By Tim Clifford

Boozy gunman on Delridge
Death threats and gun brandishing killed the vibe at a bar located on the 9400 block of Delridge WY S.W. just after 9 p.m. on Feb.18. The suspect is described as a white male in his early 40’s, standing about 6’2, with dark blonde hair, an east coast accent and a penchant for wearing black beret hats.

Earlier in the evening the suspect had come into the bar, already drunk, and went from customer to customer aggressively challenging them to step outside. At least two patrons were challenged to a fight and threatened that if they refused they would be attacked at the bar. One witness told police that the suspect had briefly sat next to him and confided in him “I’m a hired killer” and “I just cut them up”.

The bartender overheard the suspect’s threats and stories and told him to leave the bar immediately. After a short argument the suspect stepped outside and seemed to be leaving peacefully.

However as the suspect was walking away he pulled out a silver handgun and began tapping the barrel on the glass window at the front of the bar, pointing the gun at the bartender and the patrons he had just harassed. While the bartender was calling the police the suspect began sauntering northbound on Delridge. As she was speaking with dispatchers the bartender informed them she was sure she could hear gunshots from down the street.

When officers arrived they conducted an area search and were told by some witnesses that the suspect had driven off in a dark colored SUV. The bartender also told officers that she had seen car keys in the suspect’s hand. Officers located a dark colored SUV with a man inside about a block away but a witness came by and confirmed that this man was not the suspect. The suspect remains at large.

Out of funds and on the attack
“Black guy” and the sounds of a violent struggle were all that dispatchers could make out of a call on Feb. 22 from the 7-11 on the 9000 block of Delridge WY S.W. just before 7 p.m. Police were sent to the location while dispatchers listened in on the open line and provided updates.
When the officers arrived they found the clerk badly shaken and speaking with his manager with packs of Newport Cigarettes littering the floor.
Speaking with the victim officers were told that the suspect, a black male in his 30’s, standing 6’0, and wearing a black beanie, black pants and black coat had entered the store and asked for a pack of cigarettes. After the suspect swiped his card to pay for the smokes the credit reader displayed that he had insufficient funds.
When the clerk told the suspect that he didn’t have enough money to buy the cigarettes the suspect became angry and leapt over the counter and attacked him. After kicking the clerk and wrestling with him on the ground the suspect grabbed at least 10 packs of Newports and ran away northbound on Delridge.
Photos of the injuries the victim sustained were taken and surveillance footage of the attack was handed over to police. The victim told the officers that he has sold cigarettes to the suspect in the past but does not remember his name. The suspect remains at large.

Crimes reported between Feb. 20 and Feb. 27

Burglaries by block: 5400 block of 35 Ave. S.W., 8100 block of 31 Ave. S.W., 4500 block of S.W. Wildwood Pl., 9200 block of 45 Ave. S.W., 3000 block of S.W. Roxbury St., 9400 block of 8 Ave. S.W., 9400 block of Olson Pl. S.W., 10400 block of 39 Ave. S.W.

Car prowls by block: 3100 block of Alki Ave. S.W. (2 reported), 3000 block of Belvidere Ave. S.W., 5000 block of 37 Ave. S.W., 5400 block of 37 Ave. S.W., 8000 block of Fauntleroy WY S.W.

Car thefts by block: 3000 block of Belvidere Ave. S.W., 1700 block of Alki Ave. S.W., S.W. Raymond St. / 29 Ave. S.W., 9200 block of 12 Ave. S.W.