Seattle’s soft-on-crime mayor is under the spotlight for her crime policies after two teenagers were shot dead outside a PreK-8 school in broad daylight.
Residents slammed Mayor Katie Wilson for failing to address spiraling youth crime in the Washington city after she issued condolences to the families of the students.
The two boys, who have not been named, were fatally gunned down at a bus stop beside South Shore PreK-8 school around 4pm on Friday in front of horrified children and teens.
Seattle Police said patrol officers rushed to the scene, but both victims were pronounced dead while the suspect fled the area on foot before cops arrived.
Mayor Wilson is known for her soft-on-crime approach, as she ran on a platform pushing for a model of community policing over strict enforcement.
She was previously a vocal supporter of defunding the police in the aftermath of George Floyd‘s murder in 2020, but her policies have become more nuanced since then.
Her X post mourning the loss of the two teenage boys was flooded with critics using the tragedy to accuse her of ‘enabling’ street violence through her crime policies.
‘Your rhetoric enables criminals. Your executive orders to Seattle police are so stupid the police force will ignore you,’ one infuriated Washingtonian wrote.
Mayor Katie Wilson (pictured) is known for her soft-on-crime approach, as she ran on a platform pushing for a model of community policing over strict law enforcement in Seattle
Residents slammed Mayor Katie Wilson for failing to address spiraling youth crime in the Washington city after she issued condolences to the families of the slain students on X
‘The old community policing model would work in these areas. Hire cops, not social workers to reduce crime and save lives,’ another agreed.
The mayor wrote on social media: ‘I was flying home from DC when I got the terrible news about the shootings in Rainier Beach this evening. I am heartbroken by the loss of two young Seattleites with their whole lives ahead of them.
‘Deputy Mayor Surratt and our partners Council President Hollingsworth, Councilmembers Lin and Foster, SPS Superintendent Fred Podesta, and School Board Director Jen LaVallee are on the ground doing what they can to respond to the situation. This community deserves justice.’
‘We deserve safety. Start there,’ one person replied.
‘Which community are you talking about?’ another person hit back at Wilson.
‘All of the residents of Seattle deserve justice. Lock up the criminals. No more coddling. Do your job and keep us safe.’
Seattle’s soft-on-crime mayor is under the spotlight for her crime policies after two teenagers were shot dead outside a K-8 school in broad daylight. Two teen boys, who have not been named, were gunned down at a bus stop beside South Shore PreK-8 school around 4pm Friday
Hundreds of people turned out on Saturday to mourn the beloved teens. Their young friends broke down in tears as they gathered a park vigil in the Washington city, as shown above
Seattle Police said patrol officers rushed to the scene, but both victims were pronounced dead while the suspect fled the area on foot before cops arrived. Pictured: Mourners at the memorial
Hundreds of people turned out to a vigil for the slain students in Seattle on Saturday
The shooting horror unfolded outside of South Shore PreK-8 school, and just a few short blocks from the Rainier Beach High School.
Pre-K8 schools typically serve students aged four to 14, and officials said pupils witnessed the shooting.
Hundreds of people turned out on Saturday to mourn the beloved teens. Their young friends broke down in tears as they gathered a park vigil in the Washington city.
Fred Podesta, the Superintendent for Seattle Public Schools, said horrific incidents like this are becoming increasingly common in the city.
‘It is with profound heartbreak that I share the devastating news of the death of two teenagers believed to be Seattle Public Schools (SPS) students, who were tragically shot at a bus stop near South Shore PreK-8 today after school,’ he said.
‘The district is working with the Seattle Police Department (SPD) to confirm all details.
‘The loss is almost impossible to put into words, and it is made even more painful by the reality that tragedies like this are becoming far too common in our communities.
‘Our deepest condolences are with the students’ families, friends, and all who knew and loved them.
‘Out of an abundance of caution and care for our community, SPS has canceled all activities at Rainier Beach, Alan T. Sugiyama High School, and South Shore PreK-8 for the remainder of this evening and throughout the weekend.’
EMTs tried to rescue the teens at the scene, but they were pronounced dead on the roadside
Police cordoned off the area outside the K-8 school shortly after the traumatic incident
‘We understand this loss may bring up a range of emotions for our students, staff, and families,’ he added. ‘We are especially concerned for the students and staff who witnessed this horrific event.
‘Experiencing something so traumatic can leave a lasting emotional impact, and we want to ensure that our students and staff receive the care and compassion they need during this difficult time.
‘SPS is mobilizing support services for students, staff, and families as they grieve and begin to process this profound loss.’
Podesta said he was ‘deeply appreciative of the swift actions taken’ by the Seattle Police Department.
The Daily Mail has contacted Wilson’s office for comment on the criticism.
According to crime statistics tracker Neighborhood Scout, Seattle residents have a shocking one in 129 chance of being a victim of a violent crime.
The robbery rate is over triple the national average at 2.22 cases for every 1,000 residents, and there are an average of 444 crimes per square mile in the city.
The city has also become known as a homelessness hotspot across the nation, and its unhoused population has surged by a staggering 88 percent in the past 10 years.
