In addition to quality local journalism, SeattleCrime also has some pretty cool bells and whistles that we continue to work on. You'll be seeing more of these tools in our CHS crime reporting.
The SeattleCrime Map is especially useful. We're mapping 911 callouts, Central District News scanner reports and police reports from across the city. We're still refining and fixing things like enabling permalinks but it's already a pretty interesting tool. You can use it to drill down on any area in the city to see what from the crime files has been happening lately. Here's a view of recent automobile-related theft on Capitol Hill. Can't show you the trend yet -- but take my word for it, there's been a bump in the last few weeks with a mini-outbreak between Broadway and I-5 shores.
Welcome Jonah and his team to the Seattle Internet. Oh, and don't forget to remove your valuables from your car.
SPD is calling the killing of officer Timothy Brenton a case of 'domestic terrorism' and say they discovered a cache of weapons and explosives inside Christopher Monfort's Tukwila apartment.
Adding to the possibility that political motives were part of what drove the killer, a mystery clue found at both the scene of an arson that destroyed three police vehicles earlier in October and at 29th and Yesler where the SPD officer was gunned down on Halloween has been revealed. The clue? American flags left at both scenes.
Our newspartners at The Seattle Times are reporting that the "person of interest" in last weekend's police murder is in critical condition at Harborview with a wound to the head.
They've also proven that having sources and their phone numbers is much more productive than waiting for media briefings at crime scenes. As we reported earlier today, SPD detectives were in Tukwila to investigate a tip from a citizen in Officer Brenton's murder:
The person who tipped police to the car said the man had only recently covered it and had been acting bizarrely, according to a law enforcement source.
The wounded man apparently has no felony history. He had recently laid off from his job as a security guard, according to the source.
The shooting happened just as the memorial service for Brenton was ending at Seattle's KeyArena. Many of the officers who attended the memorial immediately left when they got word of the shooting, some rushing to Tukwila.
The Times is also reporting that two other men have been detained, and that...
With the investigation into the Halloween night murder of officer Timothy Brenton stretching into its sixth day, the Seattle Police Department is about to lose its newly appointed head of the Violent Crimes Section. Berkeley news sources are reporting that Seattle police captain Mike Meehan has been tabbed as the new police chief in the California city. According to the Berkeley Daily Planet, Meehan's appointment must still be confirmed by the Berkeley city council at its November 10th meeting.
Meehan, a former East Precinct commander, recently moved to take over Violent Crimes where he oversaw the Homicide, Robbery, CSI, Gang, Polygraph, Bias Crimes and Fugitive Units after a stint working in the Narcotics Section. He is a 23-year veteran officer according to this SPD blog post.
The Berkeley Planet story linked above also dug into the CHS archives for some insight into Meehan:
Comments on a Feb. 2009 blog catering to Seattle’s Capital Hill area [sic], a pre-dominantly gay neighborhood, discussed the...
According to a Seattlecrime.com tipster, there are about 20-25 police officers, and sheriffs deputies at Bellevue and Pine with guns drawn. A man is lying face down on the pavement, crying.
CHS hustled down there to find the scene breaking up and the bad guys already taken away. A deputy at the scene said the incident involved two men 'making bad decisions' in a Metro bus shelter but wouldn't elaborate.
"Kind of a big response," I said.
"Yeah, that's how things are," the deputy said. I also asked the three deputies huddling in the bus shelter where their jackets were on this rainy, windy night. In their cars, turns out.
We'll have to wait for more info from SPD or the sheriff on this one. The public information officers will be part of the memorial procession and event at Key Arena tomorrow and likely won't be available for comment until next week.
UPDATE: 4:25 PM At an afternoon conference, Seattle Police released pictures believed to capture the suspect's car before and after the shooting of officer Brenton. The also provided a psychological profile of the suspect included in this post below the photos after the jump.
About 20 minutes before the shooting, pictured near the site of Officers Sweeney and Brenton's previous traffic stop in the 300 block of MLK
This image shows the vehicle heading westbound at an unknown time through the intersection of 14th & Yesler
This un-timestamped image shows the vehicle on a hill in an unidentified part of town.
While I cannot discuss all of our current investigation details and methods, please know that we are working with local, state and federal agencies to process all of the forensic evidence. There is no technology or resource that is not or will not be fully exploited in order to identify the individual (or individuals) responsible for this crime. As we continue in our efforts, we are calling for the assistance of the public to help us identify this subject or this group. We believe this subject engaged in recognizable behaviors and activities prior to, during and after the commission of this crime. He likely possesses certain traits and characteristics that would be noted by those around him.
His skills in weapons use and close quarter techniques suggest prior training. He has likely practiced a great deal with weapons and those around him will note his abilities and interest in them. These skills may have been developed through previous employment or hobbies. In the days and weeks prior to the shooting, he may have increased his practice with weapons.
After the shooting, he may have disposed of, altered, hidden or repaired his vehicle in some form. This vehicle may have been damaged in the firefight. It is described as a 1980 to 1983 Datsun 210. It is important that if anyone has recently sold a vehicle of this type or had one stolen that they call Seattle Police at 206 233-5000.
After the homicide, he may have displayed uncharacteristic behavior, such as being silent and quiet about the shooting when others would have expected him to be outspoken about it. He may also display an uncharacteristic interest or even fascination in the news of the shooting. Regardless, the stress of this homicide may cause him to behave differently from his norm.
On Halloween night, October 31st, he was notably absent for a period of time, in the hours before midnight. If there are others who are a part of his life and aware of his routine, and this includes relatives, co-workers, friends or others, he will have had to provide a plausible explanation for this absence to them.
He likely has experienced a significant personal crisis in the recent past. This event may have been the death of a loved one, loss of job or status, divorce, financial hardship, or other failure. Whatever it is that is bothering him, he may often be outspoken about what he perceives to be a deeply personal grievance. We’d like to know what this grievance is. His grievance may relate to his employment or position in life. We do believe that although he shot a police officer, he may in fact admire them and even act like them.
He knows that there are very good officers, and Officer Tim Brenton was a very good officer who swore a solemn oath to protect our citizenry. We’d like to know why this person chose the Seattle Police Department as the target of his grievance.
While it may appear we are focusing on a sole male offender, we have not ruled out the possibility of this crime being committed by a small group. What I have been describing is the likely personality and behavior of the dominant individual behind this plan that has turned into a serious crime. In fact, there may be others involved in the planning or actual attack who may not have expected this incident to have become the murder of a good and innocent police officer. If there is such an individual he or she may be in fear for their own safety. We are willing to listen and help, if such an individual wishes to contact us about the killer.
Clearly, we are also willing to listen to the offender to better understand his grievance.
We ask the public to carefully consider the information provided above and consider whether or not they may know this offender or have noted behaviors or activities suggestive of involvement in this incident. Please contact the Police Department if you feel you may have information related to this crime, no matter how insignificant it may appear to you. You may contact us by the following ways: 206-233-5000, anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 206-343-2020 or through a text message by texting TIP486 with a message, then sending that to 274637 (CRIMES).
We also remind the public of the $105,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this investigation.
This photo was distributed by the Seattle Police Department in connection with the shooting death of Seattle Police officer Tim Brenton.
From SPD: Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call either 911 or the Seattle Police Homicide Unit at 206 684-5550, or the tipline at (206) 233-5000. Those wishing to remain anonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a text to CRIMES (274637). Your text message should include “TIP486″ to ensure proper routing. Calls are taken 24 hours a day.
According to the report, a man wearing a surgical mask, a black puffy jacket and a baseball hat entered Uncle Elizabeth's Internet Cafe at 1123 Pike St. just after 11:30 PM on Tuesday, October 13th. The cashier said the man coughed as he walked to the counter and ordered two bagels. As the man received his order, the cashier said the man slid a note across the counter.
"Buddy I ain't jokin," the man said, according to the report. The cashier said the note read, "I have a gun put it in the bag."
The cashier opened the cash registered and placed all of the cash from the drawer in to the bag with the bagels. The man grabbed the bag full of bagels and cash and the ransom note and left the cafe. After the man left, the cashier followed him into the street and saw the suspect get into a silver or...
East Precinct headquarters at 12th and Pine is draped with a black mourning bunting. An officer stands guard at the Bonney Watson funeral home on Broadway where the body of officer Timothy Brenton rests. Here's the latest from our news partners about the crime and the investigation seeking to bring Brenton's murderer to justice.
A procession of Seattle Police Department cruisers accompanied the ambulance carrying the body of 39-year-old Tim Brenton, the officer killed in last night's Central District shooting, as the vehicle made its way from Harborview to the Bonney Watson Funeral home on Broadway this afternoon.
An officer stands guard outside Bonney Watson (Photo by: Scott Durham/Central District News)
Central District News covered this afternoon's press conference where police and city officials discussed details of the Halloween murder and the bravery of police trainee Brit Sweeney, who survived the attack that took the life of her mentor:
Interim Chief John Diaz at today's briefing
A press conference with the mayor and Seattle police commanders just concluded, identifying the deceased victim as 39 year old Timothy Brenton, a Police Training Officer and member of the Seattle police force for 8 years. He leaves behind a wife and two children, 8 and 11 years old. He has worked his entire SPD career here in the East Precinct.
Police are working with the family to schedule a memorial service and funeral for Officer Brenton, but no date is available yet. Police work ran strong in Brenton's family. His father and uncle are also retired members of the Seattle Police force.
The second victim, 33 year old police trainee Britt Sweeney, was grazed in the shooting and is now resting at her home. Assistant Chief Pugel said "it was a miracle that she survived" the incident. Only six to seven months out of the academy, her performance during the shooting was described as that of "a tenured veteran," as she "not only called for help and backup, called for the fire department, but also got out and fired at the suspects."
Police undertook a massive manhunt Halloween eve searching for the suspect vehicle, described as a small gray or light colored car. Investigators are now reviewing video footage from multiple on-board police cameras. There is no suspect description at this time. A $20,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.
Mayor Greg Nickels announced that flags on city property will be flown at half-staff to honor Brenton. A memorial has formed at the shooting scene where people have been been leaving flowers.
It is with profound sadness that we must inform you that a Seattle Police Officer was killed in the line of duty last night. Officer Timothy Brenton, a Field Training Officer assigned to Third Watch, East Precinct, was shot to death while he and Student Officer Britt Sweeney, were parked in their patrol car in the 100 Block of 29th Avenue last night shortly after 10:00 p.m. The investigation thus far has shown that Officers Brenton and Sweeney had just completed a traffic stop and were discussing the stop as part of Officer Sweeney’s training. Their patrol car was parked facing southbound in the 100 Block of 29th Avenue on the west side of the street. Officer Sweeney was in the driver’s seat; Officer Brenton was in the front passenger seat. As they were discussing training, a vehicle, described as a light-colored small car, also travelling southbound, pulled up next to the patrol vehicle. The suspect(s) opened fire upon the officers. The bullets went by Officer Sweeney’s head, grazing her in the back of the neck and tearing her uniform shirt and vest. Bullets struck Officer Brenton in the head, killing him. The suspect vehicle then fled northbound on 29th Avenue. Officer Sweeney was able to exit the patrol car and return fire at the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle may have been struck. Officer Sweeney was able to get on the air and summon additional officers to the scene. Officer Sweeney’s performance was exemplary under the most stressful and horrific call imaginable.
There was a massive response from all points of the city and beyond. Patrol, detectives, and the Hospital Response Team all responded and provided support for officers and the families. Information is being developed as to possible suspect(s). SPD Homicide detectives are responsible for this investigation.
There is no other way to describe what occurred last night to Officers Brenton and Sweeney other than this was a deliberate act of murder. We have all the resources of the Department working on this investigation, and will not stop until we have those responsible answer for this heinous crime. We owe it to Officers Brenton and Sweeney, their families, ourselves and the community.
Officer Brenton was 39 years old and a 9-year veteran of the Department at the time of his death. He leaves behind a wife and two children. Officer Sweeney is 33 years old and a recent graduate of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center.
Funeral arrangements are being planned and more information will be forthcoming.
This is a profound tragedy and shock to our senses. We will take the time to grieve, reflect, and honor our fallen brother. The Department’s Crisis Incident Stress Management Team will be available for all those who request it.
The Department has set up a tip line for the public to provide information that may assist the investigation. That number is (206) 233-5000.
A bank account for Officer Timothy Brenton’s family is being set up at this time. We will provide more information when the details become available.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call either 911 or the Seattle Police Homicide Unit at 206 684-5550, or the tipline at (206) 233-5000. Those wishing to remain annonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a text to CRIMES (274637). Your text message should include “TIP486″ to ensure proper routing. If a tip leads to an arrest and the filing of charges, callers may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1,000. An additional $20,000 reward is being offered by the Seattle Police Officer’s Guild, for a total of $21,000. Calls are taken 24 hours a day.
Milnor's recognition comes as the City Attorney staffer has dealt with criticism of her handling of a community meeting with Pike/Pine club owners that left some feeling threatened and under attack by City Attorney Tom Carr and the East Precinct.
A thief stole a hidden Louis Vitton bag containing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from a north Capitol Hill home earlier this month, according to a Seattle Police Department report. The victim told police she had hidden the bag inside her home containing about $140,000 in jewelry and her passport. According to the report, nothing else in the St. Mark's-area residence was disturbed and police were planning to interview a list of five people who had access to the home.
Map shows general location
Recent East Precinct reports:
Woman mugged on Summit: Around 10 PM on Thursday, Oct. 15, a woman reported having her purse snatched. The thief dropped most of her property but did make off with her cell phone.
Poster arson report: Here's one of the reports for the recent poster fires that somebody is setting in the Pike/Pine area. SPD spokesperson Mark Jamieson said the cases are being investigated by the arson and bomb squad but he could not provide additional information on the investigation status...
Turns out, outgoing East Precinct commander Capt. Paul McDonagh agrees. At Thursday night's East Precinct Community Crime Prevention meeting, McDonagh said there has been no change in policy or focus in the Pike/Pine area.
"I apologize if there was a big misunderstanding," McDonagh said. "There's no change in the enforcement, there's no change in the policy direction."
"If there was perception that we're cracking down, we're not going to do that."
The accounts from some club owners about an October meeting detailed by the Stranger portrayed City Attorney liaison Tienney Milnor as threatening bars with increased oversight. The Stranger also reported that some bar owners feel that SPD have been 'harassing' bars on the Hill:
But since the meeting with Milnor, police officers have been harassing bars on Capitol Hill, according to witnesses. “I’ve always had nothing but a great experience with [the SPD] until this last couple weeks,” says one bar owner, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution.
"If John (McGoodwin) or Tienney made a mistake, then I truly apologize for that," McDonagh said. "It's going to continue like it has for the last two and a half years under my command."
Milnor was not in attendance at Thursday's community meeting. East Precinct Crime Prevention Coalition chair Stephanie Tschida said Milnor was not able to attend because she is out on leave following hip surgery.
