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McKenna: Families of ‘Jungle’ shooting victims might try to put Seattle on the hook

It wouldn't come as a shock to former Attorney General Rob McKenna if the families of the people killed in The Jungle tried to find a way to blame the City of Seattle. (KIRO 7)

It wouldn’t come as a shock to former Attorney General Rob McKenna if families of the people killed in The Jungle try to find a way to blame the City of Seattle.

Though he has his doubts that there could be a viable case, he told KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross that he wouldn’t be surprised if the families are talking to a lawyer about the issue.

“The family of the murder victims might come in and say, this is partially your fault [for not regulating the homeless encampment],” McKenna said.

Related: Despite push to find a safe place, some campground hosts saying no to homeless RVs

Two people were killed and another three were injured in a shooting in January at the homeless encampment in SoDO. The shooting comes at a time when the city is figuring out ways to accommodate its homeless population.

“I wouldn’t be surprised that the family of the victims tried to find an angle that puts the City of Seattle on the hook,” he added.

The Seattle Police Department arrested three teenagers they believe were involved in the fatal shooting of Jeannine Zapata and James Tran. The teenagers, who are not being named because of their ages, were allegedly collecting a drug debt for their mother.

The teens are in custody, but what about the mother? Does it matter whether or not she knew they were armed?

McKenna assumes the mother hasn’t been arrested yet because police are building a case against her. Though her knowledge of the teens’ plans might have some bearing on her culpability for the murders, McKenna said it’s unlikely she didn’t know they were armed. In the end, interrogations will reveal the mother’s level of involvement, he added.

There’s a good chance the mother of the teens will be charged with manslaughter or murder, McKenna explained. Why? Take the getaway driver of a bank robbery, for example: that person can be charged with murder if the robbers inside a bank kill people, he said. Whatever the teens are charged with, she will likely be charged with as well, according to McKenna.

City and state officials took a walking tour of The Jungle on Wednesday. It was the second tour in two weeks as city departments compile reports to make a plan for the site, which could be closed down sometime in the future.

Dave Ross on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM

  • Tune in to KIRO Radio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

About the Author

Kipp Robertson

Kipp joined the MyNorthwest.com team in February 2015. He's worked as a reporter in the greater Seattle area since graduating from Western Washington University in 2010.

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