Fugitive murder suspect shot, killed by law enforcement in Kent

KENT, Wash. — A fugitive murder suspect was shot and killed at a Kent apartment complex on Wednesday evening after a multi-agency task force attempted to take him into custody, according to the Seattle Police Department.

At about 5:45 p.m., members of the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force attempted to serve a warrant for the man’s arrest at the Skyview Apartments in the 3500 block of South 22nd Place, near River Ridge Elementary School.

Upon arriving at the residence, law enforcement officers knocked on the suspect’s door and announced themselves.

When the man opened the door, he charged at officers with a knife.

An officer with SPD, a deputy with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and a deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service then fired their weapons and struck the man, according to SPD Detective Valerie Carson.

Law enforcement and fire personnel attempted lifesaving measures, but the suspect died at the scene. No officers were hurt.

The SPD Force Investigation Team said they will be conducting an investigation into the shooting.

“This is something that no officer wants to be a part of, and it is not something that we want to do, but when it happens, we do want to make sure that we investigate as thoroughly as possible,” said Carson.

Police have not yet identified the man who was fatally shot by officers.

A woman told KIRO 7 that the man who was killed was her best friend, who had been staying with her at the Skyview Apartments. She also mentioned that he was from out of town.

She claimed the man was wanted in connection with an ongoing case in California but believes officers went after the wrong person.

“My best friend was 27. That’s how old my best friend was and they fatally shot him. And then they let me sit out here for an hour knowing who I was,” said the woman, who asked not to be identified. “They won’t let me go back inside my apartment. They won’t let me get any clothes. They won’t let me do anything and they won’t tell me nothing.”

The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is led by the U.S. Marshals Service and is comprised of 27 law enforcement agencies, including Seattle Police, Washington State Patrol and the U.S. Secret Service. The team specializes in locating and arresting violent fugitives for crimes, including homicides.

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