Update: SPD has updated its original Blotter post with more details on this shooting, including the fact that the man later died.
Here is some updated information on last night’s officer-involved shooting in the 10100 Block of 4th Avenue NW.
At about 7:35 pm last night officers responded to a domestic violence call at a home near NW 100th Place and 4th Avenue NW. Officers had received a report that an 21-year-old man was holding a knife to his father’s throat.
Officers arrived and approached the house and saw the suspect standing outside. As police attempted to talk to the 21-year-old man, his father came out of the home, and officers moved the father to safety and attempted to take the suspect into custody.
The suspect attempted to go back into the house once his father had been moved away. Officers attempted a taser application, but that was not effective. The suspect then ran southbound pursued by officers who tried a second taser deployment, again with no effect. The suspect stopped abruptly next to a parked car in an area that had very little ambient lighting. One of the pursuing officers slipped on the wet ground and fell on his back, landing near the suspect.
The suspect withdrew a long piece of metal from his beltline and raised it over his head, and came toward the officer. The three officers were forced to fire their weapons to defend themselves, striking the suspect. The long metal object turned out to be an 18 inch long piece of rebar.
They immediately called for Seattle Fire and Medics transported the man to Harborview Medical Center. The man was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Detectives from the Homicide and Assault Unit, as well as CSI responded to the scene and began their investigation. The three involved officers are currently on paid administrative leave, which is standard in any officer-involved shooting investigation. None of the officers involved were seriously hurt during this confrontation. This remains an active and on-going investigation.
Earlier: Seattle Police shot a man during a domestic violence/possible hostage situation in north Greenwood Tuesday night.
From the SPD Blotter:
Officers were forced to fire their weapons when a man suddenly raised a large piece of metal toward the officers after he ran from them following a domestic violence/hostage call officers were investigating in Northwest Seattle tonight.
At about 7:30 tonight, officers responded to a call of a domestic violence disturbance, possible hostage situation in the 10000 Block of 4th Avenue NW. The 911 call stated that a family member was threatening to hold the father hostage with a knife. Officers arrived at the house and made contact with the adult male suspect as he was walking out the front door. Officers were able to separate the suspect and the father and began giving the suspect verbal commands. The man refused to follow the officers’ commands, and attempted to get back into the house. At that point, one of the officers deployed his Taser, but it was ineffective.
The man then ran down the street, and officers followed. The man stopped abruptly and crouched behind a parked car. One of the pursuing officers slipped and fell near the suspect’s feet. The suspect then raised up from his crouched position holding a large piece of metal. At that point the officers were forced to fire their duty weapons. The suspect was struck several times and collapsed. Officers immediately called for Seattle Fire to respond, and he was taken to Harborview Medical Center.
Detectives responded to the scene and began their investigation. This remains an active and on-going investigation. This is preliminary information and we will have additional information tomorrow.
