‘Senseless level of violence’: Man’s stabbing death marks record number of Seattle homicides

SEATTLE — Seattle Police are investigating a deadly stabbing in North Seattle Thursday.

Chief Adrian Diaz says the homicide brings the total to 72, a new record for the city. He says the last time numbers were this high was in 1994, when the Seattle Police Department reported 71 homicides.

Around 1 a.m. on Thursday, officers were called to the Tressa Apartments off North 143rd Street and Aurora Avenue in the Bitter Lake neighborhood.

When police arrived, they found a 24-year-old man dead on the sidewalk. Investigators say he was stabbed to death, however it’s unclear if the victim lived in the apartments.

“We know that there was a gathering inside the actual apartment complex but still not sure if that’s associated with the stabbing,” SPD Police Chief Adrian Diaz said.

Neighbors say with Aurora Avenue being so close, there’s always something happening.

“There’s been a lot of shootings happening in the alleyway. I just never witnessed something so up close,” said Josh Malen.

“Very much unsafe, I don’t drive, and I walk to the bus, and I see a lot of sketchy things, and I just stay in my apartment,” said Raquel Petry.

Investigators were seen talking with family members and friends of the victim, who were very emotional.

“We’re talking with witnesses as we speak; we’re trying to actually scan for a lot of video camera footage in the area,” said Diaz.

With homicide numbers up, neighbors say the violence needs to stop.

“I mean, I lost my nephew to gun violence so maybe not this part of Seattle, but South Seattle. Seattle — it might be a beautiful place with a lot of jobs and opportunities, but there’s still violence everywhere you go,” said Malen.

No one has been arrested in the case. If you have information, you’re asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.

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