By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
The King County Council has approved $150,000 to expand safe-passage efforts around Rainier Beach High School following the fatal shooting of two teenagers near campus earlier this year.
The funding comes in response to the Jan. 30 shooting that claimed the lives of Tyjon Malik Stewart, 18, and Tra’Veiah Houfmuse, 17, at a Metro bus stop near the school. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the King County Regional Office for Gun Violence Prevention worked alongside school leaders, community organizations and families around the clock to support students, coordinate community safety efforts and help stabilize the neighborhood.
The newly approved funding will allow those safe-passage efforts to continue, providing students with increased support as they travel between Metro bus stops and the school. Safe-passage programs place trained adults and trusted community members along students’ routes before and after school to provide a visible presence, build relationships and help deter violence.
“Our budget work as a council is critical to ensuring that King County is responsive to emerging and immediate community needs,” said Councilmember Rhonda Lewis, whose District 2 includes Rainier Beach. “We can be proud of the King County Regional Office for Gun Violence Prevention for stepping up and working with Rainier Beach High School and the surrounding community.”
In addition to approving the funding, the Council directed King County Metro to conduct a review of safety improvements at transit stops serving Rainier Beach High School, including evaluating infrastructure and security enhancements that could improve student safety.
Less than a month after the shooting, nearly 90 parents, educators, community members and public officials gathered for a two-hour virtual meeting hosted by the Southeast Principals, representing Rainier Beach High School, South Shore K-8, Alan T. Sugiyama High School and Interagency High School. The meeting focused on strengthening school safety and identifying both immediate and long-term solutions for students.
“The folks of the community really responded to this incident, and it shows what we can do when we’re working together,” said Paul Patu of Urban Family.
During the meeting, Seattle Police Department South Precinct Captain Heidi Tuttle outlined several public safety initiatives, including increased patrols during student arrival and dismissal times and plans to assign a detective liaison to work with youth most at risk of becoming involved in gun violence.
“This is an even greater opportunity for me to take the time to really collaborate with people’s relationships in honor of these two young men,” Tuttle said.
King County Metro also increased the presence of transit safety officers around the Rainier Beach bus stop during peak travel hours following the shooting. Officials said they worked with the community to preserve the memorial created for the two students while the bus stop was temporarily closed.
While officials discussed operational improvements, many parents focused on the emotional impact the tragedy has had on students and families.
“It’s a horrible feeling to have lost somebody, and there’s no place to see that they existed,” one parent said during the meeting. “These boys were particularly special, so not having something at the school has a grave impact going forward.”
Community organizations have continued providing support for students and families as the community heals.
Crystal Alexander, Southeast Seattle branch co-director of Community Passageways, said the organization immediately began providing grief support at Rainier Beach High School following the shooting and is expanding its presence near neighborhood light rail stations while offering youth healing programs, crisis intervention and mental health services.
“Our community is grieving, but we’re standing together,” Alexander said.
County leaders say the $150,000 investment is part of a broader effort to improve safety around Rainier Beach High School through stronger partnerships among schools, law enforcement, transit officials and community organizations.
