Seattle Police Officers’ Guild Statement on Officer-Involved Shooting

Seattle, WA – On April 29th, 2020, just before 2:15 PM, south precinct officers received initial reports about a man and woman arguing at the Rainier Playfield near 37th Avenue South and South Oregon Street. The woman involved flagged down a passerby and asked them to call 911 on her behalf. She reported the man had fired a gun at her and then fled with her child. With this initial information, officers believed they were looking for an armed kidnapper with an infant hostage.

Due to the severity of the crime and the innocent life at risk, dozens of officers from a variety of units – including K9, SWAT and the King County Guardian One helicopter – scoured the neighborhood in search of the armed suspect.

Officers located the suspect, confronted him, and ultimately shot him to save the life of the child.

Officers began life-saving measures and called for medics, who transported him to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Thankfully, the child was rescued and unharmed in the incident.

The officers on scene had a split-second to react to a deadly situation that threatened the life of an innocent child.

We are proud of the heroism displayed by our officers who risked their lives to capture an armed felony domestic violence assault suspect. Our officers did exactly what is asked of them: they acted to stop a person who they believed posed an immediate, deadly threat to our community – specifically, one of its most vulnerable members.

The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild understands and appreciates the public’s interest whenever it is necessary for officers to use deadly force. This incident, as with all deadly force encounters, will be thoroughly investigated. We respectfully request our community reserve judgement until the investigation is complete.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2020
Contact: Mike Solan
Email:  Mike@seattlepoliceguild.org