Three armed young men arrested near Garfield High School after shots fired

Three young men were arrested after multiple shots were fired near 23rd and Jefferson February 25, according to Seattle Police. All three were armed with handguns, one of which had been reported stolen.

From SPD:

On February 25th, at approximately 10:24 pm, East Precinct officers responded to multiple reports of shots fired in the area of 23rd Avenue and East Jefferson Street.  There were no apparent victims.  While in the area, Gang Unit detectives observed three men who appeared to be hiding on top of a building.  Those suspects fled westbound across the high school property and were detained by officers as they crossed the street at 23rd and Jefferson.  All three of the suspects were in possession of handguns, one of which was reported stolen.  All of the suspects, ages 18, 20 and 20 were arrested and booked into the King County Jail for firearms related charges.  Detectives will conduct the follow up investigation.

Meanwhile, Mayor Mike McGinn and Councilmember Bruce Harrell gave a speech today about how the city intends to address the huge increase in gun violence and homicides so far this year. There have been 19 aggravated assaults and murders involving guns in fewer than two months, the PI reports. In response, the mayor announced that every precinct will add violence prevention emphasis patrols.

Though the South Precinct has certainly seen the majority of the recent shootings, the CD has seen tragedy, too. One of the victims of gun violence this year was Central District resident Desmond Jackson, who was shot outside a Sodo nightclub earlier this month.

From the Mayor's office:

Today Mayor Mike McGinn and Councilmember Bruce Harrell were joined by community leaders and the Seattle Police Department to respond to recent incidents of violent crime in Seattle. The mayor detailed the recent launch of new violence prevention emphasis patrols in each of the city’s five precincts. Precincts are deploying extra officers on the street to address street disorder, assaults, and shootings, focusing on the specific problems in each neighborhood. 

“Everyone who lives here, who works here, who shops here, and who comes here to enjoy what Seattle has to offer deserves to feel safe and secure. That goes for every neighborhood in our city,” said Mayor McGinn. “Public safety requires a strong partnership with the community, and we are committed to working with community leaders on public safety.”

“Many witnesses withhold valuable information from the police because of their fear of retaliation, mistrust of the government and because they comply with a code of silence,” said Councilmember Bruce Harrell.  “We are asking community leaders and organizations to work with the Police Department, the Mayor’s Office and the Public Safety Committee in establishing new norms of cooperation and trust.  Every community has the right to be safe and we are asking the community to help us establish cooperation with the police, institute preventative measures before crime and violence occurs through the 9-1-1 system; and help deliver a message to our youth that violence and the unlawful use of guns destroy what so many work to build—healthy communities.  Our strategy will be to strengthen and protect our community.”