VIPP News

Report Synopsis:

Gun violence in King County surged in 2021, with 1,405 shots fired incidents—a 54% increase over the four-year average (2017–2020)—and 460 shooting victims, up 70%. Fatal shootings rose by 54% (88 victims), while non-fatal shootings jumped 75% (372 victims). Compared to 2020, 2021 saw 19 more fatal victims and 104 more non-fatal victims.

Data was collected from over 20 agencies, with eight jurisdictions—Seattle, Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Tukwila, and the King County Sheriff’s Office—accounting for most cases. Notably, 62% of shots fired incidents and 59% of victims occurred outside Seattle, slightly higher than previous years.

The report underscores the uneven geographic distribution of gun violence and the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies across King County. More information at the link and on the King County website (URL:https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/pao/about-king-county/about-pao/data-reports/gun-violence-data).

Report Synopsis:

Gun violence in King County remained elevated in 2024 compared to pre-2020 levels, with 1,591 shots fired incidents—up 37% (+430) over the five-year average—and 394 shooting victims, a slight increase of 1% (+3). Fatal shootings decreased by 5% (75 victims), while nonfatal shootings rose by 2% (369 victims). Of all victims, 82% were male, 26% were aged 18–24, and 76% were people of color.

Seattle accounted for 45% of shots fired incidents and 51% of shooting victims, while the remainder were concentrated in south King County. Although overall gun violence has trended upward since 2018, 2024 marked the first decline in shooting victims since 2020, falling below 400 for the first time in four years.

Gun Violence Trends:
While gun violence remains significantly higher than pre-2020 levels, shots fired incidents have begun to trend downward for the first time since 2018. More data is needed to confirm a sustained decline, but this shift may mirror national trends of decreasing gun violence in recent years. Multiple factors and local developments likely contributed to this change.

The report underscores persistent disparities and highlights the need for targeted prevention strategies, especially for young people and communities of color. More information found at the link and on the King County website (URL: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/pao/about-king-county/about-pao/data-reports/gun-violence-data)

News Synopsis:

King County saw a major decline in gun violence during Q2 2025, marking the lowest levels in five years. Compared to Q2 2024, shooting victims dropped by 31%, with 14 fatalities and 55 non-fatal injuries. Shots-fired incidents fell to 278—a 25% reduction and the lowest since 2020. Non-fatal shootings also continued their downward trend, dropping from 103 in Q2 2023 to 48 this year.

Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion called the trend “encouraging,” crediting collaboration between law enforcement and community-based nonprofits. Officials stress that while these numbers signal progress, sustained efforts are needed to address root causes and prevent future violence.

News Synopsis:

King County reported a significant drop in gun violence during Q1 2025, with shooting victims down 41% and shots-fired incidents down 32% compared to the same period last year. Prosecutor Leesa Manion credited this progress to collaborative prevention efforts, including intervention programs and accountability measures led by the Gun Violence Prevention Unit. A video report available on fox13 (URL: https://www.fox13seattle.com/video/1633115 or  https://youtu.be/-yUKK3o2N1E?si=EJ_nIWjgI3cD1dxF) and is about 3 minutes in length.

Podcast Synopsis First Response: Episode 3 — Recovery Beyond the Hospital Bed

In the finale of this three‑part series, violence intervention specialists Paul Carter III and Tarrell Harrison Jr. from Harborview Medical Center, along with Mark Rivers of Community Passageways, share how they support gunshot survivors after surgery. From navigating medical bills and transportation to accessing trauma therapy, they highlight the community‑wide effort to help patients and families heal and move forward — with the goal of breaking cycles of violence and preventing future harm.

Podcast Synopsis:

In this episode of First Response, the focus turns to Harborview Medical Center’s groundbreaking approach to addressing the long-term impacts of gun violence. Rather than stopping at life-saving care, Harborview’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Program takes a holistic view—helping patients rebuild their lives beyond the operating room.

Launched in 2021, the program connects individuals affected by interpersonal gun violence with intervention specialists who provide practical and emotional support. From arranging transportation to assisting with medical bills, the goal is simple yet profound: ensure patients leave the hospital with more resources than they had coming in, reducing the likelihood of returning with another gunshot wound.

This conversation explores how the program began, why it prioritizes interpersonal gun violence, the challenges it faces, and the evolving mindset that treats gun violence as a public health issue. Hear from the people driving this initiative and learn how Harborview is reshaping recovery for survivors.

Podcast Synopsis:

In the opening episode of First Response, we hear directly from those on the front lines of Washington’s gun violence crisis: two surgeons, a nurse, and a paramedic share what it’s like to treat firearm injuries day after day—and how the experience shapes their lives.

Gun violence has surged in recent years, prompting the U.S. Surgeon General to declare it a public health crisis. At Harborview Medical Center, the state’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, this reality is impossible to ignore. These medical professionals aren’t just focused on saving lives in the moment; they’re grappling with the emotional toll and exploring ways to address the long-term impact of gun violence—and even prevent it altogether.

This episode offers an unfiltered look at what rising gun violence means for those who respond first, and why their perspective matters in shaping solutions.

Podcast Synopsis:

In this special 100 Days of Action episode of The Day With Trae, Paul Carter and Tarrell Harrison Jr. share how their lived experiences and deep community ties shape the way they support gun violence victims and families at Harborview Medical Center. Their work goes beyond clinical care—it’s about empathy, trust, and meeting people where they are.

Paul explains the power of simply being present: “Sometimes it’s sitting and talking about how they’re feeling today from the perspective of someone who looks like them.” Tarrell adds insight into anticipating needs and opening doors to resources that patients may not even realize exist.

This conversation highlights the human side of healing and the impact of compassionate care in addressing gun violence as a public health issue. It’s a story of hope, resilience, and the strength of community.

Article Synopsis:

In the first quarter of the year, 73 people were shot in King County, with 21 fatalities. Speaking at the inaugural Together We End Gun Violence conference, Eleuthera Lisch, director of the regional gun violence program for Public Health Seattle & King County, emphasized the need for continued research and dialogue, noting the devastating impact on children.

Community leaders and public officials gathered in Tacoma for this two-day event focused on addressing Washington’s growing gun violence crisis. Attendees included Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz, county executives from Pierce and King, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, and leaders of numerous community safety and diversion programs.

The conference and article highlight personal stories and underscore a growing commitment to collaborative solutions, community engagement, and the belief that every life is worth saving.

Article Synopsis:

Harborview Medical Center in Seattle has seen a sharp rise in gunshot wound cases, treating 526 patients in 2022 compared to 401 in 2020 and 308 in 2018. Dr. Eileen Bulger, Harborview’s chief of surgery, calls the increase “dramatic,” noting that the hospital now handles more than 500 cases annually—up from an average of 300 in previous years.

Bulger emphasized that gun violence must be addressed as a public health issue, not a political one, and that rural areas are also experiencing increases.

This article highlights personal stories of gun violence survivors and the bedside support offered by intervention specialists, along with practical advice such as safe gun storage. According to UW research, 63% of firearm owners in Washington do not store their guns locked and unloaded—a statistic that underscores the need for proactive solutions.