SEATTLE, WA — Seattle hit a grim milestone in 2018. The city tallied more homicides this year than any year in more than a decade, according to Seattle police statistics.

As of Dec. 19, 31 people had been killed in Seattle, up 19 percent from 2017. Seattle's homicide rate, however, is still well below the national average. There were about 2.3 homicides per 100,000 people in 2018. The national rate is 4.9 per 100,000. The number of homicides in 2017 was also a high mark. Twenty-six people were murdered last year, the highest since 2009, and a 41 percent increase over 2016.

The total number of violent crimes in 2018 — including rape, robbery, and assault — also hit a 1o-year high, according to SPD figures. There were 4,318 violent crimes as of Dec. 18, the most over the last decade next to 2017 (4,306 violent crimes).

Patch has reached out to SPD multiple times with questions about the 2018 homicides, including how many remain unsolved. We will update this story if we hear back.



Here's a rundown of some homicides that happened in 2018, according to Seattle police. Dec. 3, 1st Ave and Yesler Way, Pioneer Square

A 37-year-old man was found shot on the sidewalk. He later died at Harborview.

Status: 19-year-old suspect arrested



Nov. 23, 7100 block of 44th Avenue South, Rainier Valley

A woman was found murdered inside a home being used as an illegal marijuana grow operation.

Status: Unknown

Nov. 7, 300 block of 4th Avenue South, Pioneer Square

A 44-year-old man was assaulted during what police called a "disturbance." He later died on Nov. 12.

Status: 41-year-old suspect arrested on Nov. 22

Nov. 4, 8400 block of Rainier Avenue South, Rainier Beach

A 51-year-old man was found dead near a tent in a wooded area off Rainier Avenue near Cloverdale Street.

Status: Unknown Oct. 25, North 90th Street and Nesbit Avenue North, Licton Springs

A homeless man, Daniel Alberto, 26, was shot and killed in the Licton Springs neighborhood. The suspect surrendered to police at the scene, and has "animosity" toward the homeless, according to King County prosecutors.

Status: John Thomas Davis, 55, has been charged with second-degree murder