Police arrest suspect in Central District shootings

He spent 24 hours and one minute on the run, but Thursday morning, Seattle police caught up with a man suspected in three shootings, including one that left a restaurant owner dead.

As officers closed in, Rey Alberto Davis-Bell, 23, made one last attempt to flee, shedding clothes as he ran. But he was caught near South Kenyon Street and 39th Avenue South, Assistant Chief Nick Metz said.

	Davis-Bell

Sgt. Deanna Nollette said he was not armed when he was arrested.

He was booked into the King County Jail about 4 p.m. Thursday for investigation of homicide, assault and drive-by shooting.

About 3:40 p.m., officers took into custody a woman police believe may have some association with Davis-Bell. Police released her after interviewing her.

Officer Mark Jamieson said the woman was not considered a suspect in the crime, but detectives wanted to talk with her because she may have some ties to the slaying Wednesday. She was arrested in a 12th Avenue South salon after being seen with a car police believe is linked to Davis-Bell.

Relatives of the slain man, Degene Barecha, 32, said they recognized Davis-Bell as a customer who'd caused trouble at the restaurant and whom Barecha had accused of selling drugs on the property.

No one was certain about the motive for the shooting.

"We don't know what issue he had with my uncle, whether it was random or over money or what, but it wasn't worth my uncle's life," the victim's niece, Kulla Jatani, said.

The fatal shooting was reported at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, when two men were gunned down at the Philadelphia Cheese Steak restaurant at 23rd Avenue and East Union Street.

		FAMILY PHOTO
	Degene Barecha and new bride, Meselech Edema.

Barecha, an Ethiopian immigrant, was mortally wounded. A customer also was shot and taken to Harborview Medical Center, where he was listed in serious condition Thursday in intensive care.

Metz said police were relieved to nab a "very dangerous" suspect who needed "to be taken off the streets."

Barecha's family and friends struggled to find some comfort in news of the arrest.

"Yes, we did hear about the arrest. We are very thankful, but it is bittersweet. The emptiness is still there," Jatani said.

Wednesday's shooting spree began at 10:47 a.m. at a West Seattle apartment, where several gunshots struck a second-floor window in what authorities called a domestic-violence incident.

Witnesses said the gunman drove into Longfellow Creek Apartments at 5915 Delridge Way S.W. through a broken security gate and fired four or five shots. The woman who lives there was unhurt, but neighbors saw police race to the apartment and take her into protective custody.

At 11:15 a.m., Barecha was shot at his restaurant.

Witnesses reported a dark 2002 Lincoln Town Car at both crime scenes, and police suspected Davis-Bell, a felon under Department of Corrections supervision.

After Wednesday's fatal shooting, an off-duty Seattle police officer heard gunshots about 12:45 p.m. in Rainier Valley and saw a vehicle matching the suspect's speeding away.

The officer, in his personal vehicle, couldn't give chase, but did report it, Metz said.

Davis-Bell has convictions for felony harassment. He was released from the state prison system Dec. 23, 2006. He missed a meeting with his probation officer Wednesday, Department of Corrections spokesman Chad Lewis said. But until then, he said, Davis-Bell had been in compliance with the terms of his supervision and had no violations.

In 2002, Davis-Bell, who bragged about being a gang member, threatened to shoot an employee at the Miller Community Center with his "nina Beretta." In a mental evaluation, he said he would get even with "everyone who has done me dirty," according to documents in King County Superior Court.

Barecha's friends and relatives were mourning Thursday for the "sweet" and "strong-minded" business owner, who labored to carry on the business after the former owner, Troy Hackett, was found slain a few blocks from the restaurant in 2003.

That case remains unsolved, and Barecha's family prayed for a quick end to this investigation, Jatani said.

"He worked pretty much from when it opened to when it closed. He breathed and slept Philly's. He loved that place," she said.

"He had a wonderful smile. It would light up your day."

Barecha moved to Seattle in 1990 and lived near Rainier Beach High School. He was Oromo, an ethnic group in Ethiopia, and active in the local Oromo community, Jatani said.

He returned to Ethiopia four or five months ago to marry a woman whom he met through relatives. She stayed in Ethiopia but had planned to join him in Seattle. Family members notified her Wednesday evening of his slaying, Jatani said.

"There was so much he deserved that he was working on that he didn't get to appreciate because his life ended for no reason," she said.

A vigil is planned for Barecha at 5 p.m. Friday outside the restaurant.

On Thursday, bloodstains were still visible inside the restaurant. Outside, a memorial of flowers and cards to Barecha was growing. One note, taped to the glass, was from someone who identified herself as one of Barecha's employees. "Hey, boss. I hope you are in a better place now," she wrote. "I still can't believe you are gone from this world. I'm going to miss you so."