By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
After a 26-year-old woman was shot multiple times in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood early Sunday morning, the incident was reported by local media with all the available details, but reaction from viewers and readers of the KOMO News coverage underscores the revulsion many in the region have toward the political direction of the city’s far-left government.
According to published reports, the woman—who was not identified—was transported to Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center. She had been in an altercation with a “suspect who left the scene.”
It was not so much the report of another shooting in downtown Seattle—they have happened before and will likely happen again—but how the public is reacting. When the Seattle Times published its report, the liberal newspaper closed its reader comment section with this note: “The Seattle Times closes comments on particularly sensitive stories. If you would like to share your thoughts or experiences in relation to this story, please email the reporter or submit a letter to be considered for publication in our Opinion section. You can read more about our community policies here.”
Only by reading public reaction at KOMO could anyone understand why the Times, which critics say leans increasingly farther to the political left, would be reluctant to allow readers to weigh in.
Here’s a sample of KOMO reader/viewer reactions:
- “The real problem lies with those who keep releasing violent offenders back onto the streets. There’s little accountability for the city, prosecutors, or the judicial system, and many of those making these decisions live in safer, wealthier neighborhoods, far removed from the daily impact of crime.”
- “Dear Pioneer Square Alliance: You ‘elected’ the wrong people and no amount of aspirational statements or community meetings are going to change the root problem you are facing. Just look at Belltown.”
- “There should be zero ‘gun violence’ with all the anti-2nd Amendment laws Inslee and Ferguson signed into law. Or maybe this is just Democrats being Democrats?”
- “A republican governor and mayor can change SOME laws and better enforce laws on the books. Yet, they cannot change laws enacted by the state legislature, e.g. sentencing guidelines. These are the people who, in concert with the governor and mayor, that need to be voted out.”
KOMO is conducting an online poll (one vote per respondent) on what should be done to bring some order back to the downtown area. With 85 percent approval, the notion of “Better enforcement of existing laws” is leading, followed by 12 percent support form “Increase late-night patrols” and with a paltry 4 percent approval, “More accountability for nightclubs.”
There was not a question about adding more gun control laws. However, the Seattle Times reported that the Alliance for Pioneer Square issued a statement declaring, “The issues contributing to gun violence in the neighborhood have been ongoing, and last night’s shooting underscores the need for sustained, visible action.” So, they are still attempting to blame firearms for the troubles in the downtown area.
The shooting incident happened about 1:30 a.m.. Sunday. The victim had suffered “multiple gunshot wounds to her torso.” At last report, she was in critical condition at Harborview.
