Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell released the following statement after a shooting on Rainier Avenue S in South Seattle left three dead and another six injured:
“No place in this country is free from the awful epidemic of gun violence, which once again reverberates here in Seattle – leaving at least three dead, another six injured, and countless family and neighbors to pick up the pieces in our beloved South Seattle community. My heart is with the victims and every person impacted.
“Mass shootings cannot be so commonplace that they are an acceptable summer weekend activity – not for people at social gathering spaces, not for people at the park, not for anyone anywhere. Even as SPD keeps up a rapid and record pace of recovering guns – 869 through July – there are still more illegal guns in the wrong hands that could be used to incite another tragedy like this one.
“SPD is investigating with haste to hold the perpetrators responsible and deliver justice, safety, and peace of mind to this neighborhood and our entire city. We will continue to take a holistic approach to this ongoing challenge – partnering with community-based organizations to prevent gun crimes before they happen and support upstream proactive efforts; working with law enforcement to get guns off the street and advance swift investigations; and partnering with legislators at the state level to advance enhanced gun safety legislation and end state preemption over firearms so Seattle can finally set our own laws that keep Seattle neighbors safe.”