Seattle mayoral candidate: Our officers are more like warriors

Jun 20, 2017, 9:49 AM | Updated: 3:29 pm

(AP)

Former MyNorthwest Content Editor

Seattle mayoral candidate Nikkita Oliver says there are many factors that contributed to the fatal shooting of a black pregnant mother at a Sand Point housing complex on Sunday.

The overarching problem has to do with “excessive use of force” by police, she told Seattle’s Morning News. But there are many connecting issues.

“It’s the way our police officers are training to be more like warriors than peacemakers,” she said. “It’s the sorts of encounters police officer tend to have in low-income communities like the one Charleena Lyles lived in.”

Lyles lived in Sand Point with her four children. Her family says she was three months pregnant and had a history of mental health problems.

When police responded to a burglary call at the apartment, they say Lyles came at them with a knife.

Listen to the entire interview with Oliver here.

Oliver isn’t the only candidate to respond to the shooting.

Jenny Durkan

Former U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan wrote her “heart breaks” for Lyles and her family and stated that the city must have answers to “many questions.”

“Asking ‘why’ and demanding answers is the cornerstone of true accountability and justice,” she wrote.

Read her statement here.

Jessyn Farrell

State Rep. Jessyn Farrell called the shooting a “tragic loss” on Twitter.

“As with any officer-involved shooting, there must be a full and fair inquiry into the circumstances and the need for deadly force,” she wrote on Facebook.

Tragic loss in Magnuson Park today. Will need answers in the coming days. For now, my thoughts are with Charleena Lyles’ kids and family.

— Jessyn Farrell (@jessynfarrell1) June 19, 2017

Read her statement on Facebook.

Bob Hasegawa

State Senator Bob Hasegawa wrote on Facebook: “We need to recognize the tragedy of what took place and the community’s need to reflect.”

He also linked to a GoFundMe page that is raising money for Lyles’ family and sent the following tweet:

Charleena Lyles #SayHerName #SeattleInsolidarity

— Bob Hasegawa (@bhasegawa) June 19, 2017

Mike McGinn’s response

Former Seattle Mayor and current candidate Mike McGinn sent several tweets and released a statement regarding the shooting.

The death of Charleena Lyles is devastating. Sadly, as a city, we have been here before—and we will be again without significant change.

— Mike McGinn (@mayormcginn) June 19, 2017

Much has to change — officer training, Washington law, and accountability procedures. The consent decree can’t make all of these changes.

— Mike McGinn (@mayormcginn) June 19, 2017

Read his statement here.