UPDATE 1/25/2020:
In the interest of transparency and in keeping with department policy, the Seattle Police Department is releasing body worn video related to this incident.
WARNING – THIS VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT AND MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME VIEWERS.
ORIGINAL POST:
Seattle police and King County Sheriff’s deputies shot and wounded a suspect in a narcotics investigation Wednesday afternoon in Belltown.
Officers and deputies were conducting a narcotics operation near 3rd Avenue and Blanchard Street around 2:45 PM in response to community complaints about drug dealing in the area.
During the operation, police attempted to arrest a suspect in a vehicle at 3rd Avenue and Blanchard. When police approached the vehicle, officers reported seeing a gun.
SPD officers and King County Sheriff’s Deputies opened fire on the 25-year-old suspect, who was struck and wounded. Medics transported the man to Harborview Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
In accordance with Initiative 940, the South King County Valley Investigative Unit will conduct an independent investigation into the use of force during the incident. SPD detectives will also continue a separate criminal investigation of the suspect. Police are still interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence in the case.
This remains an active and on-going investigation. Information presented here is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation proceeds.