Tacoma seeing most homicides in more than 20 years

Domestic violence cases increase this year and homicide investigation underway in Northgate

Seattle Police and detectives are currently investigating a homicide at a Northgate home. Officials say they've seen an increase in domestic violence cases this year.

TACOMA, Wash. - Authorities say more people have been killed in Tacoma, Washington, this year than in any of the last 22 years.

The News Tribune reports that so far, there have been 25 homicides. That’s up from 23 last year and 18 in 2018.

The last time the homicide rate hit 25 was in 1998.

Police say there is no obvious cause for the increase. Homicides have occurred in all areas of the city, and they involved gang-related shootings, drug-fueled feuds, random attacks and domestic violence.

“It’s our normal mixture of everything,” Tacoma police spokeswoman Wendy Haddow said. “There is no identifiable trend to link any cause or factors in the homicides that have occurred in the city this year.”