Homicides double in Federal Way as city reports crime overall down 25%

Federal Way, Wash. — Homicides in the city more than doubled in 2025 even as overall crime declined by about 25 percent, according to statistics released by the mayor’s office.

The eight homicides this year stand in contrast to four through August of last year, a jump officials described as a statistical anomaly within a broad trend of crime reduction. Federal Way is about 23 miles from Seattle and has a population of 101,030, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Half of this year’s deaths have been linked to domestic violence, police said, and they stressed that none of the homicides appeared to be random acts of violence.

The cases include a May 3 shooting of a 13-year-old girl, allegedly by Javier Garcia, 20, who was trying to rob her and had threatened to shoot. In late May, Woo Jin Hahn, 29, was arrested and charged with the second‑degree murder of his own daughter, according to court documents reported by local outlets. On Aug. 18, Matthew David Krutenat, 45, was arrested and charged in the death of Rashawn Lucas, who was pronounced dead at the scene after what police described as a gunshot wound to the left shoulder. Prosecutors have filed charges in four of Federal Way’s eight homicide cases.

City officials noted that the homicide rise occurs even as the city has seen broad declines in other crime categories this year. Total robberies are down 49 percent, aggravated assaults down 33 percent, commercial burglaries down 68 percent, and residential burglaries down 32 percent. Motor vehicle thefts have dropped 55 percent, from 789 cases last year to 352 so far in 2025. Police reported 46 shots fired so far this year, compared with 85 during January through August of 2024.

Public safety officials say the department’s focus remains on proactive enforcement, including drug crackdowns and traffic stops. Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell said those involved in illegal drug use and distribution are significantly more likely to commit other crimes, and he noted that property crimes can be driven by drug‑seeking behavior. Officials also stressed that while statistics provide context, they are not a consolation to residents who have been affected by violence, and city leaders pledged continued efforts to protect the community.

The year’s homicide cases are being investigated within a broader context of crime reduction citywide, and authorities cautioned against drawing broad conclusions about random violence from a single trend. As the city works to address the complex factors behind domestic violence and related incidents, officials emphasized ongoing collaboration with federal and regional partners to improve safety and support affected families.