Despite near-weekly news reports of shootings in parts of Seattle and King County, both have experienced significant drops in homicides over the past few years, according to an analysis by The Seattle Times, informed with data from the King County Prosecutor’s Office and the Seattle Police Department. Even with the sad headlines, the decrease in deaths is encouraging.
Along with the decline in homicides is an overall drop in gun violence.
In 2023, there were 107 firearm homicides in the county and 369 nonfatal shootings. In 2024, there were 75 homicides and 319 nonfatal shootings. So far in 2025 there have been 22% fewer homicides for the first half of the year than the same period in 2024.
King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion attributed the drastic drop in homicides to efforts by her office to more aggressively prosecute suspects involved in nonfatal shootings, who sometimes go on to be involved in fatal shootings. She said data shows that those who are involved in nonfatal shootings have a higher risk of being involved in a fatal one, either as a victim or perpetrator, down the road.
Still, even with the decrease, more needs to be done to change the trajectory when it comes to the overall use of guns and gun violence among teenagers.
Since 2022, the number of guns confiscated by police, just in Seattle, has increased, with 1,913 seized in 2023, 1,934 in 2024 and 1,345 as of July 31 for 2025.
In addition, there’s been a steady increase in the number of shootings — fatal and nonfatal — of people 17 and younger since 2022.
In 2023, 9% of the shooting victims were 17 and younger. In 2024, 15% where in that age group.
In the first quarter of this year, 11.6% of shooting victims were 17 or younger. In the second quarter, 15.94% of shooting victims were 17 or younger. Such incidents often lead to retaliation, many times with guns.
Manion has made meaningful progress toward addressing youth gun violence. In 2024 she launched the Safer Schools Strategy, which is designed to coordinate with school districts to notify them when children have pending felonies involving firearms. In its first year, 100 notifications were made, Manion’s office said.
Meanwhile, the state Legislature this year stood in the way of progress when it comes to youth gun violence. Manion tried to persuade lawmakers to change the law that allows juveniles to have five firearms convictions before they can be held for longer than 30 days in a state juvenile rehabilitation program. The first four gun convictions are limited to a maximum of 30 days in a local juvenile facility. The bill, sponsored by Rep. David Hackney, D-Renton, would have reduced the requirement to three convictions for juveniles to be held in a state program. But the bill died an early death.
Manion and Hackney are on the right track when it comes to turning the tide in gun violence. More elected officials should use their power to help save lives.
