County Council To Hear From Prosecuting Attorney, Law Enforcement Officials On Gang Violence

The Metropolitan King County Council’s Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee will be briefed on emerging gang violence issues in King County today, Tuesday, August 23 at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the 10th floor of the King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue in Seattle.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg, Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas, and Chief Deputy Steve Strachan and Detective Joe Gagliardi from the King County Sheriff’s Office will brief the Council on current gang issues facing South King County cities.

The King County Sheriff's Office has noted a shift in gang activity in recent years from within Seattle city limits to South King County, according to a press release announcing today's meeting.

Last month, 13 people were injured at a car show in Kent from a shooting that was believed to be gang-related. After the incident, the Kent Police Department attended a Gang Violence Intervention Summit and department officials are working to create strategies to respond to street gang activity and the increasing gang-related violence in South King County.

Renton has also suffered from gang violence this year. Renton Police have attributes three shootings in the downtown core to possible gang violence.

Most recently, a teen was shot on May 10 in the parking lot of the former Big 5 Sporting Goods Store, which is the site of the new Downtown Renton Library. Almost a month earlier, on April 3, a 14-year-old boy was shot at the Renton Transit Center. And before that, on Jan. 28, a 17-year-old girl and a 24-year-old man were shot near the South 3rd Street Safeway. None of the shooters have been caught.

All of the shooting victims recovered from their injuries; however, the shootings have rattled Renton residents and downtown business owners.

Council proceedings can be seen live on King County TV on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable on channel 22, or online at www.kingcounty.gov/KCTV, or follow the deliberations on Twitter, @KCnews.