(WSB photo, March 2025)
A local law firm has announced that it’s just filed a $30 million claim against the city on behalf of the family of the man shot and killed by police outside the Southwest Precinct a year and a half ago. Attorneys Mark Lindquist and Angus Lee allege in their news release that “Seattle police officers were negligent, used excessive force, and violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, among other state and federal causes of action arising from the preventable death.” The shooting happened on March 19, 2025, after 36-year-old Andrew Seay was encountered in the parking lot on the west side of the precinct. His wife had called 911 earlier to say he was in the area of The Home Depot next door and in crisis. According to the law firm’s summary, officers tried to get him to leave the lot, and he “would follow directions, and then turn and meander. … While meandering, Mr. Seay pulled out a folding pocketknife. He moved toward officers, then stepped back and away. Officers told him to drop the knife. Mr. Seay appeared confused, turned and moved around a patrol car. He continued to meander for more than a minute. A supervisor directed an officer to deploy (a “less lethal” device).” The law firm says that happened just seven seconds later, and while Mr. Seay moved away from that device, he moved toward the officer who subsequently fired his gun four times – the only officer to shoot – an officer who they say was 35 feet away, outside the “21-foot reaction-distance benchmark.” Attorney Lindquist is quoted as saying, “Mr. Seay’s death could have been prevented if officers had used a Taser, or used the less lethal launcher without delay, or followed Seattle’s own polices on de-escalation.” The news release also notes, “The King County Prosecutor declined to file charges, but the standards in a criminal case are far different than a civil action. ” What’s just been filed (see the document here) is not a lawsuit, but a potential step toward one – the city has two months to consider it, and if they deny the claim, a lawsuit could be filed.
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