Update: February 20, 2017 6:45 p.m.
In the interest of transparency and in accordance to Seattle Police Department policy, the department is releasing a photo of the suspect’s handgun, found by detectives on the floor of the stolen car, as well as bodyworn video and dashcam of the incident.
The following video shows Seattle Police officer bodyworn footage of the initial contact with the suspect, the suspect firing at the officer and the officer returning fire; dashcam of the suspect colliding with a Seattle Police car; and the final encounter where an officer fired upon the suspect.
- The initial contact occurred in the 6000 block of 34th Avenue NE at 4:28 a.m. After the exchange of gunfire, the suspect escaped into the surrounding neighborhood. Police set containment and began to track him with a K9 team.
- At around 5:11 a.m., the armed suspect broke into a home in the 6000 block of 27 Avenue NE. The suspect confronted the residents and robbed them of their car at gun point.
- The suspect sped away and was stopped at 5:15 a.m. when he collided with a Seattle Police patrol car in the 5500 block of 26 Avenue NE.
- Officers immediately contacted the suspect. During the encounter, one officer fired, striking the suspect. Several officers provided first aid to the wounded suspect. Seattle Fire Department medics responded and declared the suspect deceased at the scene.
Seattle Police Force Investigation Team (FIT) detectives continue to investigate this officer involved shooting. Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to contact FIT detectives at 206 684-9292.
Warning: This video contains graphic content.
Original post:
Seattle Police Force Investigation Team (FIT) detectives are investigating following a fatal officer-involved shooting early Monday morning in the Ravenna neighborhood.
At approximately 4:20 a.m., officers responded to the 6000 block of 34th Avenue NE for a report of a car prowl in progress. When officers arrived, they observed the adult male suspect inside a parked car.
The suspect fled on foot and officers gave chase. During the foot pursuit, the suspect fired a handgun at the officers. One officer returned fire. None of the officers were injured and the suspect continued to flee.
Additional officers and a K9 team responded to the area and began actively searching for the suspect.
The suspect broke into a home in the 6000 block of 27th Avenue NE and stole a vehicle from the residents at gunpoint. There were no reports of injuries during this robbery.
The suspect fled in the stolen vehicle before crashing it near NE 55 Street and 26th Avenue NE.
Officers attempted to take the suspect into custody at the collision scene.
During the encounter, one officer fired, striking the suspect.
Several officers provided first aid to the wounded suspect. Seattle Fire Department responded and declared the suspect deceased at the scene. Detectives recovered a handgun from inside the stolen vehicle.
FIT, Crime Scene Investigations (CSI), Robbery and Homicide detectives all responded to the scene.
Per SPD policy, designed in collaboration with the Department of Justice, detectives were joined on scene with representatives from the Office of Police Accountability. Also per SPD policy, the officers involved in the shooting will be placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
This information is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation proceeds.