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Man killed by sheriff’s deputies in Auburn identified

Multiple shots fired during May 24 eviction

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified a man killed as a result of a deputy-involved shooting in Auburn on May 24 that involved both the King County Sheriff’s Office and Auburn Police Department.

According to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, 48-year-old Michael Aaron Vaughn died in Auburn as a result of multiple gunshot wounds received at a residence in the city. The medical examiner’s office identified Vaughn’s death as a homicide.

The Valley Independent Investigative Team, a multi-agency team that investigates incidents involving police, has assumed responsibility for investigation into the death.

According to a previous release from the Des Moines Police Department — serving as the investigative lead of the Valley Independent Investigative Team’s investigation of the incident — the subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Des Moines Police Department issued an update on May 30 stating the team received both video from a SWAT vehicle and officer body-worn cameras and have started analyzing the footage.

According to a previous news release, the King County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Auburn Police Department responded at about 11 a.m. May 24 at 24 Auburn Way South in Auburn to serve a high risk civil eviction order. Kolby Crossley, public information officer for the Auburn Police Department, said the department served to assist in shutting down the road for the King County Sheriff’s Office and participated in no further capacity in the incident.

According to the previous release, deputies contacted Vaughn within minutes of arriving at the location, “which led to them utilizing deadly force.” First responders pronounced Vaughn deceased at the scene.

Six sheriff’s office deputies involved in the incident have all been placed on administrative leave.


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