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.”
Why are guns legal again? They do more harm than good, the 2nd Amendment should be abolished.
Either take them away or make the laws for even having a gun so strict a gun would be the last thought on someones mind before they killed someone. With killing others, robbing, etc. glamorized by tv shows and music it is no surprise at all that some grow up thinking that is the best route to success.
Do you really think that having stricter gun laws would be any more effective at keeping guns out of criminals hands than having stricter drug laws have been at stopping drug dealers? The war on drugs hasn’t exactly been effective IMHO. Maybe more pre-screening regulations might prevent a whacko from buying a gun but it doesn’t affect the secondary market for firearms.
I’ve been packing heat for 30 years and only drew my gun once – on two armed 16 year olds that had just stolent a car and shot the owner. It turns out that they were hitch hiking and the the guy was hoping to give them more than a ride. And the whole thing was pretty damn odd. And I was on a ride along with a deputy friend. And it was pitch black outside. And yet still I manage to not shoot the little shits. They really did have it coming, but, I managed to delay long enough and yell at them loud enough that they dropped there guns and sat down. Other than that I have been driving and wandering in your midst without killing anyone – regardless of my beliefs that it would be OK. I know hundreds of guys and a couple of gals that are packing heat every day and night – regular citizens mostly, but a couple of us disenfranchised ex pigs. And we just never actually get to see the bad guys. They can smell us. Were tougher and more confident than you.
And in the words of Charlton Heston….
I cannot believe people are really advocating outlawing guns here. Just as much as its your right to say you think guns would be better illegal, its my right (and yours too!) to keep the guns. The problem is these little sh*ts out by the school house, not guns, and not our basic rights. CDhuman and jomamma lets not have a debate about gun control PLEASE!
The root issue here is poor education. We need better parents and better teachers.
Better teachers cannot combat worse parents. I live on a block where the youngest son is the grandson of a gang member/drug dealer, the son of a drug dealer/gangmember, his mom is a crackhead in and out of Purdy, the whole family for generations are drug dealers, drug addicts, violent criminals most of whom drop out before the 2nd year of high school. When that family has guns, and they do, do you really think they are buying them under our gun laws? Or that better teachers might have helped? They’re stealing Grumbo’s gun from his car or home where he’s been lazy about securing it or didn’t get a home alarm and it was stolen while he was out. And the brainwashing they’ve had since birth cannot be undone by teachers except in the 1 in 1 million case, sort of like my chances of playing in the NBA or winning the Lotto.
All im saying is something must be done and it will need to be extreme. I for one am not ok with it taking another 20 years to get slightly better. Also drug laws are not strict enough in my opinion either, found high? Throw your ass in jail until your clean! I know I know that would cost a stupid amount of money but hey, maybe we could use that money we are spending over seas would be better spent here? Anyhow im just tired of this.
I dont want to get into any sort of debate either. I agree with your point that parents are to blame but dont blame teachers, they get even less respect than parents usually and is it really their job to parent because the parents fail to? I wish the kids doing these things parents would be held responsible just as much as the kids, wonder if that would fix anything!
Let me point you guys towards another fine policy based on bans known as the War on Drugs. How is that working out?
Street robberies and you-
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1285487_Street_robberies_an&page=1
read, get informed, wake up, take control of your right to life and stop waiting for other people to do it for you.
THANK YOU
Good post sheepdog, something everyone should read.
I agree, teachers can only do so much. Parents tend to rely WAY TOO MUCH on the school system to raise their children for them. And it’s no wonder, when our kids spend more of their waking hours at the schools than with their parents if they are working full time like many of us do. That’s why it’s important for parents/caregivers to stay engaged and do as much as they possibly can to stay involved and up to date on their kids’ activities, school work, friendships, etc. I know it isn’t easy. I can’t imagine being a single parent, let alone working more than one job. But teachers and schools are not equally to blame for this behavior. Families – and having resources for families to use, like tutoring, affordable after school care and sports organizations – are where the change needs to start.