UPDATE: Man shot, killed by Seattle Police serving warrant in White Center

6:03 PM: Seattle Police SWAT was serving an arrest warrant in White Center near 20th and 100th when shots were fired. We don’t know yet who fired but the person who was shot was described as a suspect. We are at the scene and will update.

6:06 PM: If you’re in the area, police have set off a ‘flashbang’ before entering the house to see if anyone else is inside. The shooting happened outside.

6:17 PM: The person who was shot has been taken to the hospital. (Correction: Police later said he was declared dead at the scene.) Officers are now searching the residence. The area’s been taped off, including SW 100th.

6:42 PM: SPD Chief Adrian Diaz is here. Officers are still trying to ensure the house is clear.

6:55 PM: They’ve set off another flashbang, to try to rouse anyone inside. Now a TV helicopter’s in the area.

7:24 PM: We and other media are awaiting a briefing from an SPD public-information officer.

7:55 PM: SPD says the person shot by officers has died. They confirm they had gone to the house to arrest a suspect in a Seattle murder case from earlier this year. Assistant Chief Deanna Nollette said the man who was shot and killed had come out of the house with a gun and it appears he shot first; they are not yet confirming that the man they shot is the one they were there to arrest. We recorded the briefing on video and will upload it shortly. (Added: Here’s the video.)

The distinction that the warrant was for a Seattle case is important because it rules out the recent unsolved White Center/North Highline murders – those were outside the city limits.

MIDNIGHT: SPD Blotter says the man who was shot was 22 years old and was the suspect officers had gone there to arrest.

31 Replies to "UPDATE: Man shot, killed by Seattle Police serving warrant in White Center"

  • N7OEP August 5, 2021 (6:11 pm)

    From what I heard via SPD radio traffic, SPD was there to arrest a homicide suspect and gunfire was exchanged. The suspect was hit. An officer may have also been “grazed” but I’m sure you’ll get first hand info from the scene once PIO arrives and the situation has stabilized. 

    • WSB August 5, 2021 (6:31 pm)

      We heard that too – we were headed to the area even before the gunfire – but I want to be clear that there is no confirmation that the person who was shot is the person they were there to arrest. SPD is supposedly sending a public information officer so we hope to get some basics from them.

      • M August 5, 2021 (11:27 pm)

        Thank you for pointing that out!

  • Sunnywood August 5, 2021 (6:21 pm)

    I was out on a run near Grace Church when I heard 3 successive shots. I wondered when news of it would pop it!

  • StopCuttingDownTrees August 5, 2021 (7:01 pm)

    I heard the 3 quick shots and then the loud flash bang a few minutes later from here in east Arbor Heights. I thought it was just fireworks until I drove up 98th to McClendon’s and saw all the SPD SUVs. Glad the SWAT officers survived the attack.

  • Terremoto August 5, 2021 (7:10 pm)

    Thank you, WSB.  I had thought it was a King County helicopter still searching for suspect in the neighborhood – very unsettling.  Really appreciate your update!

  • Johnston August 5, 2021 (7:14 pm)

    Helicopter now orbiting the area.

  • Doug August 5, 2021 (7:35 pm)

    One suspect is DOA. There was no transport to the hospital. Fire/EMS units cleared quickly after a short resuscitation effort. 

    • WSB August 6, 2021 (12:01 am)

      Police clarified that later and I have corrected that line above.

  • jack August 5, 2021 (7:44 pm)

    WSB always right on top of  things.  No other neighborhood blog in the city even comes close. 

  • M.B. August 5, 2021 (7:57 pm)

    Is this at all related to the 911 call for an ALS Shooting at Steve Cox Memorial Park at 17:47?

    • WSB August 6, 2021 (12:00 am)

      They had the location wrong when fire was first sent. The SWAT officers had originally been staging at Steve Cox Park before heading to the house, so apparently that’s where the dispatcher thought they were sending medics.

  • Insertname August 5, 2021 (8:34 pm)

    It sounds like this person decided to hold court in the streets. Thankfully no law enforcement officers were hurt. 

  • wseaturtle August 5, 2021 (9:56 pm)

    I hope the officers involved are doing ok.

  • Jeffrey August 6, 2021 (6:51 am)

    When do we get body camera footage from start to finish to keep SPD in check? Since they took a life I want to make sure we see who fire first, etc.

    • WSB August 6, 2021 (7:05 am)

      The SPD Blotter post linked above says within 72 hours as per policy.

    • Joel August 6, 2021 (7:54 am)

      took a life of a murderer….now if no knock warrants were allowed the murdered would probably have been caught off guard and taken without incident…but when the police have to introduce themselves it gives some time for the murdered to grab their gun and start the gun fight…at least the good guys won…this time at least.

      • Lauren August 6, 2021 (6:46 pm)

        “Took the life of a murderer”…. You must mean “took the life of a person being arrested as a murder suspect.” There is a BIG difference in these two phrases. (Although I don’t actually want the police killing either one.) IF the suspect shot first, the footage will show that. That should be a good thing, right SPD supporters?

    • Pessoa August 6, 2021 (10:50 am)

      Agreed. Though we know the usual coterie of police worshipers have already arrived at a verdict. 

      • Rhonda August 6, 2021 (11:47 am)

        Well, we’ve officially already heard from the usual coterie of violent criminal worshipers.

        • Jort August 9, 2021 (10:58 am)

          Really? Violent criminal worshipers? Is this like some kind of religious Catholic sect that engages in crime? Or is this just another example of unnecessary hyperbole? I’m not so sure that people who have issues with policing in America are “worshipping” “violent criminals.” Let’s dial the drama back a little, hmm?

    • Don’tWorry August 6, 2021 (11:43 am)

      And when they do you will see the murderer came out guns a blazing. He fired first and easily could have killed one of the officers. He had a rifle and body armor upstairs too. Neighbors could have been killed as well.

  • Sillygoose August 6, 2021 (8:25 am)

    Jeffrey give it a rest!!  As for those that continually whine that officers didn’t respond to a barking dog, or loud music, etc. these are the kind of calls that trump your non-emergency calls.

    • You are confused August 6, 2021 (12:54 pm)

      SWAT respond to noise complaints?  I don’t think so!

      Silly goose.

      • WSB August 6, 2021 (1:34 pm)

        I can say as someone who was at the scene, once the gunfire happened, non-SWAT officers converged on the area, blocking off the roads, keeping people away until it was verified whether anyone else was in the house, etc. So yes, an incident like this also ripples on down the line of what else can be responded to.- TR

    • Dunno August 6, 2021 (8:40 pm)

      My first thought was Gonzo’s killer?  Of course a social worker could have talked to him first.   I’m feeling like it’s the End of the world as we’ve known it.  Who the heck want’s to be a police officer?

      • WSB August 6, 2021 (8:49 pm)

        As noted, this was a Seattle case. Gonzoe was killed outside the city limits.

  • john August 6, 2021 (8:54 am)

    My thoughts are with the officer involved.  What a terrible position to be put in – what a difficult and dangerous job.

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