SPD has posted a brief on the arrest

A resident police say was waving a gun in traffic and suffering a mental health crisis in the 14th and Union incident was taken into custody Saturday as they attempted to stage what they said was a Black Lives Matter protest against a planned development at the intersection.

“I want to make a stand for Black lives and this housing community,” the suspect reportedly told police as officers arrived at the scene at 14th and Union just after 1 PM Saturday.

According to the SPD report on the arrest, officers responded to the afternoon incident after multiple reports of a woman waving a gun in traffic in the area. Arriving officers found the suspect with what appeared to be a Black Lives Matter sign and fanny packs wrapped around their shoulders in the middle of the street after parking their vehicle in the intersection and getting out:

Officer Harmon and I kept approximately 100 yards distance due to there being a report of a firearm and waited for additional units. Officer Harmon and I saw what appeared to be a firearm in S/XXX’s right hand. S/XXX was waving her right arm around, directing traffic with her left arm, and “flagging” multiple individuals in the area. Due to it being 1317 on a Saturday, in downtown Seattle, there was approximately 100 people in the area on foot, and various cars and buses attempting to utilize the roadway. Officer Harmon and I attempted to contact S/XXX via our in-car PA System. Officer Harmon was instructing S/XXX to place the firearm on the ground and walk West on E Union St towards our location. S/XXX stated she wanted us to meet her in the middle. Officer Harmon and I witnessed S/XXX place the firearm back in the vehicle, in the rear passenger seat. S/XXX was stating she was there to stage a new movement for Black Live Matter as well as stop the new construction in the parking lot at 1321 E Union St.

Police were able to secure the pistol from the vehicle and eventually talked the suspect into handing over the packs which contained another 9 MM pistol. Police also recovered boxes of ammunition and said there was a bullet chambered plus a full magazine in one of the guns.

“S/XXX was very emotional stating she did not want to be shot and just wanted to be heard,” one of the arresting officers reports. “S/XXX stated she just wanted to stage a protest regarding her new movement as well as construction that was being done at her residence.”

CHS reported here on the plans for the new Heartwood Apartments affordable housing project getting the go ahead after a Hearing Examiner appeal over access to handicapped parking provided in the parking lot of the neighboring Helen V apartments. Both buildings are Community Roots Housing developments.

Police say the 38-year-old suspect was taken to King County Jail. According to Seattle Municipal Court records, they have pleaded not guilty to a charge of “unlawful use of weapon to intimidate another” and have been ordered to surrender any firearms.

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