Seattle's violent crime rate reached a 15-year high in 2022, surpassing the record set in 2021, according to a yearly crime report released by the Seattle Police Department (SPD). New data released by SPD indicates that violent crime increased by 4% compared to 2021, which was the previous all-time high in reported crimes. Totals in 2022, however, surpassed the 2021 mark with 49,577 violent and property crimes. The department reported that aggravated assault and motor vehicle thefts were "significantly" high in 2022 compared to a five-year weighted average. Officers investigated 52 homicides in 2022, an increase from 41 homicides in 2021. Of the 52 homicides in Seattle, 73% died from gun violence, according to the report. The report indicated 2022 had the second-highest total homicides after 53 homicides were reported in 2020. Police said shootings and shots fired reached an all-time in 2022. The previous high was 2021, followed by 2020, indicating a three-year trend in which shootings have increased. The Seattle Police Department verified 739 criminal shootings and shots fired citywide. There were 329 verified shootings in 2019, but this total has steadily risen each year. In 2022, police said 39 fatal shootings and 157 non-fatal shootings resulted from guns and shots fired events. READ THE FULL STORY: https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/seattle-2022-crime-report/281-61f06cb3-9d2b-4183-a6d8-476bf6b50963