‘Over 100 additional shootings’ in Seattle compared to this time last year

(Seattle Police Department)

“We continue to see more victims being shot every year,” said Seattle interim police chief Adrian Diaz.

Seattle leaders held a press conference Tuesday morning to discuss the recent increase in gun violence. This conference comes after six shootings across Seattle over the weekend, one of which killed two people in a residential building in northern Seattle.

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“So far this year there have been over 100 additional shootings compared to the same time last year in 2020,” said Diaz.

Chief Diaz says it will take a great community effort to reduce what he says is the relentless threat of violence.

The Seattle Police Department added additional units to Pioneer Square, Belltown and downtown core in late July after multiple shootings from Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill to Trinity Nightclub in Pioneer Square in a single weekend.

Law enforcement and lawmakers previously pointed to a larger, worrying trend towards increased gun violence in King County.

The KIRO Radio Newsdesk contributed to this report.