Nearly 50 community members came together to observe a critical discussion on youth and gun violence on March 4 and the message was clear: There is hope if we can work together.
Hosted by the Seattle City Club, the event featured three speakers from the Seattle Police Department – South Precinct Captain Heidi Tuttle, Acting Assistant Chief Rob Brown, and Lieutenant Sean Moore – along with King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion and nonprofit leader Paul Patu of Urban Family, which focuses on youth and family support in South Seattle. Journalist David Rose of Fox-13 moderated the event.
Tuttle emphasized her and her officers’ proactive approach to building trust with students.
Starting last month, one week before a tragic double homicide of two Rainier Beach High School students, two SPD officers began patrolling five schools in the vicinity on foot and engaging with students to foster relationships before school starts and after school ends.
“Their job is to be present,” Tuttle told the audience. If officers aren’t available, she said she works to fill their spot with partners such as Urban Family. Consistency is key to building trust and relationships that are vital to keeping children safe, she said.
King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion said shots fired countywide were down 33% last year compared to 2024, but that “we still have important work to do.”
The discussion was a reminder that preventing youth gun violence is a community priority and shared responsibility, combing proactive policing, engagement, and care.
