CRIME BLOTTER

‘It’s unreal:’ Gunmen shoot-up Burien home, killing woman in her 80s

Aug 28, 2024, 3:52 PM

Photo: A woman in Burien was killed after gunmen shot up her home....

A woman in Burien was killed after gunmen shot up her home. (Photo: James Lynch, KIRO Newsradio)

(Photo: James Lynch, KIRO Newsradio)

Neighbors in a cul-de-sac on South 130th Place in Burien said they were awakened by gunfire at about 12:20 a.m. on Wednesday.

“It sounded like a big pack of fireworks going off,” next-door neighbor Angel Cigarroa told KIRO Newsradio on Wednesday.

Police arrived and found dozens of shell casings on the street and nine bullet holes in the home.

“Deputies went in and located a female in her 80s,” King County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Brandyn Hull told KIRO Newsradio. “She had suffered at least one gunshot wound. They immediately started life-saving measures. Unfortunately, the female did not survive.”

Local crime: Will juvenile crime laws change after tragic Alderwood Mall murder?

The woman’s family said there were four men who fled the scene on foot. Deputies have very little information about the suspects or why the home was targeted.

Burien neighbors shocked by shooting in normally quiet neighborhood

There are six homes on the normally quiet cul-de-sac. Most neighbors were sleeping when the gunfire started.

“At that point, my husband jumped out the window to go check out the situation,” neighbor Caitlin O’Brien told KIRO Newsradio. “I just stayed inside with the kids. That’s all I saw.”

Neighbors said they hear about this kind of violence all the time but they never expected it to happen on their quiet cul-de-sac.

“This is a close community,” Cigarroa said. “We all know each other. We all get along. For something like this to happen a couple of doors down … It’s unreal.”

King County Sheriff’s deputies are asking anyone who knows anything about this shooting to call 911. Meanwhile, they want everyone to be sure they can protect themselves.

“These kids, it’s really easy for them to access guns these days, and the problem is, these kids are trying to make a name for themselves,” Cigarroa said.

More shootings: Officer-involved shooting in Kent ends with suspect taking his own life

O’Brien said the shooting is a reminder to keep a gun nearby.

“It’s definitely tragic and a reminder to protect your property, and yourselves, and your loved ones, and just stay armed,” she said.

So far, deputies have very little information about the shooters, or why the house was targeted.

James Lynch is a reporter at KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of James’ stories here. Follow James on X, or email him here.

Crime Blotter

I-5...

Frank Lenzi

Woman accused of attacking 2 girls with knife after I-5 crash in DuPont

Troopers said a woman crashed her SUV on I-5 in DuPont Monday morning — then got out and attacked the two girls who were riding with her.

3 hours ago

carnation identity theft...

Jason Sutich

‘Impersonating a deceased person’: Carnation man sentenced for identity theft, pandemic benefits fraud

A Carnation man was sentenced to three years in prison for two schemes to steal pandemic benefits and steal the home, and stock portfolio of a dead victim.

4 hours ago

northgate shooting...

Jason Sutich

23-year-old man injured in overnight Northgate shooting

A 23-year-old man was shot overnight in Northgate on Monday morning.

9 hours ago

scam grays harbor...

Julie Berg, KIRO 7 News

Scam targets those who recently deposited funds into inmate accounts

The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about a scam targeting people who recently deposited money into an inmate’s account.

11 hours ago

irvine china seattle detained...

Julie Berg, KIRO 7 News

Irvine woman detained while trying to fly to China, accused of surveilling in Seattle

Federal authorities said they arrested an Irvine, Calif., woman Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport as she attempted to board a flight to China.

11 hours ago

A photo of a bald eagle. (Photo: Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)...

MyNorthwest Staff

Lummi Nation member pleads guilty to federal charges after two bald eagles allegedly shot

A 39-year-old Lummi Nation member pleaded guilty Thursday to illegal firearms possession and two violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

2 days ago

‘It’s unreal:’ Gunmen shoot-up Burien home, killing woman in her 80s