Seattle Police have released a video capturing a disturbing incident where a man attacked several people with a hammer at a light rail station on September 28, 2023. In recent reports, it has been revealed that masked suspects are prowling the streets of Seattle, specifically targeting high school students and robbing them of their phones and personal belongings.
According to police, there have been four reported incidents near Ballard High School and Whitman Middle School, which are located about 1.5 miles apart. The suspects involved in these incidents are described as a group of 4-6 individuals, mostly consisting of Black males wearing ski masks or hoodies. However, there have also been reports suggesting the involvement of an Asian male and a Black female in one of the incidents.
Students from Ballard High School have spoken out about their experiences, with one sophomore recounting a harrowing incident where he was violently attacked by a group of individuals while walking home from school. The victims have reported being thrown to the ground, beaten, and forced to hand over their phones and other belongings. Some victims have even claimed to have seen a firearm during these encounters.
Parents and students have expressed their concerns about the escalating number of incidents, with some stating that there have been six different incidents in total. The brazen nature of these robberies, occurring in broad daylight, has left the community shaken.
Ballard High School Principal Abby Hunt has assured parents that she is working closely with regional school leaders and the district’s safety and security team to ensure the safety of the campuses. However, one anonymous parent has criticized the lack of police response when her child was attacked at gunpoint. The parent highlighted the need for immediate action to address the safety concerns of students walking home from school.
It is worth noting that Seattle Public Schools cut ties with the Seattle Police Department in 2020 following nationwide protests and demands to defund police departments. However, in response to recent instances of violent crimes, including a fatal shooting at a high school, the district’s school board passed the SPS Safety Initiative to review campus safety and create community action teams, involving district leaders and police.
The Seattle Police Department has faced significant challenges in maintaining adequate staffing levels due to retirements and resignations, with at least 600 officers leaving since 2020. Despite recruitment and retention efforts, the department currently has the lowest level of staffing since 1991, with just 937 police officers.
In response to these incidents, the Seattle Police Department has pledged to deploy more patrols near the schools when staffing allows. They have emphasized that these crimes targeting youth are a high priority and have urged the community to remain vigilant and prioritize their safety.
The string of robberies targeting high school students in Seattle has raised significant concerns among parents, students, and law enforcement agencies. The community is demanding immediate action to address these safety issues and ensure the well-being of students walking home from school.
