Following shooting that wounded 5, community gatherings to resume at Rainier Beach Safeway

The Boys and Girls Club of King County plans to resume its community outreach efforts at the Rainier Beach Safeway following a July 28 shooting in which five people were wounded. A return date has not yet been set.

Over the last three years, organizers have frequently held community gatherings in the grocery store's parking lot in an effort to address the root of gun violence, like that which took place last month. Advocates say there weren't any other instances of violence at the gatherings leading up to last month's shooting.

Marty Jackson is the executive director of the local Boys and Girls Club's SE Network SafetyNet Program, which organizes the community gatherings in question. Jackson grew up in this community and attended high school nearby. She said she's just one of many people working to uphold her community, and encouraged residents to get to know their neighbors.

“We didn't start this motivated by fear — we started motivated by love," she said during a press conference Thursday morning. "I love this place. Sometimes I hate that I love this place so much, but I love this place…love Rainier Beach High School — go Vikings! I’m always gonna say that, y’all. I’m a Viking to the core.”

She added that when it comes to the community healing in the wake of the shooting, it’s important to be mindful of fear-based reactions, which she said are short-sighted.

“Instead of being motivated by fear, and trying to fill up this place with law enforcement — nothing against law enforcement — but anything you do by fear isn't going to end well,” Jackson said.

She also asserted that law enforcement does have a role to play here, and part of that is facilitating better communication and building relationships with the Rainier Beach community.

That includes working with programs like hers, she said, and others in the community.

As of Thursday afternoon, the Seattle Police Department has not publicly identified any suspects or made announced any arrests in connection with the Safeway shooting.