SPD will add emphasis patrols in U-District after recent gun violence

SEATTLE — To address the recent gun violence in the University District, Seattle police will be adding emphasis patrols and will address several public safety issues in spots where shooting incidents have occurred.

SPD said over the last 28 days, officers have responded to several incidents involving guns.

At 1 p.m. on Sept. 23, officers were called to the 4700 block of 7th Avenue Northeast, where a man was injured in a shooting.

Five days later, officers were called at 10 p.m. to the 4200 block of 11th Avenue Northeast after a man found a bullet and bullet hole in his tub.

Just days later, at 12:05 a.m. on Oct. 1, officers were called to the 4200 block of Brooklyn Avenue Northeast for reports of gunfire. A driver believed to be fleeing the gunfire struck and killed a pedestrian.

The day after, authorities said officers were called to investigate a fight that led to gunfire outside a bar at the 4300 block of University Way Northeast and Northeast 43rd Street.

Police found four people who suffered gunshot wounds. The victims’ injuries were non-life-threatening.

The shooter fired as many as five rounds and fled the scene. No arrests have been made.

Chief Adrian Diaz is assigning emphasis patrols to the area to address gun violence.

“You know, public safety is what we’re really concerned about. And so when we do see something like this, it is our job to get out there and address it,” Sgt. John O’Neil with Seattle police said.

Businesses in the U District say they are for more patrols in the area if it means less violence and crime.

“And we would like to see security or police officers to help out and be here so we can go home and sleep and relax,” the owner of Cedars of Lebanon John Khalil said.

Khalil says his restaurant has been in the area for decades and believes it’s a great part of town.

“I like students because I used to be a teacher myself. And this community is beautiful to have around here. And that’s why we survived that long,” Khalil said.

He believes addressing the issues now will positively impact the area going forward.

“We would like to keep it forever. Because the more we work on it, the better it will be,” Khalil said.

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