MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Local gun shops worried they could be targeted by looters

Jun 1, 2020, 8:01 AM | Updated: 9:01 am

Bellevue mall, looters...

An entrance to Bellevue Square Mall is seen after looting took place on May 31.(Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)

(Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)

Looters hit every type of store imaginable during weekend riots. They even stole liquor and cheesecakes from Cheesecake Factories in Seattle and Bellevue. Now, local businesses are worried that gun shops could be targeted next.

Cleanup efforts begin in Seattle, Bellevue in wake of Sunday protests

At least one local pawn shop believes the guns and ammunition inside her store are enough of a target, with armed community members now guarding her Bonney Lake business.

Melissa Denny owns Pistol Annie’s pawn shop. She said the concern started when social media posts hinted that rioters and looters would be heading to the suburbs. That led to information that gun shops might be potential targets.

“We spoke to the sergeant on duty and spoke with our chief of police, and we’ve talked with our mayor,” Denny said. “They had a large police presence in front of the Target here because of the intelligence they had, and they thanked us for doing our part.”

“We’ve also been contacted by different law enforcement that we work with, and it was all confirmed,” she added. “It wasn’t rumor and speculation.”

That ran counter to a statement from Bonney Lake Police Chief Bryan Jeter, who told KIRO Radio that he is “not aware of that intelligence,” and is “not sure where that info came from.”

You will find about 30 armed citizens outside Denny’s shop right now. Last night, it was about a hundred.

“They are standing guard to make sure that the guns and ammunition inside the store stay inside the store,” Denny said.

Photos: Looting distracts from peaceful protests in Seattle, Bellevue

It started with friends and customers and just grew from there. Denny said the group plans to stay until they believe the threat has passed.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

2 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

6 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

8 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

9 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

9 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

12 hours ago

Local gun shops worried they could be targeted by looters