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Phoenix Jones sets the record straight on a recent Belltown shooting in an interview with John Curley. (Owen Murphy/97.3 KIRO FM photo)

Phoenix Jones recounts gunfire in Belltown, deflects credit

BY Josh Kerns  on January 5, 2012 @ 8:59 am (Updated: 11:34 am - 1/5/12 )

The video is dramatic; gunfire rings out as self-appointed Seattle superhero Phoenix Jones and his crew chase after the shooter amidst a bustling Belltown on New Year's Eve. While a fellow super is claiming credit for the guy's ultimate arrest, crime fighting controversy is brewing as Phoenix disputes the claims in an interview with 97.3 KIRO FM's John Curley .

He was on patrol with his crew of eight, including a guest superhero from Oakland who goes by the name Motormouth, when suddenly they heard a spray of gunfire.

On the video, you can see and hear the excited reaction as they run toward the scene, armed with two new $10,000 bat-shaped bulletproof shields.

"Wait a second, where did you get $10,000?!" asked an incredulous Curley.

Turns out, the shields were donated and they came in handy. "We sort of formed a wall and everybody got behind," said Phoenix.

Curley wonders how the other six people without a shield felt about running toward gunfire, but that's another story for another day.

The real story is the controversy that ensued. Motormouth claimed in an interview with SF Weekly he was able to count the number of shots fired, determined the gunman was out of bullets and then rushed him, forcing him to surrender.

But Phoenix said it was a very different story.

"Motor never ran up to the guy," Phoenix said. "It's not because we're superheroes, it's because because eight guys were running toward him."

Phoenix credits Seattle Police for responding within 45 seconds.

As for Motor's claims he counted bullets? "I am going to say that I've made that mistake before," recounted Phoenix of a time he went after an armed man and thought he'd already fired six shots.

"So after the sixth one, I stood up to run toward him and he goes "Bam!"...'that's number seven,' "Bam!" 'that's number eight.' And by the time he got to me I thought I was going to die. That's when I found out certain revolvers have eight," laughed Jones.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (3)


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  • darthclown wrote...
    I think these superheros are probably nuts
    January 5, 2012 11:18 am
    but I love the idea that citizens are taking an active part in cleaning up the streets. Back in my New York days, I was a big supporter of the Guardian Angels patrolling the subways. Citizens demand safe streets, getting involved is part of the process. I'm not advocating for everyone to run toward the gunfire, that's way outside the realm of sanity for most people. However, we need to stop looking the other way. Take pictures, take video, scream, shout, jump up and down yelling, "There's a crime over here!" If you're allowed, carry a gun. But STOP letting the animals win. I don't always trust cops, but right now, they're the best defense we got. And we can make them better by taking an active part in our own safety.
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  • CH wrote...
    Gun in one hand, Bible in the other. That's my party . . . .
    January 5, 2012 5:36 pm
    Almost makes you want to move to ring my bell town. A plug for Dumb and Dunber(R&D).
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  • CH wrote...
    Sorry Don . . . .
    January 5, 2012 5:40 pm
    wrong key 'M' not N.
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