Sunday evening at the Don Armeni Boat Launch was marked by a familiar pattern of chaos that turned frightening for nearby residents.

Around 8:15 PM, Tom, a 14-year resident of Harbor Avenue, called 911 to report a gathering of cars spinning tires and creating excessive noise. Just ten minutes later, at 8:25 PM, an unidentified object struck and shattered his living room window while multiple mortars and fireworks were being fired in the vicinity.

The impact broke the outer pane of his 3.5-by-4.5-foot double-pane window, causing Tom and his family to hit the floor in fear that they were being shot at. 

The case number for the report filed regarding the broken window is 26-93133.

Repair costs for the damage are estimated at $2,000. While the specific cause of the break remains unconfirmed, the incident occurred during a "meetup" of 10 to 50 cars—a recurring issue Tom says has dominated the neighborhood every weekend from spring through fall for years.

A Pattern of Problems

This latest disturbance fits into a long-standing struggle between the community and groups using the boat launch for illegal activities. Last spring, a Safety Meeting held at the Alki Bathhouse resulted in the installation of more speed bumps and a restriction of parking at the viewpoint north of the boat launch. Tom, who participated in the push for these changes, noted that while the parking restrictions were helpful, the rowdiness simply remains concentrated at the park itself.

In 2025, Seattle Parks and Recreation implemented significant changes to the Don Armeni Boat Launch:

• Reduced Hours: The ramp’s closing time was shortened from 11:30 PM to 10 PM to allow SPD to clear the lot nightly.
• Enforcement: Gates were added to both entrances to enforce these hours.
• Paid Parking: Formalized fees were introduced ($12 per day or $150 for an annual permit), though the Discover Pass is not accepted.

Police Response and Resident Frustrations

Despite these measures and a general increase in police presence, residents report that enforcement remains a challenge. On Sunday night, it took 25 minutes for police to arrive after the window was broken. Although four or five police units eventually arrived to clear the lot, many participants fled just before they arrived, potentially alerted by scanner apps.

Tom expressed frustration that participants often feel emboldened to ignore the law. "The police show up... and they'll shoot off fireworks and mortars while the police are sitting there with their lights on," he said, noting he rarely sees individuals cited for illegal behavior.

The neighborhood continues to deal with the aftermath of these gatherings, ranging from trash and broken bottles to more severe incidents. Just two nights before the window was broken, a separate DUI investigation was launched after a driver flipped their vehicle and totaled Tom's specialized wheelchair van, a loss estimated between $80,000 and $100,000.

As of 2026, the boat launch hours remain 4 AM to 10 PM. While signage is maintained despite repeated vandalism, residents like Tom continue to call for more consistent police presence and earlier gate closures to ensure the safety of the neighborhood.

There were multiple window‑shooting incidents along Harbor Avenue SW in 2025, all within a few blocks of Don  Armeni  Boat  Launch.

Documented cases:

• September 10, 2025: Gunfire from Don  Armeni  Park struck an apartment building in the 1300  block of Harbor  Ave  SW, shattering at least  six  windows. SPD found shell casings in the boat‑launch parking lot and confirmed no injuries.

• October 2, 2025: Three  weeks later, bullets again pierced apartment windows farther south near Harbor  Flats  (3400 block).  Witnesses described an exchange of gunfire between a  gray  sedan and a person on foot; three units were hit, one resident’s air‑conditioner was struck.

• Additional reports: SPD and local outlets logged several “shots‑fired” calls in the same corridor, including one where a  window was shot out near Harbor  Ave  SW and  SW  Spokane St.

All those incidents occurred late at night, typically between 11 PM and 1 AM, and involved stray rounds rather than targeted attacks. No injuries were reported, but property damage was significant enough that building managers installed temporary coverings and reinforced glass afterward.