King County prosecutors have filed charges against one of the three men captured on video attempting to kick in the entrance of an Auburn homeowner who fired shots back.
Prosecutors charged 31-year-old Davante Naicell Leach, of Tacoma, with felony counts of attempted burglary in the first degree and unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree.
According to Casey McNerthney, director of communications for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the court found probable cause for assault in the first degree, attempted burglary in the first degree, and unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree at Leach’s first appearance hearing on Nov. 2. Additionally, the court set Leach’s bail at $1 million.
Prosecutors formally filed charges against Leach on Nov. 6.
According to court documents, the Oct. 19 attempted burglary involving Leach “matches a pattern of numerous recent armed home invasions targeting Asian households.”
In recent months, King County has seen a “significant” increase in violent home invasion style robberies with suspects appearing to target persons of Asian descent, according to documents.
At around 2 a.m. Oct. 19, the Auburn Police Department was dispatched to the 31000 block of 117th Place Southeast after receiving a report of a non-injury shooting, according to the department.
Security footage of the incident showed three masked men carrying guns and announcing themselves as “Seattle police” prior to attempting to kick down the door.
The homeowner, who was armed, fired multiple shots at the intruders through the door, shattering the glass of their storm door, footage shows. According to the affidavit, the suspects retreated from his porch and began firing at the residents of the home from outside prior to fleeing in an unknown direction.
According to the affidavit, the homeowner who fired at the intruders advised officers that a loud banging woke up both him and his wife. Fearing for his life and the life of his wife, the homeowner armed himself with a handgun and fired shots at the suspects.
The Auburn Police Department arrested Leach on Nov. 1 following an investigation.
The court scheduled Leach’s arraignment for Nov. 20 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
According to McNerthney, Leach holds a pending felony case in Pierce County.
Two outstanding suspects remain in the case and the investigation continues.
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