On July 30, 2024, at 7:50 pm, another person died on a public walkway in Burien. According to Detective Michael Ramirez of King County Sheriff’s Office, “Burien Deputies and Medics responded to the area of the Burien Town Square Plaza. Witnesses reported an unresponsive person laying on the ground. Medics located the person but despite lifesaving interventions the patient passed away.”
Burien.News was there as the Medical Examiner processed the scene and removed the body by approximately 9:31pm. The police we spoke with onsite were unable to comment on the cause of death. The victim appeared to be a young man, who was laying on the stairs near the center of the park.
A resident who we spoke with at the park was very sad to hear of the passing. She and others from her church meet at the Burien Transit Center on Fridays where they know and minister to the growing number of homeless individuals in Burien. She only wishes that more people would take advantage of the services offered for recovery and treatment.
There is no further information at this time as the case is still under investigation.
This additional Burien death comes as King County builds a new, “immoveable” fence around a homeless tent encampment only two blocks from the City Square Park. The county installed porta-potties a few weeks ago.
In March 2024, the Burien Council updated their camping ordinance for law enforcement clarification. However, instead of abiding by Burien’s ordinance, and supporting Burien, KC Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall told her deputies to stop enforcing Burien’s camping ordinance and promptly sued Burien, claiming the law was “unconstitutional.”
On June 28, 2024, the US Supreme Court ruled (Grants Pass v. Johnson) that cities could control their streets, however, the courts have yet to rule on the Burien litigation.
In the meantime, King County has allowed, and now made permanent, a growing homeless encampment on its property across the street from the Burien police precinct and Burien District Courthouse. There are dozens of tents and homeless residents.
As a result, Burien’s homelessness, illegal drug-use, and drug-related crimes (and deaths) continue to increase, especially in the surrounding area.
Burien’s businesses and residents are begging for relief and remedy, but until King County agrees to work with Burien on a solution, this public health crisis will continue.
Burien.News will report when we learn more about the person who died.
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