Federal Way Police officers shot and killed a 54-year-old Soap Lake man Sept. 4 at the Federal Way Transit Center, 31621 23rd Ave. S., after he reportedly charged them with a knife, according to law enforcement agencies.
Just before 9 p.m. Sept. 4, Federal Way police responded to a report of a man acting disorderly and refusing to get off a bus, according to a press release through Kent PD. Officers arrived to find the man armed with a knife, trying to start the bus and refusing to comply, according to Federal Way PD.
A negotiator arrived on scene and spent nearly two hours trying to talk to the man and de-escalate the situation, during which time the man made more attempts to take control of the bus. The bus had been disabled, however.
The man eventually left the bus, but police report that he then charged at the officers with the knife, “forcing officers to respond with their service weapons” and firing at him, according to Federal Way Police Cmdr. Kurt Schwan. Despite lifesaving efforts by police and fire personnel on scene, the man died on scene.
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, and the shooting is under investigation by the Valley Independent Investigation Team, which is made up of regional law enforcement agencies. No officers were injured. Kent PD will be the lead investigating agency for the shooting. More information will be reported when available.
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