A man armed with a pistol was shot and killed by police during a confrontation in broad daylight on a Seattle street. This incident was captured in recently released body camera footage.
The shooting unfolded in Seattle around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, following several 911 calls about a man brandishing a gun while walking down the street. Police reported this in a news statement.
One caller urgently informed the dispatcher, “Hey, you better send someone quick. There’s a man walking up the hill in Othello. Between Rainier Avenue—he’s moving from Rainier to Othello.”
The footage reveals two Seattle police officers repeatedly instructing the man to drop his weapon.
“He’s got a gun. He’s pointing it at everyone who drives by,” an officer can be heard saying.
In the video, the unidentified man approaches the officers, continuing to wave the gun despite their numerous requests to drop it.
“Drop it, drop it,” one officer repeatedly yelled. “Throw away your gun!”
After ignoring the commands, both officers opened fire, discharging more than 20 rounds.
Even after being shot, the man got up, continued waving his gun, and was shot again, falling to the ground.
“SPD provided medical assistance, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene,” stated the police department.
The incident involving the officers is currently being reviewed by an external agency, the Kings County Sheriff’s Office, in accordance with Seattle Police guidelines.
Seattle Police Chief Shon Burns commented, “Compliance is always best; de-escalation is always best. When someone has a firearm and they’re approaching innocent people, you might not have the time.”
It remains unclear whether the two officers will continue their duties while the investigation is ongoing.
