Jayme Thomas, 19, was shot and killed in Des Moines on Sunday, Nov. 5th.

According to a Facebook Page, a Memorial Service for Jayme Leilani Thomas, the 19-year old woman who was shot and killed last weekend in Des Moines, will be held this Saturday, Nov. 12th from 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Mount Rainier High School.

As we previously reported, Thomas was shot early Saturday morning (Nov. 5) in the 800 block of Redondo Way South, along with a 24-year old man, who suffered non life-threatening injuries. She later died of her injuries at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The suspects are still at large, and police are seeking the public’s help (see below for details).

Thomas was well-known and liked, and worked as a lifeguard and coach at Olympic View Swim Club in Normandy Park.

Her Facebook Page has been turned into a memorial, and is full of memories, photos and comments.

Also, donations to the Jayme Thomas Memorial Fund can be made at any branch of Chase Bank.

According to witnesses, a verbal confrontation occurred between two separate groups early Saturday before the shooting occurred. Witnesses stated two males started passing a gun around and then fired shots into the victim’s vehicle.

The two male suspects were described as an Asian Male in his early 20s, and a Black Male, in his early to late 20s.

Witness also provided police with a description of two separate vehicles the two male suspects fled the scene in prior to the police arriving:

• Vehicle 1: 1990-1995, flat black Honda Civic 2 door with black & chrome after market rims and tinted windows.
• Vehicle 2: Lowered 1990-1995, primer black Honda Civic 2 door with black spoke rims, large chrome muffler, no front license plate, tinted windows, and had recent body work near the rear driver’s side wheel well.

Detectives are actively investigating and request anybody with information in regards to this incident to please contact the Des Moines Police Department at (206) 878-3301.

Here are the event details:

WHAT: Memorial Service for Jayme Leilani Thomas.

WHEN: Saturday, November 12 · 1:00pm – 8:00pm

WHERE: Mount Rainier High School, located at 22450 19th Avenue South, Des Moines, WA 98198

Read the full story here.

The King County Sheriff’s Office has released more info about Tuesday morning’s shooting in White Center that killed a 23-year old female:

Police say that Tuesday morning (Aug. 16), at about 12:20 a.m., deputies were called to the area of SW Roxbury St. and 15th Ave. SW by a passing witness for a fight disturbance. When deputies arrived they met with a small group of females, including the now-deceased shooting victim. Deputies were told that the disturbance was minor and that the other group, which consisted of three black males, had left the area. The group of women declined to speak further about the incident.

Deputies stayed in the general area and began to walk on foot to increase their visibility and to try to prevent further violence from erupting. Just before 1 a.m., officers heard several gunshots coming from the area of the original disturbance. When they returned they disocvered the victim laying in the middle of 15th Ave. SW with at least one gunshot wound. Witnesses said that at least two of the original three black males had returned and that one then shot the victim. The suspects then fled the scene on foot.

At this point, no suspects are in custody and no weapon has been recovered. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit are investigating.

Police have not been able to rule out if this was gang-related or not.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit will be also be assisting as needed.

Here’s a video report from our friends at KING5:

by Scott Schaefer

Through our own detective work, along with a little bit of journalistic elbow grease, we were able to track down the woman who was shot at the intersection of SW 136th and Ambaum Blvd. SW last Wednesday, June 1st, for an exclusive B-Town Blog interview.

The woman has identified herself as Cassaundra Jonasson, and in our interview she paints a detailed picture of how the dramatic incident unfolded, how and where she got shot, how she ended up driving herself to the 7-11, what is was like being hit, and much much more.

Here’s a recap of the news as we reported that afternoon with numerous updates (read the entire post, with photos and audio interview here):

• The female victim was shot while sitting in her car with a passenger at the intersection of SW 136th and Ambaum Blvd. SW round 12:15 p.m.
• Seriously injured, she managed to drive herself to the recently re-opened 7-11/Shell gas station at SW 146th and First Ave South. Medics took her from there to Harborview Medical Center, where she was listed in serious condition. She has since been released.
• Ambaum was closed off for a while between SW 142nd and SW 136th as police scoured the area searching for the shooter.
• Mark Neuman spoke with Burien Police Sgt. Henry McLauchlan at the scene, who told him that the suspect, a male, fired into the woman’s car, then fled. Some people may have caught ‘fleeting glimpses’ of the man as he left, according to McLauchlan.
• Police on the scene repeatedly told us they thought the shooting “was not random.” We still don’t know the motive for the shooting.
• Neuman conducted an audio interview with An Banh, who owns an auto repair shop located kitty-corner from where the shooting took place, who heard the shots, saw the shooter and provides his own description of him (listen to it here).
  
• Far as we know, as of Wed., June 8th, police have not released a description of the suspect, and the shooter still remains at large.

This exclusive interview was conducted via email, and we present it below in its raw form:

Q: Please tell us, in detail, what exactly happened?
A: In the process of helping a family friend move out of the heights in burien. I myself had been in those apartments for about two weeks, the last day moving we loaded the car started driving out of the heights stopped at arco to get gas was there for about ten minutes. pulled out of Arco on the Ambaum blvd side turned right onto Ambaum sitting at the red light in front of the Arco on Ambaum and 136th. before the light turned green the passenger and i heard the first shot that went straight through the passengers window through his jacket coming less than an inch from hitting him and into my chest because i had my right arm on the steering wheel otherwise i would have probably been hit in the arm instead. my first instinct was to just step on the gas then rapidly four more shots came from behind us but you could tell he was running after the car. besides the first bullet one went through the passenger side right above the rear wheel through and through the car one went into the back in between of the rear window and the car where that bullet was lodged. another bullet into the passenger side rear tire and the last one ricocheted off the roof of the car. I had no clue at first i had been hit i continued to drive down Ambaum blvd somewhere between getting shot and 146th st the passenger in my car pointed out i had been shot i made a left on 146th convinced i was going to find Highline (hospital) myself but once we got up to first ave the burning and the pain was so bad i had to pull over the passenger had already been on the phone with 911 by that time.

Cassaundra Jonasson was shot on June 1st at the intersection of Ambaum Blvd. SW & SW 136th.

Q: Did you know the shooter?
A: No, I’ve never met the man that shot before in my life.

Q: Do you know why he shot you?
A: We still are not 100% sure on that one but we have a few things that are being worked on.

Q: How many shots were fired? (we counted 5 evidence markers on the street)
A: Five is correct. he hesitated after the first one the last four were extremely rapid though.

Q: Did you know that you were hit right away?
A: Not at all. i felt something different about my body. It was HOT and then everything just started to burn really bad. All the adrenaline just from being shot at had me completely shook up i just couldn’t think of anything else.

Q: Did your passenger know the Shooter? Does he have any idea why you guys were shot at?
A: No the passenger is a GREAT person through and through. He has never had any type of trouble like that. That’s why when it first happened and we first pulled off we were so confused as to what even happened in the first place it was extremely shocking to the both of us. still to this day.

Q: The Passenger wasn’t hit, correct? Was he the target or were you?
A: No the passenger wasn’t hit. the first bullet that was shot came through his window went straight across his chest through and through both parts of his open jacket coming not even an inch of missing him. It was a very scary experience that neither of us ever wanted to go through. We both got extremely lucky in SO many ways. Its shocking because of how much it didn’t make scene. Its definitely one of the things that keep me up at night wondering. And as for the target that part hasn’t been figured out. as you can see in the pictures of the crime scene my car had 5% tint on it there was absolutely no way for anyone to know who was in my car or even who was driving it at that point.

Q: Did you drive the car yourself or was there another driver?
A: I did drive myself even though komo 4 reported that a man drove me to the gas station but yes i was the driver the whole time from 136th and Ambaum to 146th and first avenue.

Q: What was your condition initially?
A: At first i was fine. i knew to keep pressure on it until the aid car got there. and i knew since i wasn’t coughing up blood that most likely it hadn’t pierced my lungs. but by the time we got to 146th and first ave my body felt to weak. by the time the aid car had showed up i was sitting on the floor outside of my car.

Q: Did you suffer much?
A: The pain from the ambulance ride and the hospital was unbearable. They had to put breathing tubes down my throat and i was awake for the whole thing. There was such a large amount of blood lost i could feel my body getting weak. They said the bullet came an inch from my lung and five inches from my heart and the bullet went in pinky deep.

Q: How long were you in Harborview?
A: They took me to Harborview because i was in such critical condition. but i got shot on the first (of June) and the let me out late on the second so i wasn’t in there for long at all.

Q: What are your injuries/where were you hit? Will you fully recover?
A: I have a bullet hole wound right below the arm pit. It’s not all that big but since they wouldn’t give me stitches or anything it has to heal its self. for the most part i am fully recovered. Mentally/emotionally i will always have some scars but physically i am just as fine as i was before this all happened just with a wound to talk about.

Q: How are you doing now?
A: Now, i’m doing okay. still kind of worried with this guy out on the streets i still don’t understand with ALL the witnesses how this man hasn’t been caught. Especially knowing he ran into the heights after the shooting and i was staying there for the 2 weeks prior im sure that’s where they could be looking but the king county sheriffs department are putting there all into this and i do appreciate it. I just hope that if it was anyone else that happened to run into him they wouldn’t be scared to say something. Everyone has to tell at least one person their secret so there is someone out there that knows exactly who did this just to be able to think that is what bothers me i guess.

Q: Weren’t there several witnesses? Why hasn’t the shooter been caught yet?
A: I know there was several people at the bus stop right across the street. and when i pumped gas at arco all the pumps were full so i know there were witnesses there too. It just happens that since the area it all happened in a lot of people don’t talk to much. But hopefully with fingers crossed he will be caught.

Q: Do you live in Burien? Has this affected your perception of the city?
A: no i don’t live in burien i grew up there from the age of 2 – 13. Funny thing is i always told myself that Burien was the place i wanted to go back to and live. i still think burien is great it just happens to have its bad areas just like Tacoma or Seattle.

Q: If you could (safely) speak to the Shooter now, what would you say to him?
A: honestly i don’t really know what i would say. I mainly would just want to figure everything out and ask why but other than that im not much of a person to have words for anyone who would do something like that to anybody. I have a 2 year old that could have easily been in the back seat of the car (which got shot into) im just thankful i didn’t.

Q: Has this incident changed your perception of guns, gun laws, etc.?
A: My perception of guns has always been the same. I believe people have the right to bare arms for SAFETY reasons. Changing the laws isn’t going to stop the “bad” people from buying illegal guns from the street and using them for crime.

Here are some photos taken at both scenes that day by Mark Neuman:

Evidence markers indicate where five bullets were found.

Shot and bleeding, Cassaundra Jonasson managed to drive her car from where she was hit to the 7-11 on First Ave South and SW 146th.

That day police had two crime scenes to investigate, causing road closures throughout Burien.

A Washington State Patrol motorcycle officer fired shots Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 2nd) at a driver of a car stolen near Burien who allegedly tried to run her down as he fled from other officers.

Police say that the veteran trooper is uninjured, and multiple agencies are investigating both the shooting and the auto theft which preceded the incident.

Initial indications are that the trooper became involved in the pursuit, which began in Burien shortly after 2pm. The pursuit moved on to SR-518, then to I-5 southbound towards Fife, where the subject abandoned the original vehicle and jumped in another which was nearby.

At that point multiple witnesses report the suspect drove at the WSP trooper two separate times. After the first attempt, the trooper abandoned her bike and was on foot. The subject came at her a second time, at which point she fired shots to end the attack. The subject veered away and was eventually stopped by other troopers using a Pursuit Immobilization Technique (PIT). The driver continued to fight and had to be tasered in order to be taken into custody.

The suspect was slightly injured, but it is not currently clear whether those injuries were caused by the trooper’s shots or when the car hit a tree following the PIT maneuver.

The Washington State Patrol, Fife Police Department and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office are conducting concurrent investigations of the incident.

King County Public Health announced Friday (Nov. 6th) that it is now offering a limited supply (15,000 for now) of H1N1 vaccines

To get vaccinated, you have to make an appointment by telephone, and meet the criteria listed below:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
• People between 25 through 64 years of age with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems
• Healthcare and emergency workers with direct patient contact

The only Burien pharmacy currently with the new batch is:

• Albertsons-Sav-On
  12725 First Ave. S.
  Burien, WA 98168
  (206) 439-7212

Here are two others in nearby White Center:

• Walgreens
  9456 16th Ave SW
  White Center, 98106
  (206) 767-2294
• Albertsons-Sav-On
  10616 16th Avenue S.W.
  White Center, 98146
  (206) 242-6310

Many of the 44 participating pharmacies are taking appointments by phone starting today (Fri. Nov. 6th); some will be holding walk-up clinics without appointment starting next week. The full list of participating pharmacies, including hours, types of vaccine available, vaccination age ranges and administrative fee, is posted at www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/pandemicflu/swineflu/locations.aspx. This site will be updated Monday through Friday by noon; people should contact pharmacies directly for the most up-to-date information.

With limited national vaccine supplies, Public Health – Seattle & King County has had to delay its plan to make vaccine widely available through community venues. As more vaccine becomes available, there will be additional sites for getting vaccinated, including community clinics.

“Making vaccine available through pharmacies is an important next step in protecting our community, but supplies at both pharmacies and health care providers will continue to be limited for at least several weeks,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Eventually there will be enough vaccine for everyone who wants to get vaccinated, but we are still dealing with limited vaccine supplies.”

With the latest deliveries this week, King County has received approximately 142,000 doses of vaccine. A new allocation of approximately 71,000 doses is being ordered for delivery to the county. Most of the vaccine is being made available through health care providers.

The amount of H1N1 vaccine at pharmacies will be limited, with each pharmacy receiving a few hundred doses each. Vaccine will be re-supplied to pharmacies as more becomes available over the coming weeks, so people should regularly check Public Health’s website for updates.

Many pharmacies are unable to vaccinate babies and young children because their staff is not licensed and/or trained for these age groups. Residents trying to vaccinate children should check with pharmacies directly and with their health care providers since vaccine is continuing to arrive.

Pharmacies may charge a fee for administering the vaccine, typically between $12 and $22 (not to exceed $22). This fee is covered by most health insurance. People should bring their health insurance information to the pharmacy, and they may need to submit a receipt to their insurance company for reimbursement.

Visit the Public Health H1N1 influenza website at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 for updates on vaccine availability in the community or call the Flu Hotline at 1-877-903-KING (5464), which is staffed with operators from 9am to 5pm weekdays to answer questions from residents about H1N1 influenza. There is also a special 24-hour nurse line service extended over this weekend for people with flu seeking medical care advice. Recorded information will be available 24 hours a day.

View King County pharmacies with H1N1 vaccine in a larger map

King County’s Public Health Department announced Tuesday that, beginning this Wednesday (Oct. 21st), the H1N1 flu vaccine will be available for those without health insurance at four clinics, including the White Center Public Health Center, located at 10821 8th Ave. SW.

Clinics will be open from 8:30am to 5:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays, and 8:30am – 7:00pm on Thursdays.

All clinics are walk-up and appointments will not be needed or scheduled.

For more information, visit the Public Health H1N1 influenza website at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 for clinic directions.

Vaccinations at these clinics will continue over time, pending vaccine availability from the federal government.

According to a press release:

As private providers begin to receive H1N1 influenza vaccine for their patients at highest risk for complications, starting Wednesday, Oct. 21, Public Health – Seattle & King County is making vaccinations available for people without health insurance who are at increased risk because they have significant health problems.

Four Public Health vaccination clinics will be open to people up through 64 years of age who have significant health problems that put them at greater risk for serious complications for H1N1. Examples would include heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney disease, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.

Most children and pregnant women have public or private health care coverage, so it is anticipated that the clinics will primarily serve uninsured adults. People over age 65 are at relatively low risk for H1N1 influenza and so should not seek vaccination at this time.

For people who have health insurance, local health care providers are receiving initial, small shipments of vaccine for their existing patients who need protection most. Vaccine availability from health care providers is expected to improve gradually as additional supplies arrive in upcoming weeks.

Public Health clinic details

Four Public Health H1N1 vaccination clinics will be operated at the following locations:

• White Center Public Health Center (10821 8th Ave. S.W., Seattle)
• Alder Square Public Health Center (1404 Central Ave. S., Suites 101 & 112, Kent)
• North Public Health Center (10501 Meridian Ave. N., Seattle)
• Federal Way Public Health Center (33431 13th Place S., Federal Way)

All clinics will be open 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays and 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. All clinics are walk-up and appointments will not be needed or scheduled. Visit the Public Health H1N1 influenza website at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 for clinic directions.

Vaccinations at these clinics will continue over time, pending vaccine availability from the federal government.

Clinic locations may also expand with demand. As supply increases, more vaccine will be available in Public Health clinics and other community locations. The Public Health website will be updated regularly with information on vaccine availability.

Last Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that vaccine production is proceeding slower than originally expected, which will result in smaller amounts of vaccine in ongoing deliveries over the next two months.

Call center activation

Beginning Wednesday morning, Oct. 21, the Flu Hotline at 877-903-KING (5464) will be staffed with operators to answer questions about H1N1 influenza and provide information about Public Health – Seattle & King County vaccine clinic locations for people without insurance and with significant health problems. Hours of operation with operators will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; recorded information will be available 24 hours a day.

Barry L. Saunders was arrested Wed. afternoon in Portland.

The Seattle P-I reports that Barry L. Saunders, the suspect in last Saturday’s deadly shooting at Southcenter Mall, was captured and arrested Wed. afternoon (Nov. 26th), apparently in Portland, Oregon.

Police say that Saunders is the gunman who shot 16-year-old Daiquan L. Jones to death on the first floor of the remodeled shopping center.

Jermaine D. McGowan, 16, was also shot. At last report, he was still in satisfactory condition at Harborview Medical Center.

Full story is here.

Barry L. Saunders, 21, is wanted in connection with the deadly Southcenter shooting Nov. 22nd.

According to KOMO News, the public is being asked to help find the suspect in last weekend’s fatal shooting at Tukwila’s Southcenter Mall.

Mike Murphy of the Tukwila Police said an arrest warrant has been issued for Barry L. Sanders, 21, for the fatal shooting of a teenager as well as the wounding of another on Saturday Nov. 22nd.

Police say that Saunders may still be armed, and anyone who sees, knows him or knows where he is should call 911 immediately.

Tips may also be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Police are still searching for the suspect.

We’ve managed to gather several videos related to the shooting:

KOMO News:

KIRO-TV:

KING-TV:

Click here to view the embedded video.

CELL PHONE VIDEO NEAR VICTIM:

TWO YOUNG WOMEN STUCK IN PARKING GARAGE TRAFFIC:

Click here to view the embedded video.

KID’S YOUTUBE COMMENTARY VIDEO:

Click here to view the embedded video.