HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-29 - Shooting - 7/06/21 Officer Involved Shooting at Eastwind Motel, Federal Way
VALLEY INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIVE TEAM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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INCIDENT: Federal Way Police Officer Involved Shooting at the Eastwind
Motel located at 33230 Pacific Hwy South, Federal Way occurred on July 6,
2021.
***For the latest update scroll down to the highlighted UPDATE****
The Valley Independent Investigative team (VIIT) is serving as the independent
investigative team for this incident. VIIT is a multi-agency team made up of
investigators from seven south King County Police Departments (Auburn, Des
Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Port of Seattle, and Tukwila). With Federal Way
PD as the involved agency, their staff have been excluded from this VIIT
investigation.
Here is a copy of the Federal Way Police Press Release dated July 6, 2021
for this incident:
Press Release, Federal Way Police Department, Officer-involved Shooting
Today \[July 6, 2021\] at 11:06 AM 911 callers reported a disturbance at a motel in
the 33200 block of Pacific Highway South in Federal Way. Callers reported that a
man was breaking windows and challenging people to fight. The man fled before
police officers arrived and the man was not located.
At 11:49 AM 911 callers reported the man had returned, was breaking windows and
yelling, and was armed with a knife. A police officer arrived and contacted the
manager. Preliminary information indicates the man charged at the officer and
manager, grabbed the manager, and was shot by the officer. Police officers
administered aid until medics arrived. Medics transported the man to Harborview
for treatment. No one else was injured and a knife was recovered at the scene.
This information is subject to change as more information becomes available.
The Valley Independent Investigation Team (VIIT) is responding to conduct the
investigation. Once VIIT establishes scene control, Federal Way P.D. will have no
direct involvement in the investigation. VIIT will eventually deliver their case to the
In
accordance with Initiative 940, press inquiries will be referred to VIIT.
In addition to V
will conduct an internal, administrative review after VIIT completes their criminal
investigation.
It is standard procedure to place involved officers on paid administrative
leave. That will occur in this case.
VIIT Investigation Update (July 7, 2021)
On July 6, 2021 the VIIT team was activated for this incident. The team was
briefed as to the circumstances of this incident and began an independent
investigation. This included interviewing witnesses that were present at the time
this occurred, including family members of the subject that was shot.
The VIIT team applied for a search warrant which was later approved, and they
processed the scene and collected evidence including surveillance camera
equipment that may have recorded the incident.
The subject that was injured is a 41-year-old male that resides in Tacoma. He is
currently at Harbor View Medical Center in stable condition after surgery.
The VIIT team is currently identifying a family liaison so that we can keep the
family up to date on the progress of the investigation.
The VIIT team has reached out to the 3 Non-Law Enforcement representatives
for Federal Way, to include them in the investigative process.
VIIT Investigation Update (July 8, 2021)
The VIIT detectives are continuing their investigation and reviewing statements,
evidence and video surveillance obtained from the scene.
In addition to the previously released information (above) we have determined
that the incident stemmed from a Domestic dispute at that location. We have
also determined that the 41-year-old subject is the son of the manager of the
Eastwind Motel.
We have also confirmed that the 41-year-old subject was armed with a knife
when the first officer arrived in the parking lot. The officer attempted to get the
manager (father) to move out of the way, but the subject started to advance
towards the officer and the father. The subject then violently grabbed his father
from behind with both arms and swung the knife around the front of the father
neck. During the attack and struggle, both the subject and father fell to the
ground with the subject still in possession of the knife and both engaged in a
struggle. The officer fired one round, striking the subject once in the side of his
head which ended the violent attack.
Additional officers arrived within seconds of the shot being fired and provided
first aid to the subject until fire/medics arrived.
The involved officer was placed on administrative leave by Federal Way Police
Chief. He is a 10 ½ year veteran officer, with 6 years of service in Federal Way
and 4 ½ years of service from out of state.
The subject is still in Harbor View Medical Center and VIIT has been in contact
with a family member to provide them with updates on this investigation.
VIIT Investigation Update (July 15, 2021)
The VIIT investigators are presenting a briefing to the Chief of the Federal Way
Police Department and the non-law enforcement representatives for Federal
Way. The purpose of the briefing is to give the attendees a summary of
incident, progress of the investigation, and timeline for completing the
investigation.
VIIT Investigation Update (July 22, 2021)
The injured subject was released from the hospital on or about July 16.
th
VIIT is nearing the completion of this investigation and is expecting to refer the
for review in the next
week or so. A press release will be issued once that occurs.
VIIT Investigation Update (July 29, 2021)
VIIT has completed the investigation and this case is being forwarded to the
King County Prosecuting Attorney for review. No additional press releases will
be issued from VIIT related to this incident.
Public notifications will be released weekly until the conclusion of the investigation. Media
Inquiries regarding the Independent Investigation may be forwarded to Commander Holmes
at mholmes@kentwa.gov
As per Chapter 139-12 WAC, please note that additional information regarding any officer
involved shooting cannot be released by an independent investigation team without first
notifying the non-law enforcement community representative assigned to the investigation
and the family liaison of the involved subject. VIIT will endeavor to incorporate questions
received from the media into subsequent press releases.
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Valley Independent Investigative Team
Auburn - Des Moines - Federal Way - Kent - Port of Seattle - Renton - Tukwila