Kent Police fatally shot a 52-year-old man armed with a circular saw after responding to a verbal domestic dispute between the man and a female.
Officers responded at about 1:55 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 to the 12200 block of SE 259th Place on the East Hill and were advised by the 911 caller that the man was refusing to leave, acting erratically and was believed to be intoxicated, according to a Kent Police statement. The caller also relayed that the man was drinking gasoline and pouring in onto himself.
Initial information from a witness indicates that officers made contact with the man, who had reportedly armed himself with a circular saw, according to police. Officers attempted to back away from the man and use less-lethal measures to stop him, but this did not work.
Moments later, officers fired shots at the man.
Officers immediately performed lifesaving aid and were assisted by Puget Sound Fire personnel. Despite their efforts, the man did not survive.
Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla called in the Valley Independent Investigative Team (composed of police personnel from Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Port of Seattle and Tukwila) to investigate the shooting. Kent Police will not be part of the investigation.
The involved officers will be placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol. Kent Police did not release how many officers fired shots.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with the address of the incident.
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