Kent mayor issues statement after several shootings in same area

After several days of gun violence on Kent’s West Hill, the city’s mayor issued a statement Sunday.

It comes after a third shooting in the area of Pacific Highway South and South Kent Des Moines Road, where just after 7 p.m. on Saturday, police said a man was shot in the lower body at a vigil honoring a man killed in a shooting on Friday.

The 39-year-old man killed Friday was shot when he visited a bus stop where his sons were shot on Wednesday.

Mayor Dana Ralph tweeted a statement regarding the gun violence:

“Residents and businesses are concerned following the recent shootings near the intersection of Pacific Highway South and Kent-Des Moines road on Kent’s West Hill.

“This violence that touches every part of our community is unacceptable. These shootings are not random and are linked to bad actors. The city of Kent will not waste time in confronting these violent crimes and will enact a rigorous system-wed approach to put an end to this violence.

“I have reached out to King County Executive Dow Constantine’s office, and he has agreed to convene a meeting between our offices, the King County Prosecutor’s Office, King County Adult and Juvenile Detention, and the Kent Police Department to develop a coordinated strategy to make the Pacific Highway South corridor safe and to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.

“Public safety will continue to be my top priority as your mayor, and I will do everything in my power to stop this violence.”

As for the 39-year-old man killed Friday, officials have not released his name.

Officials ask anyone who may have information about these shootings to call 911, the Kent Police tip line at (253)856-5808, or email KPDTipline@kentwa.gov. Reference Kent Police Case number 21-14569.