Seattle breaks all-time high homicide record set in 1994

A man who was beaten and stomped on earlier this year in downtown Seattle has died from his injuries to become Seattle’s 70th homicide victim this year, breaking the previous all-time high homicide record set in 1994.

According to the Seattle Police Department, the assault occurred at approximately 11:30 am on June 26 in front of the Morrison Hotel, a homeless facility operated by the embattled Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) on Third Avenue.

KOMO News reported that homicide detectives were notified this week that the victim had died.

On the day of the attack, Seattle police arrested 60-year-old Keenan Byrd, a prolific offender. According to court documents, surveillance video shows Byrd punching the victim twice and then pushing him into the door of the DESC facility.

2023 YTD Total: 71*
2023 Fatal Police Shootings: 0
2022 Total: 57
2022 Fatal Police Shootings: 3
10 Year Average: 31.5
Record High: 71 in 2023
*Includes the death of Baby Kwon

— Seattle Homicide (@HomicideSeattle) December 1, 2023