The Spotlight: Kid criminals - children as young as 12 committing violent felony crimes
Children as young as 12 years old are committing violent felony crimes with disturbing frequency. And yet, the data would suggest a different story, a dramatic drop in the number of youth offenders arrested, and even fewer actually facing a judge. What's really going on? FOX 13 is shining the spotlight on the juvenile justice system.
Children as young as 12 years old are committing violent felony crimes with disturbing frequency. And yet, the data would suggest a different story, a dramatic drop in the number of youth offenders arrested, and even fewer actually facing a judge. What's really going on? FOX 13 is shining the spotlight on the juvenile justice system.
Wild police chase: Video shows pursuit of three 15-year-olds accused of armed carjacking in Washington
Video from a King County Sheriff's helicopter captured a wild police chase of three 15-year-olds accused in an armed carjacking. The suspects are seen on video in a smoking Dodge Charger trying to escape Bellevue, Washington Police.
Video from a King County Sheriff's helicopter captured a wild police chase of three 15-year-olds accused in an armed carjacking. The suspects are seen on video in a smoking Dodge Charger trying to escape Bellevue, Washington Police.
Effort to roll back changes to police pursuit laws in Washington state
As it stands now, the law prohibits officers from pursuing car theft suspects unless they have established probable cause that they committed a crime.
As it stands now, the law prohibits officers from pursuing car theft suspects unless they have established probable cause that they committed a crime.
Effort to roll back changes to police pursuit laws in Washington state
As it stands now, the law prohibits officers from pursuing car theft suspects unless they have established probable cause that they committed a crime. If police witness a suspect commit a violent crime and then that suspect speeds away, they can pursue if the person is deemed dangerous enough. However, simply seeing someone driving a stolen car does not meet the standard for using force to stop them.
As it stands now, the law prohibits officers from pursuing car theft suspects unless they have established probable cause that they committed a crime. If police witness a suspect commit a violent crime and then that suspect speeds away, they can pursue if the person is deemed dangerous enough. However, simply seeing someone driving a stolen car does not meet the standard for using force to stop them.
The Spotlight: Pursuing Solutions
2023 is already off to the races courtesy of Dvante Jackson and a stolen late model luxury SUV. Prosecutors say Jackson tried to run over a Pierce County Sheriff’s deputy. Another risked his life to lay down spike strips to try to stop him. It took the Washington State Patrol’s aerial surveillance plane and a K-9 team to finally track down Jackson who was hiding in the muddy woods after he crashed the stolen SUV and took off on foot. The Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force says there were 45,033 vehicles reported stolen in Washington state in 2022, a 78 percent increase over the last 15 years. An average of 78 vehicles are stolen every day just in Pierce and King County. Why are so many cars and trucks being stolen? Thieves feel emboldened because of the police reform laws that went into effect in 2021 that prohibit officers from pursuing them unless they have established probable cause that they committed a crime. Simply seeing them driving a stolen car does not meet the standard for using force to stop them. The suspect can simply speed away. Prior to 2021, they could detain people based on reasonable suspicion that they committed a crime which is a lower evidentiary level of proof. If police witness a suspect commit a violent crime and then that suspect speeds away, they can pursue if the person is deemed dangerous enough. So, what’s the solution?
2023 is already off to the races courtesy of Dvante Jackson and a stolen late model luxury SUV. Prosecutors say Jackson tried to run over a Pierce County Sheriff’s deputy. Another risked his life to lay down spike strips to try to stop him. It took the Washington State Patrol’s aerial surveillance plane and a K-9 team to finally track down Jackson who was hiding in the muddy woods after he crashed the stolen SUV and took off on foot. The Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force says there were 45,033 vehicles reported stolen in Washington state in 2022, a 78 percent increase over the last 15 years. An average of 78 vehicles are stolen every day just in Pierce and King County. Why are so many cars and trucks being stolen? Thieves feel emboldened because of the police reform laws that went into effect in 2021 that prohibit officers from pursuing them unless they have established probable cause that they committed a crime. Simply seeing them driving a stolen car does not meet the standard for using force to stop them. The suspect can simply speed away. Prior to 2021, they could detain people based on reasonable suspicion that they committed a crime which is a lower evidentiary level of proof. If police witness a suspect commit a violent crime and then that suspect speeds away, they can pursue if the person is deemed dangerous enough. So, what’s the solution?
'It’s time to stand up and fight for our city:' Business owner's call to action for Seattle
Beacon Plumbing and Mechanical owner Bill Cahill says he is calling on other business owners and citizens to get involved public safety issues. Cahill says he is a big supporter of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s work so far but believes other local and state elected leaders are not making good decisions for the community as a whole. He believes the legislature went too far in enacting police reform laws that took away the authority officers had to pursue suspects in stolen vehicles. “I’m frustrated. This isn’t the city I grew up in. This is where my 6 children live. This is where my 10 grandchildren live. I love it here. It’s home. Always has been always will be, but we need to make some changes. I had a vehicle that was stolen. I saw a police officer from the city of Seattle and said, ‘Would you please help me to get my truck back?’ He says, ‘I have to stand down. We can’t get in a high speed chase’. I was in that high speed chase. Why am I doing the job for the Seattle Police Department? Our government here in Washington state needs to go against the grain because these officers have been told to stand down. I think we’ve had enough of it. It’s time to stand up and make a fight out of it for our city. Let police officers do their jobs,” said Cahill.
Beacon Plumbing and Mechanical owner Bill Cahill says he is calling on other business owners and citizens to get involved public safety issues. Cahill says he is a big supporter of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s work so far but believes other local and state elected leaders are not making good decisions for the community as a whole. He believes the legislature went too far in enacting police reform laws that took away the authority officers had to pursue suspects in stolen vehicles. “I’m frustrated. This isn’t the city I grew up in. This is where my 6 children live. This is where my 10 grandchildren live. I love it here. It’s home. Always has been always will be, but we need to make some changes. I had a vehicle that was stolen. I saw a police officer from the city of Seattle and said, ‘Would you please help me to get my truck back?’ He says, ‘I have to stand down. We can’t get in a high speed chase’. I was in that high speed chase. Why am I doing the job for the Seattle Police Department? Our government here in Washington state needs to go against the grain because these officers have been told to stand down. I think we’ve had enough of it. It’s time to stand up and make a fight out of it for our city. Let police officers do their jobs,” said Cahill.
Update on crime in Pierce County: Jail reopens to bookings for property crimes
Sgt. Darren Moss with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department spoke with FOX 13's David Rose to give an update on the state of crime in the county.
Sgt. Darren Moss with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department spoke with FOX 13's David Rose to give an update on the state of crime in the county.
The Spotlight: 2022 sets records for shootings, thefts, drugs and death
The Spotlight may sound like a broken record because in 2022 so many records have been broken. Record numbers of shootings, thefts, drugs and deaths. All this data is collected on crime dashboards and, like a car that's been neglected, the warning lights on these dashboards have been flashing for months. Tacoma, Washington had 39 homicides as of Dec. 4, the city's deadliest year in four decades. Violence hit a new high in Seattle too. Shootings and shots fired calls are up 144% in Seattle in the last ten years.
The Spotlight may sound like a broken record because in 2022 so many records have been broken. Record numbers of shootings, thefts, drugs and deaths. All this data is collected on crime dashboards and, like a car that's been neglected, the warning lights on these dashboards have been flashing for months. Tacoma, Washington had 39 homicides as of Dec. 4, the city's deadliest year in four decades. Violence hit a new high in Seattle too. Shootings and shots fired calls are up 144% in Seattle in the last ten years.
Suspect charged in deadly hit and run after King Co. Council budgets $50K reward to crack the case
A man has now been charged with vehicular homicide and hit-and-run after a tipster contacted Seattle Police and Crime Stoppers with knowledge of the crime. The victim's family said a $50,000 reward budgeted from the King County Council helped incentivize people to come forward.
A man has now been charged with vehicular homicide and hit-and-run after a tipster contacted Seattle Police and Crime Stoppers with knowledge of the crime. The victim's family said a $50,000 reward budgeted from the King County Council helped incentivize people to come forward.
Washington State Patrol stepping away from Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force
While stolen cars continue to be an issue throughout Western Washington, law enforcement is losing resources at the end of the year.
While stolen cars continue to be an issue throughout Western Washington, law enforcement is losing resources at the end of the year.
The Spotlight: Genetic genealogy bringing justice to cold case victims and their families
More and more cold cases from decades ago are being solved with the help of DNA, and more killers who were once able to get away with murder are being convicted thanks to genetic genealogy.
More and more cold cases from decades ago are being solved with the help of DNA, and more killers who were once able to get away with murder are being convicted thanks to genetic genealogy.
The Spotlight: Genetic Informants
Just how long is the Long Arm of the Law? Again and again, criminals are finding out ? arrested for decades-old crimes thanks to a particular form of DNA evidence: Genetic Genealogy. Now, on the anniversary of the first-ever murder to test this technique in a court of law, the Spotlight talks with a Pulitzer Prize-winning author about the origins of genetic genealogy and where it goes from here ? there are other uses besides murder cases. Plus we show you the tool now being deployed in Washington state that?s finding evidence where none was thought to be present: just how does the M-VAC system work?
Just how long is the Long Arm of the Law? Again and again, criminals are finding out ? arrested for decades-old crimes thanks to a particular form of DNA evidence: Genetic Genealogy. Now, on the anniversary of the first-ever murder to test this technique in a court of law, the Spotlight talks with a Pulitzer Prize-winning author about the origins of genetic genealogy and where it goes from here ? there are other uses besides murder cases. Plus we show you the tool now being deployed in Washington state that?s finding evidence where none was thought to be present: just how does the M-VAC system work?
Seattle Police Chief wants to form department liaison to support families of murder victims
Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz told The Spotlight that he is trying to create a position within the department with the goal of helping and supporting families of homicide victims.
Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz told The Spotlight that he is trying to create a position within the department with the goal of helping and supporting families of homicide victims.
Seattle Police Chief wants to form department liaison to support families of homicide victims
Chief Adrian Diaz says he understands these families need support-- not just from groups like the Parents of Murdered Children chapter in Washington state, but also from the Seattle Police Department.
Chief Adrian Diaz says he understands these families need support-- not just from groups like the Parents of Murdered Children chapter in Washington state, but also from the Seattle Police Department.
The Spotlight: Where's the justice?
The gap between a crime and a conviction can be a wide one, as seen in the latest FBI data available.
The gap between a crime and a conviction can be a wide one, as seen in the latest FBI data available.
Mom wants answers and justice for her son, who was murdered 7 months ago
A family is still searching for answers nearly seven months after a 23-year-old was shot and killed in Seattle?s Chinatown International District. Police say on April 20, Gibson Moore was shot and killed outside the Addison building near Main and Fourth, trying to break up a fight.
A family is still searching for answers nearly seven months after a 23-year-old was shot and killed in Seattle?s Chinatown International District. Police say on April 20, Gibson Moore was shot and killed outside the Addison building near Main and Fourth, trying to break up a fight.
The Spotlight: Where?s the Justice?
The cities of Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett expect to end 2022 with record or near-record numbers of homicides, even as they experience staff shortages. Too many families seeking tips from the public are left grieving with no answers on their loved ones' unsolved murders as we head into the holidays.
The cities of Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett expect to end 2022 with record or near-record numbers of homicides, even as they experience staff shortages. Too many families seeking tips from the public are left grieving with no answers on their loved ones' unsolved murders as we head into the holidays.
Mothers turn grief into action, form support group for parents of gun violence victims
Teenagers Conner Dassa-Holland and Adriel Webb were shot and killed in Seattle just two months apart in 2020. Now, their mothers are turning their grief into action, co-founding the Parents of Murdered Children chapter in Washington.
Teenagers Conner Dassa-Holland and Adriel Webb were shot and killed in Seattle just two months apart in 2020. Now, their mothers are turning their grief into action, co-founding the Parents of Murdered Children chapter in Washington.
Mothers turn grief into action, form support group for parents of gun violence victims
Conner Dassa-Holland and Adriel Webb were shot and killed just a month apart in 2020. Their mothers, friends Alicia and Shalonie, have turned their grief into action?forming the Washington State chapter of Parents of Murdered Children. It's a sisterhood with six members so far.
Conner Dassa-Holland and Adriel Webb were shot and killed just a month apart in 2020. Their mothers, friends Alicia and Shalonie, have turned their grief into action?forming the Washington State chapter of Parents of Murdered Children. It's a sisterhood with six members so far.
'We feel like the victims now'; Parents outraged over lack of progress investigating son’s murder
The parents of a man from Auburn who was beaten to death while visiting Pacific County in 2015 say they can't sit back and wait for justice anymore.
The parents of a man from Auburn who was beaten to death while visiting Pacific County in 2015 say they can't sit back and wait for justice anymore.