Many crimes are down in Federal Way, and murders are up — but according to the Federal Way Police Department, the murders are not random acts of violence, with half being domestic violence related.
Federal Way crime statistics sent to the Mirror by the mayor’s office — comparing crime from January 2024 through August 2024 to crime from January 2025 through August 2025 — show a decrease in many crimes in the city.
According to the data, at this point in the year last year, there were four murders in Federal Way, while there have been eight so far this year through August — a 100% increase.
At this point in the year last year, there were 171 narcotic offenses in Federal Way, while there have been 236 so far this year through August — a 38% increase. Simple assaults increased by 4%, with 522 offenses reported by this point in 2024 and 543 so far this year through August.
FWPD Cmdr. Kyle Buchanan said that murders this year related to domestic violence are higher than in previous years, with four out of eight being related to domestic violence. Buchanan said domestic violence incidents are particularly challenging to prevent, despite the department’s efforts to arrest offenders and connect victims with resources.
“We want to reassure residents that none of the homicides this year were random acts of violence. In each case, the victim and suspect were known to one another,” Buchanan said. “While even a single homicide is tragic, the likelihood of random victimization remains very low in Federal Way.”
Of the homicide cases this year, Buchanan said charges have been filed in four cases.
• The first filing was for the May 3 shooting death of a man at the Uptown Square Apartments, 1066 South 320th St., but the killing was found to be in self-defense. In that case, a 13-year-old girl shot and killed a man who told her he would blow her head off, and then he and another boy attempted to punch her, grabbed at her and possibly tried to take her coat off before she shot the man.
• The second murder charges filed were for a suspect in the May 3 fatal stabbing of a man at the Cove Apartment Homes, 33131 First Ave. SW. Buchanan said charges were filed, but the suspect has not been taken into custody.
• Buchanan said the third murder charge filing was for the May 29 death of a 5-year-old girl at the Glen Park Apartments, 952 SW Campus Drive. According to the King County Adult and Juvenile Detention Jail Lookup Portal, one of the suspects in the case, Woo Jin Hahn, was charged in a homicide investigation, and his bail was set at $2,500,000.
• The fourth murder charge filing was for Matthew David Krutenat, who is a suspect in the Aug. 25 shooting death at The Shores Apartments, 31821 Third Place SW.
“It’s important to understand that homicide investigations often rely on forensic evidence and witness testimony,” Buchanan said. “Forensic processing can take significant time, and witness cooperation is not always immediate. These factors, while outside of FWPD’s control, can delay the charging process.”
Other crime data
The city has seen significant decreases in several crime categories so far this year.
• Robbery: January through August 2024 — 97. January through August 2025 — 49. (49% decrease)
• Aggravated assault: January through August 2024 — 223. January through August 2025 — 150. (33% decrease)
• Residential burglary: January through August 2024 — 106. January through August 2025 — 72. (32% decrease)
• Commercial burglary: January through August 2024 — 292. January through August 2025 — 93. (68% decrease)
• Larceny: January through August 2024 — 1,726. January through August 2025 — 1,352. (22% decrease)
• Motor vehicle theft: January through August 2024 — 789. January through August 2025 — 352. (55% decrease)
Regarding shots fired incidents, in January through August 2024, there had been 85 shots fired, while there have been 46 shots fired through August this year. This is a 46% decrease.
The department has seen crime go down since state laws were repealed that prevented officers from pursuing crimes involving stolen vehicles. Buchanan said stolen vehicles are often used to commit crimes, but the city has now seen a significant decrease in vehicle thefts.
“This decrease in auto theft has had a direct impact on reducing burglaries, robberies and other violent crimes,” Buchanan said. “In addition, FWPD has implemented several targeted strategies to reduce crime in the community, including proactive drug enforcement.”
When crime is down in the city, officers spend less time responding to major crime scenes and can instead focus more on proactive enforcement and community safety. Buchanan said an example of more proactive enforcement is traffic enforcement. He said in 2025, there have only been two collisions resulting in death, which is lower than the city typically sees.
“Through August 2025, FWPD officers issued 7,228 traffic infractions compared to 3,968 during the same period in 2024 — an 82% increase,” Buchanan said. “This proactive enforcement has contributed to a reduction in collisions, including those resulting in serious injuries.”
Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell said he believes there is a strong correlation with the increase in drug and narcotic crime arrests. Ferrell said that arresting people involved in drug offenses helps reduce overall crime and creates a safer community.
“Those involved in illegal drug use and distribution are significantly more likely to commit other crimes,” Ferrell said. “Property crimes, in particular, can be driven by drug-seeking behavior.”
Ferrell said when crime is down in the city, it means residents can live their lives without fear of being victimized. Ferrell said public safety is the city’s number one priority.
Regarding people who don’t feel that crime is down, Ferrell said he wants to reassure community members that the city is working to protect them daily.
“Statistics are cold comfort for those who’ve been personally affected by crime,” Ferrell said. “I want our residents to know that our police officers and city government are fully committed to their safety and work tirelessly to protect them every day.”
