The three Kent Police officers involved in a fatal shooting Nov. 4 of a man armed with a rifle remain on administrative leave as is standard procedure for any officer-involved shooting.
The three include a 38-year-old officer with 10 years of experience, a 31-year-old officer with six years of experience and a 29-year-old officer who has been with the department since 2019, according to a Nov. 19 press release from the Valley Independent Investigative Team. Their names have not been released.
A man armed with a rifle fired seven shots at Kent Police officers during a response Nov. 4 to a domestic violence call at a house on the East Hill.
Three officers returned fire with 22 shots and the man was struck and killed, according to a Nov. 10 press release from the Valley Independent Investigative Team. The exchange of gunfire took less than seven seconds.
Darren A. Butrick, 60, died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office. He reportedly exited the house to fire shots at the officers. He was found dead inside the front door.
Officers responded at about 8:08 p.m. to a house in the 13000 block of SE 204th Place, near Kentridge High School. Officers learned upon arriving that a man was armed with a rifle inside the home. They took positions outside and were able to get the other occupants from within the residence out safely. A brief standoff ensued and SWAT officers were requested to respond.
While waiting for the SWAT team, Butrick reportedly exited the home and fired multiple shots, from a rifle, at officers. The officers returned fire and Butrick was struck and killed. Butrick lived at the address with his wife and other relatives. No other individuals were hurt and no officers were injured as a result of the shooting.
The Valley Independent Investigative Team, a multi-agency team of investigators from seven South King County police departments (Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Port of Seattle, Tukwila), is conducting the inquiry into this incident. The Kent Police Department is excluded from this investigation because they were the involved agency.
The investigative team is in contact with the family of Butrick and will be keeping them informed of the progress of the investigation.
Additional details regarding this incident will be released by the Valley Independent Investigative Team as the investigation continues. Public notifications will be released weekly until the conclusion of the investigation.
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