FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — The 2-year-old child who was shot and killed in Federal Way last week has been identified by the King County Medical Examiner's Office.
SynSyr Lewis was shot in the head on April 4 in the parking lot of an IHOP location off Southwest Campus Drive.
Police said "preliminary investigations" suggest the child's father and another person were shooting at each other in the parking lot and that this was not a random occurrence.
As of Friday, April 5, investigators believe a suspect, who has not been identified, fired at the 2-year-old's father, who returned fire in self-defense. The father is believed to have been targeted.
“We're going to move heaven and earth to find who pulled that trigger, we'll find them,” said Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell.
Ferrell said the police department has its patrol officers and special operations unit patrolling the Pacific Highway area, and the city has spent $1 million in overtime to have a presence there.
In the wake of the recent gun violence, Ferrell said he wants to add more safety resources. He said the city added 13 officers to the force in 2021, and plans to propose adding at least six more officers in the next budget.
He will make his official proposal to city council in September and wants to apply for the Cops Grant which is federal funding that helps pay for the officer’s salaries.
“Know that we are absolutely committed to making this a safer area, it’s our top priority. We're going to put the resources and the will power into doing this,” Ferrell said.
Police are asking anyone with information to call them at 253-835-2121. Tips can also be submitted through the Crimestoppers website.
Witnesses told detectives that the suspect is associated with a silver or light-colored Hyundai sedan, which they used to flee the scene and was stolen, according to Federal Way police.
Just a day after Lewis was shot and killed, a teen girl was shot during another apparent targeted shooting at a Federal Way apartment complex. The teen has non-life-threatening injuries, police said, after being struck in the leg. The teen was transported to the hospital for treatment.
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