Kent man reportedly shoots himself when police try to arrest him

Published 10:32 am Thursday, August 6, 2026

A 20-year-old Kent man, a suspect in a Aug. 4 Tacoma drive-by shooting and an April armed robbery and shooting in Kent, reportedly shot himself Aug. 5 inside a West Hill residence.

Kent detectives were trying to locate the man Aug. 5 for an April 24 shooting and armed robbery, according to a Aug. 5 Kent Police news release.

Investigators also believe the man was involved in a drive-by shooting Aug. 4 at the Walmart on South Union Avenue in Tacoma. Tacoma Police officers were attempted to arrest a shoplifting suspect when individuals inside a vehicle reportedly fired multiple rounds at the officers.

Tacoma detectives were investigating that shooting and coordinated with Kent detectives after they determined both agencies were looking for the same man.

Kent detectives located the man at a residence in the 13900 block of South 259th Place on the West Hill, just west of Interstate 5 and east of Pacific Highway South, according to police. Patrol officers established a perimeter while negotiators worked to get the man to peacefully surrender.

Negotiators established phone contact with the man and successfully convinced him, along with two family members, to exit the residence, according to police. However, as they came outside, the man suddenly turned around, ran back into the home, and locked the door behind him.

Negotiators made repeated attempts to reestablish communication, but the man did not respond. The family members were safely moved away from the residence. A short time later, officers heard what was believed to be a single gunshot from inside the home.

Because the man was believed to be involved in two separate shootings and an armed robbery, the Valley SWAT Team (VSWAT) was requested to assist. VSWAT assumed responsibility for the tactical operation and continued efforts to communicate with the man without success.

After additional attempts to contact the man failed, and after an arrest warrant had been obtained, VSWAT breached the front door and deployed a drone inside the residence, according to police. A drone located the man in a bedroom, unconscious and unresponsive. SWAT personnel then entered the home, where they found the man with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Officers immediately began providing medical aid, but King County Medic One personnel pronounced the man deceased at the scene.

Kent detectives continue to investigate the incident. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and will determine the official cause and manner of death.

“Our officers, detectives, negotiators, and the Valley SWAT Team approached this incident with one goal—to safely take a dangerous suspect into custody peacefully,” said Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla in a prepared statement. “While today’s (Aug. 5) incident did not end as anyone had hoped, I am grateful that no other people were physically harmed.

“Our detectives will continue working to ensure a complete investigation is conducted. We owe that to the victims of the shootings and the family of the deceased suspect. I also want to thank the Tacoma Police Department. Their hard work and collaboration was instrumental in locating this suspect.”