Two Kent men, arrested for investigation of possession of a stolen vehicle after a deputy fatally shot the driver of the car in the Kent Station parking garage, were released from jail and have not been charged with any crime.
A 22-year-old passenger and an 18-year-old man who also ran, were each arrested July 26 shortly after King County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Leland Adams fatally shot Jesus Hernandez-Murillo, 18, of Auburn. The deputy approached a reported stolen car occupied by two people at about 8:42 a.m. when Hernandez-Murillo, the driver, allegedly reached for a rifle. Adams shot Hernandez-Murillo once in the chest.
“Any charging recommendations will be forwarded to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office when the entire officer involved shooting case is sent for review,” said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Ryan Abbott in an email Thursday. “It’s fair to say that the charges that may be considered are only related to the theft and possession of the stolen car – not the shooting incident itself.”
It will take at least 12 weeks for King County Major Crimes to complete their investigation, Abbott said. Prosecutors will review the case to determine what, if any charges the two Kent men might face.
During a routine check of vehicles in the garage – used primarily on weekdays by Sound Transit Sounder train commuters – Adams saw an occupied four-door Honda Civic and ran a license plate check. The report showed the car to be stolen, Abbott said. Adams, who works for Sound Transit Police, which contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office, is a 28-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office. He remains on paid administrative leave during the investigation, which is standard procedure for an officer-involved shooting.
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