A man pretending to shop for beer pulled a black handgun on a gas station clerk in Morgan Junction just after 10 p.m. Sunday, ordering him away from the register and walking off with as much as $2,000 in cash. Seattle Police officers on uniformed patrol responded to the robbery call.
According to West Seattle Blog, the robbery happened at the gas station and mini-mart at 6540 California Ave SW, a commercial complex that also houses a Domino's Pizza and a freestanding BECU ATM. The outlet reported that the call came in at 2203 hours, and that the suspect had first approached the counter as if buying beer before drawing the firearm, pointing it at the clerk, and telling him to move out of the way. The clerk opened the register and handed over all the cash inside before the gunman left the store; police say he took an estimated $1,700 to $2,000.
Clerk Was Not Hurt, Shared Surveillance Video
The clerk was not injured during the encounter, per the same report, and he showed responding officers video footage of the robbery from the store's security cameras. The suspect was described as a Black man in his 20s wearing a black mask, a black hoodie, and Nike Tech pants, with the rest of his clothing described as all-black or gray. He fled in an unknown direction using an unknown mode of transportation, and West Seattle Blog updated its article Monday morning with additional details from police.
Part of a Pattern Along California Avenue SW
The Morgan Junction holdup adds to a string of armed robberies that have hit convenience stores and gas stations along the California Avenue SW corridor throughout 2026. In August, Hoodline reported that an armed duo hit a 7-Eleven at Charlestown Street and California Avenue SW, escaping with cash shortly after a similar robbery in South Park. In May, Seattle Police deployed K-9 units across Highland Park after a man in his 20s robbed a 7-Eleven at gunpoint at 16th Avenue SW and SW Holden Street before fleeing on foot, as detailed in Hoodline's coverage of the Highland Park K-9 hunt.
West Seattle has seen other commercial crime this year as well, including twin convenience store robberies on SW Holden and SW Admiral Way back in April.
What the Law Says About Armed Robbery
Under Washington state law, robbing a business while armed with or displaying a firearm is classified as Robbery in the First Degree, a Class A felony punishable by up to life in prison and a maximum $50,000 fine. Sentencing guidelines also provide for a mandatory five-year firearm enhancement for a first-degree robbery conviction when a gun is used during the offense, an enhancement that cannot be reduced through good-behavior credit.
Police contacts and tips in West Seattle have involved the Southwest Precinct. Citywide, Police Chief Shon Barnes reported in February that overall crime dropped 18% in 2025 compared to the year before, with homicides falling 36% to 37 cases, per SPD Blotter.
