Kent Police arrest man for reportedly killing smoke shop clerk
Published 4:03 pm Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Kent Police arrested a 28-year-old Kent man for investigation of using his vehicle to hit and kill a E-Z Smoke and More shop store clerk who tried to stop the man from shoplifting an item.
The Valley SWAT Team and Kent detectives took the man into custody without incident Tuesday afternoon, Sept 23 at an East Hill location, according to a Sept. 24 Kent Police news release.
Officers responded at about 7:52 p.m. Sept. 16 to a report of an assault at the E-Z Smoke and More shop, 26022 Pacific Highway S., on the West Hill, according to police.
Initial 911 callers said that a man had been assaulted in the parking lot and the suspect had fled the location in a vehicle, according to police. Upon arrival officers learned from witnesses that the victim, a 58-year-old Covington man, was the store clerk.
Witnesses said that the suspect attempted to shoplift from the store and was confronted by the clerk, according to police. The suspect refused to return the item, and there was a brief altercation in the parking lot during which the suspect allegedly intentionally struck the clerk with his vehicle. Police did not release the type of item the man reportedly tried to shoplift.
The clerk sustained significant injury to his head and lost consciousness, according to police. King County medics responded, provided medical aid, and transported the man to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle in critical condition. He died Sept. 22 from the injury.
Si Boe Lee died of a blunt force head injury, according to the Sept. 23 King County Medical Examiner’s Office report, which ruled the death a homicide.
Kent homicide detectives took over the investigation the night of the incident. Detectives identified the Kent man through investigation, although police did not release what details led them to the man. Charges are expected to be filed in the coming days, according to police.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed any part of the incident to contact the tip line at 253-856-5808 or email KPDTipLine@kentwa.gov.
