Seattle City Wire

Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell released the following statement:

“My deepest condolences go out to Sung Kwon and the entire family of Eina Kwon who was tragically murdered this past Tuesday in our Belltown Neighborhood. Eina was a leader in our community and business owner, running Aburiya Bento House with her family. What was supposed to be a joyful time for the Kwon family has turned into an unimaginable nightmare caused by senseless gun violence. 

“This tragedy is horrific in so many ways – we have lost a mother and unborn child from an act of unprovoked violence. My heart is with Sung, who I spoke to today to express our support and condolences – he is a grieving but resilient father and husband who is grappling with unimaginable pain while recovering from his own injuries. My heart is also with their young child, who will grow up without their mother, and our broader community that must process yet another traumatic, unnecessary incident that leaves our community hurting and incomplete. It is a universal truth that every person desires to be safe and feel safe in their neighborhood, and for AAPI and immigrant communities in particular, this loss drives an agonizing grief and reinforces common fears – a reflection of too many incidents of hate and discrimination, as well as heartache rooted in love for one another. 

“This never should have happened. This tragedy is the result of the fact that there are too many guns on our streets, in this city and in this country, that allow individuals to make split-second decisions that can have devastating consequences. The fact of the matter is that there was a gun, which had been reported stolen, in the hands of someone who should never have had one. Last year alone, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) recovered nearly 1,350 guns, and this year they have already recovered nearly 630 guns. The epidemic of gun violence is causing irreparable harm to our communities, and it is unacceptable.    

“We must make every effort to keep our communities safe and must remain relentless in our efforts to take guns off our street, increase law enforcement and behavioral health resources, advance community-based solutions to gun violence, and hold those who cause harm accountable for their actions.  

“We are grateful to all the first responders who did everything they could to treat Sung, and try to save Eina and their baby. I commend SPD in making an immediate arrest of the suspect, and for their ongoing work as this case progresses. 

“Our entire community is mourning, and I join the Kwon family, friends, and our entire city as we process this tragedy and grieve this loss. I am holding the Kwon family and friends, employees and customers of Aburiya Bento House, downtown community members, and AAPI community members in my prayers during this difficult time.  

“Every day we are working to make our city be and feel safe, but incidents like this show there is more work to be done because even one death of this kind is abhorrent and unacceptable. Times like this are challenging for us all as we search for answers and seek to rationalize the irrational. Our response to this tragedy must be to come together in unity, honor the lives of Eina and the unborn child, and continue with action to keep our families and communities safe from violence.”  

Filed Under: Office of the Mayor, Public Safety 

Original source can be found here.