Summary:

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has urged residents to help prevent gun violence after three homicides over four days left the city reeling. Barnes asked community members to share information and report warning signs to police. He said achieving the goal of preventing further incidents of gun violence requires collaboration between the criminal justice system and the community. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and digital records to track suspects, and Barnes noted that federal authorities have taken over a separate gun case involving a repeat offender. Barnes also called on residents to report disputes or visible firearms early, stressing that timely calls can help officers intervene before violence occurs.

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes is urging residents to help prevent gun violence after three homicides over four days left the city reeling. Speaking Monday, Barnes asked community members to share information and report warning signs to police.

“These tragedies represent not only lives lost but also the loss of human potential,” Barnes said. “I see the impact in grieving families, in the exhausted eyes of officers collecting evidence, and in neighbors standing behind the crime scene tape, anxious to know what happened in their community.”

The first killing occurred Thursday outside a place of worship in what police believe was a targeted attack. On Sunday, two more shootings followed—one tied to an unregulated gathering Barnes compared to a rave, and another involving a man found dead in a parking lot, possibly linked to a collision or altercation.

“My purpose as your chief of police is to reassure the public that we are committed to preventing further incidents of gun violence,” Barnes said. “Achieving this goal requires collaboration between the criminal justice system and the community. We cannot do our jobs alone.”

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and digital records to track suspects, and Barnes noted that federal authorities have taken over a separate gun case involving a repeat offender. He said SPD holds twice-weekly meetings with prosecutors and federal partners to coordinate investigations and deploy resources effectively.

Barnes also called on residents to report disputes or visible firearms early, stressing that timely calls can help officers intervene before violence occurs.

“We can’t be everywhere at once, but together we can stop violence before it happens,” said Barnes.

Despite the violent weekend, Barnes said SPD remains focused on data-driven strategies.

“One weekend does not make the entire year,” added Barnes. “We stick to our plan and refine it every day.”

Anyone with information about the recent shootings is asked to call SPD’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.