Seattle Police Chief Barnes Addresses the City’s Surge in Youth Gun Violence

Seattle Chief of Police Shon Barnes recently joined "The Big O Show" in the Black Media Matter Studio to discuss the recent surge in gun violence and its impact on the city's youth.

According to Chief Barnes, data from the past year showed a 63% increase in juveniles aged 13 to 17 listed as suspects.

“These are our babies. These are our future. This is the potential of Seattle. And it just lets me know that this is no time to be polite. This is no time to be timid,” he said. 

The Chief emphasized the importance of distinguishing between gang violence, which often involves a clear hierarchy and profit-sharing, and group violence, which he described as more fluid associations based on neighborhoods or friend groups. 

“The biggest predictor of violence is a preceding case of violence,” he said, highlighting the need for community interrupters who can identify early signs of conflict and intervene.

To combat these trends, Barnes said the Seattle Police Department (SPD) has been utilizing technological tools like the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC). He reported that last year, the RTCC aided in 17 homicide investigations and was directly responsible for clearing 11 of them. Despite privacy concerns from some community members, Barnes argued that the cameras are well-placed and provide a "semblance of justice to victims.”

Addressing parents and guardians, the Chief urged them to be more involved in their children's digital lives. “The number one thing that I would suggest for parents to be looking out for is your children's social media,” he said.

Barnes, a former history teacher who said he entered policing after losing a student to gun violence in 1999, maintained that government cannot solve the issue alone. He called for a collaborative approach involving schools, community organizations, and mentors.

“We have to be better responsible gun owners,” he said, noting that over 200 firearms were stolen from vehicles in Seattle last year, many of which ended up in the hands of minors.

The Chief concluded by stressing that every case of gun violence remains a priority for SPD. 

“There's no such thing as a cold case or case going cold. In the real world, the cases are being actively investigated and supervised,” he said. 

Stay tuned for more episodes of “The Big O Show” coming soon on Converge Media streaming platforms. 

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