Kent Police hold man shot in traffic incident

Man tried to drive through blockade

A 24-year-old Bonney Lake man who was shot while trying to elude police Aug. 8 remained in custody Tuesday at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

The man, whose identity had not been released, reportedly tried to drive his vehicle past Kent Police officers, when an officer shot and injured him.

The man was treated last week at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for a single gunshot wound to the buttocks, said Penny Bartley, spokeswoman for the Renton Police.

Renton Police are investigating the shooting under an agreement among South King County police agencies involved in shootings.

Two Kent Police officers fired their guns during the incident at about 3 p.m. Aug. 8 near South 252nd Street and Canyon Drive, also known as Smith Street partway up the East Hill.

Police arrested the man for investigation of third-degree assault and eluding an officer.

Kent Police were trying to stop the man for an unspecified traffic offense when the shooting occurred. Officers had used patrol vehicles to pin the Bonney Lake man’s vehicle; the man then allegedly tried to drive through the blockade before two officers fired their guns.

Kent Police had tried to stop the same man for a traffic offense on Aug. 1, but the man sped away. Officers did not pursue the chase because of potential danger to others on the road. They later discovered the man had a warrant out of Kent for driving with a suspended license.

Renton Police planned to interview Kent Police officers, the Bonney Lake man and witnesses during their investigation this week, Bartley said.

The King County Prosecutor’s Office is expected to file charges this week against the Bonney Lake man.

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