SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has released a statement two days after three people were killed and three were injured in separate Belltown shootings over the weekend.
The first shooting happened on Sunday, Sept. 6 around 12:37 a.m. This shooting involved an illegal street takeover at Denny Way and Cedar Street. Two people were taken to the hospital for gunshot wounds, but one of them died from their injuries. Another person came into the hospital later with a gunshot wound.
The second shooting was less than two hours later, around 2 a.m. Police say a suspect fired into a parked car at Blanchard Street and 3rd Ave. The woman sitting inside was killed. It’s unclear if or how the suspect and victim knew each other.
The third shooting occurred later that night, around 11:30 p.m. A teen was killed and a man was shot in the leg at Elliott Avenue and Bell Street.
On Monday, interim police chief Andre Sayles held a press conference addressing the violence. Mayor Wilson was not in attendance.
On Tuesday, her office issued a lengthy statement:
See Wilson’s full statement below:
“What happened in Belltown this weekend is tragic and unacceptable. Three young people lost their lives, three others were seriously hurt, and countless neighbors were shaken awake by gunshots, street racing, sirens, or another painful headline in the paper. As your Mayor, as a mom, and simply a community member I take this incredibly seriously. We acknowledge the pain and stand with the grief and anger of survivors, victims, and everyone impacted.
Seattle is not unique in facing too much gun violence. Cities across America are suffering, and losing their loved ones and neighbors, to preventable gun violence. That’s why we’re working with our peer cities and the nation’s leading experts to lean into what makes a difference. The data shows us what works – community violence interruption and focused deterrence, investing in public safety as well as public health, and building a resilient economy with good jobs and shared prosperity.
We are making progress, step by step. While any violence is too much violence, it is important to understand that SPD data show shootings and homicides at their lowest in a decade. I, like everyone in Seattle, want to see that progress happen faster and steadier. That’s why we can’t let up in doing the focused, deep work.
Next week, I’ll be announcing a comprehensive, focused gun violence prevention strategy to do exactly that — and in the following weeks the public will see my proposed budget that invests in those very things.
Right now, Interim Chief Sayles and Seattle police officers are working diligently to hold those harming others to account and increasing presence in high-crime locations. My office will be announcing additional staffing to support our gun violence prevention work, and pushing our state legislature to pass policies that keep guns off our streets. Progress will require tightly coordinated work across our city departments and with county, state, and community partners, and I’m committed to getting it done.”