t

Bothell man shot behind Kent YMCA dies from injuries

June 15 incident is third homicide in 10 days in the city; 10th so far this year

The 30-year-old Bothell man shot behind the Kent YMCA died from his injuries.

Miles Clark died from a gunshot wound of head, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office June 20 report. Clark died June 16 at a Seattle hospital, a day after the shooting.

Officers were dispatched at about 6:37 p.m. June 15 to the 10800 block of South 248th Street in response to a 911 call of a shooting, according to a Kent Police statement. As of June 20, police had not made an arrest.

Officers were advised that a man had been shot behind the YMCA and the shooter was seen fleeing northbound into a neighborhood. The first two officers to arrive found Clark on a Morrill Meadows Park bench with a gunshot wound to his head, according to police.

Officers began CPR and continued until medics arrived. Paramedics transported Clark to a Seattle hospital in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

Multiple officers flooded into the area to search for the suspected shooter. A Kent K-9 team tracked through the nearby neighborhood and Washington State Patrol assisted in the search with its air support unit.

“Despite a prolonged and intense effort, the suspect was not located,” according to police.

The suspect is described by witnesses as a tall, skinny Black male in his 20s, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, according to police.

Just prior to the shooting, Clark was sitting on a bench and was approached by the suspect. Witnesses saw a heated argument, then a struggle and then saw the suspect shoot Clark in the head, according to police.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 911, call the Kent Police tip line at 253-856-5808 or email KPDTipLine@kentwa.gov.

10th homicide this year

This is the 10th homicide in Kent in 2023, according to numbers compiled by the Kent Reporter from the Kent Police Department and King County Medical Examiner’s Office. Kent had 11 homicides in 2022, 14 in 2021, eight in 2020, four in 2019 and seven in 2018.

It is the third homicide in the city in 10 days.

• Abubakar Ahmed, 19, died of a gunshot wound to the torso June 13 inside the AMC Theatre at Kent Station.

• Baba Jawara, 18, of Kent, died June 5 from a gunshot wound of the chest, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office. Officers responded at about 11:15 p.m. June 4 to the area of 11300 SE Kent-Kangley Road in response to a 911 call of a shooting.

As of June 20, police had not made an arrest in any of the three cases.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Kent police investigate fatal two-vehicle collision

The collision killed a woman and left a 45-year-old Tacoma driver, suspected of intoxication at the time of the crash, hospitalized.

Competing for the 8th Congressional District: Carmen Goers, left, and Kim Schrier. COURTESY PHOTOS
Adam Smith and Kim Schrier will retain Congress seats | Election 2024

Smith represents the 9th Congressional District and Schrier represents the 8th Congressional District.

Courtesy of Democratic Caucus
Pictured left to right: Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D), Rep. David Hackney, and Rep. Steve Bergquist
Democratic incumbents in lead for 11th Legislative District

Bob Hasegawa, David Hackney and Steve Bergquist have strong leads, with Hasegawa and Hackney running unopposed.

Debra Entenman and Kyle Lyebyedyev. File photos
Entenman and Stearns lead in 47th District | Election 2024

The district includes Kent, Covington and Auburn.

File photo
Kent School District levy is failing at the polls | Election 2024

Early election results show voters rejecting the proposed Capital Projects and Technology Levy.

Larry Best, a customer coordinator for quality assurance who has worked at Boeing for 38 years, stands outside of Angel of the Winds Arena with a “vote no” sign on Monday in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists approve contract, ending 52-day strike

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Photos from the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington press release.
Kent man arrested in connection to violent drug trafficking gang investigation

Law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 60 firearms, and more than $130,000 in cash.

Courtesy Photo, King County
Son accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Kent back in jail

Dondre Butler has 3 violations in 13 months of electronic home detention after charged with murder in 2022

t
Kent Police targeted street patrols result in arrest of two felons

One driver spotted in a vehicle with no plates; another driver reportedly in a stolen vehicle

t
Kent cold case murder suspect back in state after governor’s warrant | Update

Kenneth Kundert fought extradition from Arkansas after August arrest in 1980 killing of Dorothy Silzel

t
City of Kent eyes November opening for Reith Road roundabouts

Two more roundabouts will bring total in city to six; three more in future plans