Law And Courts

Law & Courts

15-year-old accused of killing his Fall City family tried to frame brother, investigators say

Investigators with the King County Sheriff’s Office accuse a 15-year-old juvenile of shooting everyone in his immediate family at their home in Fall City on Monday, killing five out of six family members. They say the teen also attempted to “stage” the scene and blame his 13-year-old brother, telling dispatchers that the 13-year-old had fired on others and then committed suicide.

SPD's on track for release from federal oversight despite flawed police contract, judge says

At a hearing Wednesday, the federal judge overseeing policing in Seattle made clear he’s disappointed with the city’s latest police contract. But he offered praise for improved practices at SPD as well.

Law & Courts

King County Sheriff’s lawsuit over Burien camping ban thrown out by federal judge

This week a federal judge in Seattle dismissed the King County Sheriff’s lawsuit over a homeless camping ban in the city of Burien, in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision supporting the rights of cities to enact those restrictions. It’s the latest step in a standoff between the sheriff and leaders of the city southwest of Seattle, over their attempts to restrict homeless encampments.

Crime

Why is Aurora Avenue crime concentrated in Seattle, not Shoreline?

There’s general agreement that Aurora Avenue North is starkly divided at North 145th street — the border between the cities of Seattle and Shoreline. The main question is why.

Race & Identity

2 men face RICO charges for violent home robberies in Western Washington that targeted Asian Americans

Federal prosecutors in Seattle have indicted two men on rarely used racketeering charges, related to a series of violent home robberies throughout Western Washington targeting Asian Americans in 2022. They said the charges follow a lengthy investigation across multiple jurisdictions that remains ongoing.

Crime

Seattle City Council considers 'prostitution loitering' law amid intense debate

The bill would put new gross misdemeanors into Seattle’s criminal code, targeting people charged with prostitution-related offenses, with special emphasis on pimps and buyers of sex.