Gang Shooting Hits Teen At Alki Beach

A hunt continued today for four teenagers following an apparently gang-related shooting that shattered the calm yesterday of a sunny afternoon at Alki Beach.

A youth, 17, who was hit in the abdomen, was in serious condition today at Harborview Medical Center.

It could have been much worse.

The long stretch of sandy beach was crowded with people sun-bathing, strolling and playing volleyball.

"Anybody out here could have been shot," said police homicide Sgt. Don Cameron.

One of several shots fired toward the beach hit the victim, Cameron said. Police found shell casings on 57th Avenue Southwest, east of Alki Avenue Southwest.

Police said the victim was a confirmed gang member.

Sgt. Norm James of the police gang squad said the victim and friends were watching a volleyball game when a group of four youths challenged them.

Cameron said the four walked from the beach across Alki Avenue at 57th, away from the victim's group. About 40 yards away, one youth crouched and fired a handgun at the victim. All four fled on foot, presumably to a car parked nearby, Cameron said. They were described as Asian youths, 16 to 18 years old, James said.

Mike Johnson of SeaTac was lying on the beach with his girlfriend when he heard the shots. "I said, `Somebody's been shot - stay down!' People were heading in the water."

Kimberly Greene, a Queen Anne resident, said, "Everyone took off. Finally they figured it out - someone's down, someone's been shot." Greene went to the victim, also Asian, and comforted him while awaiting the arrival of medics. Vern McCready, another bystander who lives in the University District, applied pressure to the bullet wound in the lower-left abdomen to stop the bleeding.

Cameron said it is believed to be the first gang-related shooting in Alki, an area that has escaped the violence that has crept into other city neighborhoods and parks.

For years, pleasant weather and the beach have attracted a mix of youths from all over the metropolitan area who, at times, have overwhelmed the point's crowded streets.

After congestion and rowdiness seemed to reach a peak in 1985, residents urged Seattle police to step up their presence in the neighborhood. An anti-cruising ordinance since has been passed, and recently, police have made extensive use of bicycle-patrol officers.

Yesterday, however, witnesses said police were not around the center of the beach when the shooting occurred in the area of Volleyball Row.

Pat Gerhardt, who lives two blocks from where the shooting took place, agreed that Alki usually is peaceful. But with lots of young people, there always is the potential for violence, Gerhardt said.

"It's getting so you should wear a bulletproof vest when you go out of the house," she said, only half in jest.

Cisco Torres, a volleyball player who frequents the beach, says the area normally is calm, although crowded with young people and families during good weather.

"Down here it's pretty damn clean," Torres said.

Brian Barnes, who comes to the beach once or twice a week, said Alki normally is pretty peaceful. "I've never even seen a fight down here," he said.

"I'm surprised (by the shooting). It's Seattle, you know," said Barnes.