Find Posts By Topic

Police Arrest Man After He Sets Fire to Patrol Car

Update: 10/16/20

Detectives with the Force Investigations Team have released body-worn, dashcam, and surveillance video from the ongoing investigation into the Thursday officer-involved shooting in South Lake Union.

The suspect can be seen in the video using a burning piece of lumber to attack an officer in his patrol car. The suspect then runs away as the officer opens fire.

Detectives later booked the 37-year-old suspect, who was not struck by gunfire, into King County Jail.

The officer, Caleb Pomazon, has been with the Seattle Police Department for one year and is currently on paid administrative leave per department policy.


Original 10/15/20

Around 1:30 PM, an officer was in their patrol vehicle in an alley between Dexter Avenue and John Street looking for a man who was reportedly brandishing a flaming piece of lumber.

The officer found the man, who threw the flaming lumber—believed to be a 2×2—into the patrol vehicle while the officer was still inside.

Additional responding officers chased the man into a parking garage where they deployed a taser and took him into custody.

One officer is believed to have discharged a firearm during the incident. The suspect was not struck.

Additionally, as officers were arresting the man, the flames from the burning lumber engulfed the entire patrol vehicle. 

One officer was transported to Harborview Medical Center with non-life-threatening burns.

Officers are also checking surrounding buildings in the area to ensure no one else was injured in the incident.

The Seattle Police Department’s Force Investigation Team is on scene conducting interviews and gathering evidence.

Details are preliminary and more information will be posted as it becomes available.