SEATTLE — The Seattle Police Department (SPD) said a spike in armed carjackings across the city—many involving teenage suspects—is straining investigators and raising public safety concerns.

The increase includes an incident more than a week ago in Belltown in which a 14-year-old boy was shot in self-defense after police said he was among a small group of people attempting to carjack a driver.

The teen remains in critical condition. Detectives warn they are facing a backlog of cases, while a state lawmaker fears the trend will worsen if changes are not made.

Rep. David Hackney said the rise in youth-involved carjackings is alarming.

“It’s an extremely dangerous behavior,” Hackney said.

According to SPD, “There have been multiple recent carjackings in Seattle... the overwhelming majori

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