Kent Police arrested a 27-year-old Kent man for investigation of reckless endangerment and driving under the influence after he reportedly sped through an apartment complex parking lot while shooting a gun out of a white Dodge Charger.
Multiple officers responded at about 2:26 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14 to the 24600 block of 64th Avenue South regarding a 911 call that someone was shooting a gun out of a car, according to an Oct. 15 Kent Police news release. The caller said the vehicle kept leaving and then coming back into the apartment complex parking lot.
Three officers arrived quickly and located the car running but stationary in front of a unit of apartments. They noticed that the reverse and brake lights on the vehicle were coming on and off, and watched as it lurched forward a short bit and then stopped again.
They strategically set up to safely call out the vehicle occupants who were believed to be armed, and patiently gave orders for them to exit, according to police. Although initially not compliant with commands, the driver, a 27-year-old Kent man, and his girlfriend, a 35-year-old Kent woman, eventually exited and were detained. They both live inside an apartment at the address where the incident occurred.
Officers cleared the vehicle to ensure there were no additional suspects inside and reportedly saw in plain view a handgun on the front passenger seat. The gun was not inside a holster.
One witness said that they saw the car speeding back and forth inside the complex and reportedly heard and saw the driver fire the gun from inside, according to police. Officers scoured the parking lot and were able to locate multiple bullet casings believed to be related to the incident.
The driver admitted to drinking and using marijuana prior. When asked by an officer about firing the gun, the man said in response that ‘things have gotten sketchy,” with no further explanation, according to police.
Due the admission of drug use, an officer authored a search warrant for a blood sample from the driver, which was later approved by a judge. The man was taken to a local hospital for a blood draw, and then booked into the city of Kent jail for DUI and reckless endangerment. The female passenger was released.
The handgun, a 9mm Glock pistol, was entered into evidence along with a loaded magazine and the casings found on the ground.
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