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Man shot, killed by Kent Police responding to domestic dispute call
The Valley Independent Investigative Team (VIIT) is investigating after Kent Police officers shot and killed a man while responding to a domestic dispute call between roommates.
KENT, Wash. - The Valley Independent Investigative Team (VIIT) is investigating after Kent Police officers shot and killed a man while responding to a domestic dispute call between roommates.
Officers responded just before 2 p.m. on April 18 to a home on SE 259th Place in Kent's East Hill neighborhood.
The person who called 911 said that her roommate was refusing to leave a home, was acting erratically and was believed to be intoxicated. The caller also said that the man was drinking gasoline and pouring it onto himself.
When officers arrived, the man armed himself with a circular saw. Moments later, officers shot at the man. VIIT said the man advanced on officers with the saw.
Officers tried to save the 52-year-old man's life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
It's unclear how many officers fired shots at the man. VIIT said officers initially tried to use less-lethal force.
Neighbors told FOX 13 that they were shocked at what had unfolded.
"It’s crazy, I never see anything happening like this in the neighborhood," said neighbor Manny Dhami. "Cops never even come here, so yeah, it’s pretty out of the ordinary."
Another neighbor, Reina Guetierrez, said she went outside and saw officers trying to resuscitate the man who was shot.
"I was actually able to see these two police officers down on the ground," she said. "A fire truck came and immediately they ran with the first aid kits and ran to the guy, and I was like oh my gosh, somebody is hurt."
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, as is procedure. VIIT is continuing the investigation of the case. All Kent PD officers on VIIT will be excluded from the investigation. VIIT is made up of officers and other representatives from Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Port of Seattle, Renton and Tukwila.