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November 06, 2009

Breaking news in the hunt for the killer of Officer Timothy Brenton. Central District News is heading to the scene:


There's a massive police response down in Tukwila, where Tukwila police are reporting that a "person of interest" in Officer Brenton's shooting was shot by police while they were there serving a warrant.

This started about 25 minutes after the conclusion of Brenton's memorial at Key Arena.

TV chopper coverage is showing a covered vehicle in the parking lot of the apartment complex where today's shooting occurred, and it appears to be of the shape and size of a Datsun 210, the suspect vehicle in the Halloween shooting.

SPD homicide personnel are said to be on the scene in Tukwila, but so far SPD isn't talking about what might be going on.

More as we get it.

The Seattle Times is reporting the suspect was shot in the head by Seattle Police. Reports are that the suspect has been transported to Harborview.

SeattleCrime.com is reporting that the man who was shot has died. survived.

Tukwila police say two other people have been taken into custody in the incident.


November 06, 2009

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 possibility of Meehan replacing then–Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske, who was selected by the Obama administration to be the “drug czar,” overseeing the country’s drug-control policy.

“I would be overjoyed to see another ex-East Precinct Commander (Mike Meehan) as the Seattle Police Chief, but suspect he’ll have to work his way up the ranks a bit first,” said Andrew Taylor, a writer on the blog. “He’s very smart, thoughtful and good with the public. And he’s very tall!”

Meehan also made it into our recent history of East Precinct bosses where the then-commander was quoted as having said this in 2004:


“I say this laughingly, but I told my boss that my intention is to stay here until the day I retire. I'll stay here as long as they allow me to stay. I am very happy to be at the East Precinct.”

Meehan left the EP commander role in 2006.

Mike Meehan (Photo: SPD)
tags: SPD
November 06, 2009

CHS will be covering the memorial procession to honor Seattle Police Department officer Timothy Brenton as it passes across Capitol Hill this morning. The more than 1,000 vehicles and thousands of police, fire and emergency personnel expected to participate in the procession leave the University of Washington's Husky Stadium parking lot starting at 9 AM. They are expected to begin passing through the Capitol Hill area after 10 AM on their way to Key Arena where the memorial will be held.

Watch this post for updates and pictures from the procession. Our news partner the Seattle Times is also updating an interactive map and timeline of today's events . You can watch live video coverage from KING-5 here .

UPDATE:

Photo: Scott Durham/Central District News

Central District News has coverage of the memorial ceremony at Key Arena . You can also check out photos of the procession's path through the CD here .


November 06, 2009

It's been a long time since Seattle's last big shake had everybody diving under desks and thinking about being more prepared for emergencies. If you were here for the Nisqually earthquake in 2001, you'll be happy to know that we apparently got lucky. These scientists say 'the big one' might end up being even bigger than previously thought when it finally strikes the city.

All of this toward freaking you out a a bit and encouraging you to give serious thought to attending a community meeting on disaster preparedness this Saturday -- or, at least, getting prepared on your own.


The Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare group is bringing its seminar to the Capitol Hill library Saturday at 10:30 AM. You'll learn how to be prepared as an individual -- and as a community -- for emergencies big and small and, yes, even snowy.

The SNAP group has also been working with community groups in the city to prepare neighborhood disaster response plans for the areas. Where on Capitol Hill will people gather in the event of a major catastrophe that destroys homes and apartment buildings? That's the kind of thing you might want to have a plan for as a community. As an individual, much of it is as simple as making sure you have the phone numbers and e-mail addresses of your neighbors and extra water.

And being prepared on Capitol Hill is an especially good idea. WARNING: More freak-you-out stuff follows. At a recent meeting of the Capitol Hill Community Council, Seattle Office of Emergency Management's Mark Howard said Capitol Hill's older homes are a big concern in a significant earthquake. Howard said older houses on the Hill are often not attached securely to their foundations and the risk is that they will collapse in the event of a strong earthquake. Howard said the most vulnerable area of Capitol Hill is the west side along I-5 where there is also the risk of landslides. Freak-out stuff over.

With that as inspiration, for you do-it-yourselfers, here are some SNAP resources linked to from the Seattle Office of Emergency Management Web site:


SNAP Meeting Packet Items for Shelter and Special Needs, Communications and Damage Assessment:

SNAP Drills:

Special Medical Needs (PDF)

Store Emergency Water for Disasters (PDF)

Supply Kits

  • Storing Emergency Water (PDF)
  • November 05, 2009

    A wind-driven lightning and hailstorm that quickly passed across the city also rumbled across Capitol Hill late tonight. The storm arrived on Capitol Hill around 10:42 if you believe Twitter -- about 5 minutes after reports started spreading across the social messaging service's Tweets from the West Seattle area. In the 15-minute window around the storm's coming and going, there were 1,267 Tweets about 'thunder' in the Seattle area.

    Here's what a few of you had to say about it:

    Madmen_icon_normal
    interactiver: Holy crap! Hail on Capitol Hill!
    Seattle, WA
    Me5_normal
    moohaha: Seattle Cap Hill: huge lightening + thunder. Cloud covered Space Needle in <5 min. Now it's hailing
    SEATTLE
    41197wssfkl
    eliranderson: Wicked hail storm on Cap Hill.
    Seattle, WA, USA

    Power on the Hill is still on (fingers crossed) but there are reports of outages in Leschi and Queen Anne was dark earlier this evening. The Western Washington forecast says to expect more of the same blustery wet weather through Friday and into Saturday.

    Here's a video of the heavy downpour from Cheesecake:

    Rainstorm in Seattle - Nov 5 09 from David Albright on Vimeo.

    November 05, 2009

    Consider this your Friday morning, crowd-source Capitol Hill transportation bulletin. With all due respect to the officer and the department Friday's memorial procession honors, there is a lot of confusion about transportation in the Capitol Hill area as the streets will be blocked and Metro's buses delayed and rerouted. Metro's bulletin on the service disruptions lacks specifics and the promised reroute information has not been posted as of 10:45 PM. It's for a good cause -- we'll just need to make the best of it. UPDATE: Seattle Transit Blog has reroute info.

    So, why not harness social media for something a little more useful? Might still leave this post in place given likelihood things won't be smooth. Please post your experiences, questions and tips here in the comments or to Twitter with the hashtag #caphillbus so they automagically appear in the post.


    Metro Bulletin
    Expect significant delays and some transit reroutes during this time.

    Affected buses may be delayed at other points along their routes as well.

    If your Friday travel plans take you through these areas, give yourself plenty of time, travel before 8:00 AM or after 1:00 PM, or be prepared for significant delays.

    Metro will not be able to tell you when specific buses will arrive at or depart from specific locations.

    Additional information, including planned reroutes and a Queen Anne Hill shuttle, is being prepared and will be available online at www.kingcounty.gov/metro by Thursday evening.



    View Brenton Memorial Procession in a larger map

    November 05, 2009

    Our partner site SeattleCrime.com is reporting tonight on a large police and Metro sheriff response at Bellevue and Pine around 8:15 PM.


    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.

    tags:
    November 05, 2009

    A reminder that tomorrow morning's procession to honor Seattle Police Department officer Timothy Brenton will cross Capitol Hill and pass by East Precinct headquarters at 12th and Pine. The precinct HQ will likely be a congregation area for many to observe the procession and pay their respects to the fallen officer. Seattle University has encouraged students to gather there and along the route which will enter the Hill from Madison, down Pine past the East Precinct to Broadway and then, down Denny on its way to Key Arena.

    SPD has asked for the public's assistance in solving the Halloween night murder of the veteran officer and has released pictures from police car cameras that show the suspect's car and also made an extensive psychological profile of the suspect available.

    CHS will be moving along the Capitol Hill portion of the route and broadcasting pictures and updates to the site from the streets. We'll also feature coverage from Central District News and our news partner, The Seattle Times.

    Parking will not be allowed along the route and bus service will be 'disrupted,' Metro says. The agency did not list specific delays or reroutes but said to expect both if you are traveling in the area of the procession which stretches from Montlake to Key Arena.


    SPD announcement about the procession:


    During the procession, which is expected to last from 9:00 a.m. to noon, other traffic will not be allowed on the route and will not be allowed to cross it. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers to expect severe congestion near its path, especially as mourners are also anticipated along its course.

    The memorial procession will use the following route: begins at the University of Washington’s E-1 parking lot; south on Montlake Blvd NE to 24th Ave E; south on 24th to 23rd Ave E; south on 23rd to E Madison St; west on Madison to E Pine St; west on Pine to Broadway; north on Broadway to E Denny Way; west on Denny to 1st Ave N; north on 1st to Key Arena. Staging will begin in the E-1 parking lot (north of Husky Stadium on Montlake Blvd NE) beginning at approximately 8:00 a.m.



    View Brenton Memorial Procession in a larger map

    Parking will not be allowed along the route and temporary “No Parking” signs will be emplaced. Officers from the Seattle Police Department will manage all intersections for the procession.

    November 05, 2009

    Here are the latest totals from King County Elections and the state for the mayor's race and R-71. You can see all the races here. Make sure to track your ballot to make sure it's been counted. See a problem? Contact the elections office:  http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/aboutus/contactus.aspx

    Various news sources are calling the R-71 race over -- here's what Publicola had to say about the victory. Congratulations to everybody on the Hill who worked so hard on the campaign.




     

     

    November 05, 2009

    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.

    Murder suspect profile; vehicle of interest images

    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.

    Original Post:
    Seattle police are looking for a Datsun B210 car similar to this one shown in an online car advertisement. The vehicle may be connected with the shooting death of Seattle Police officer Tim Brenton .

    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.

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