SEATTLE — The King County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol are investigating a deadly shooting involving an armed man and Seattle police officers.
Around 4:45 p.m., police responded to the intersection of 4th Ave. S and S. Holgate St. in south Seattle for reports of a person armed with a knife or possibly an axe.
Three officers responded and tried to talk to the man. Chief Shon Barnes said that the man came toward officers, and police responded with “less lethal force.”
Barnes said that did not work.
According to the King County Sheriff’s Office, the man pulled out a gun at one point, which is when police fired at the man.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
It’s unclear how many officers fired their weapons.
Barnes said this is the first police shooting after the consent decree was lifted.
The Justice Department launched its investigation into SPD in 2011 under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.
Federal oversight formally began with a consent decree in 2012.
Over time, SPD addressed requirements around use of force, crisis response, stops and detentions, and accountability.
In 2023, most provisions were terminated, leaving only a small set of obligations.
The consent decree was fully lifted in September, and SPD has regained full control of the department.
“The Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Response Team will be assisting with scene documentation and follow-up forensic work. The KCSO and WSP team will be following the protocols of other independent investigation teams in Washington. This will include weekly public updates, assigning a family liaison who will connect with the family of the deceased and other steps mandated by legislation," the King County Sheriff’s Office said in an easrly press release.
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