Murder reached an all-time high in 2022 and violent crime rose in Washington state while law enforcement staffing continue to nosedive, according to findings from the annual Crime in Washington report.

According to the annual report compiled by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), there were 394 murders reported in Washington state in 2022, setting a new all-time record. The 394 murders eclipsed Washington's previous record of 325 which was set in 2021. The crime report found that murders increased by nearly 17% in one year.

While the total number of murders reached an all-time high in 2022, Washington state's murder rate was higher in 1994 when adjusted for population, according to data compiled from the report. There were 297 murders reported across the state in 1994.

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