OAN’s Avril Elfie
9:47am – Saturday, April 20, 2024
Seattle police shot and killed a 67-year-old man they believed was meeting his children, ages 7 and 11, at a hotel.
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Seattle Police Department (SPD) Chief Adrian Diaz said the man arrived at the DoubleTree Suites Hotel around 3:43 p.m. under the impression he was meeting with two underage girls.
However, the suspect was unaware that several SPD officers from the Washington State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force were on hand to arrest him during the undercover operation.
Cases involving child sexual exploitation (CSE) are investigated by an SPD task force. These cases may involve the creation, distribution, and ownership of resources and service provider networks used to commit child sex crimes.
Recently released footage shows the man firing his gun as soon as the officer opened the door. Police then opened fire on the man and a scuffle broke out, killing him. Police said the man was later pronounced dead at the scene.
A bullet from the gunman caused a minor wound to the leg of a Seattle police officer, according to witnesses at the scene.
Diaz continued to point out that internet crimes against children will increase by 67% from 2022 to 2023.
“For our nation’s police officers, these situations are dangerous, unpredictable, and can quickly escalate,” Diaz said. “I was running; I saw someone firing a gun,” said Eric Wehrmeister, who was staying at a hotel a few doors down. “The shooting continued rapidly. I’m glad they shot away from my room. You know it could have been a lot worse.”
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