Seattle Records Most Homicides in at Least 44 Years in 2023

Seattle has officially broken its previous homicide record in recent history.

There have been 70 homicides so far in 2023. The previous record, based on Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs records dating back to 1979, was set in 1994, with 69 homicides.

The 70th homicide victim died this month from injuries related to a stabbing in late June. {snip}

{snip}

Homicides rose sharply in Seattle between 2019 and 2020 and have remained elevated compared to the 2010s and early 2000s:

• 2019: 28 homicides
• 2020: 52 homicides
• 2021: 42 homicides
• 2022: 52 homicides

The trend mirrors impacts seen across the state of Washington. According to the annual report compiled by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, there were 394 murders reported in Washington state in 2022, setting a new all-time record. {snip}

{snip}