Three fatal shootings in Auburn in a week

Three fatal shootings in Auburn within the span of six days have resulted in ongoing homicide investigations by the King County Sheriff’s Office and Auburn Police Department.

The shooting deaths include a 29-year-old Auburn man, a man in his 20s, and a woman in her 30s.

The King County Sheriff’s Office investigated the shooting death of a 29-year-old Auburn man on Nov. 24 at an apartment complex in the 31600 block of Military Road South in unincorporated King County. Deputies responded after receiving several 911 calls, according to Sgt. Eric White, public information officer for the King County Sheriff’s Office. First responders pronounced one victim dead at the scene.

According to White, the deceased man served as the singular victim in the incident.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man as 29-year-old Malkie Loeak of Auburn. Loeak’s death resulted from multiple gunshot wounds, with the medical examiner’s office identifying his death as a homicide, according to the office. Loeak sustained the fatal injuries at a residence.

According to White, law enforcement have no suspects in the case and have not arrested anyone. The King County Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes department’s fatal shooting investigation of the incident remains open and active.

“As this is an active and open investigation, and to maintain the integrity of the investigation, no further information is ready for release,” White said in an email.

The Auburn Police Department investigated the shooting death of a 25-year-old Auburn man on Nov. 28 in a vehicle.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased victim of the Nov. 28 shooting as Joel Renteria-Soto, 25, of Auburn. According to the medical examiner’s office, Renteria-Soto died as a result of a gunshot wound of the torso, sustaining the injury in his vehicle. The medical examiner’s office identified the death as a homicide.

According to a news release from the department, Auburn police responded to multiple reports of shots fired in the 2200 block of I Street Northeast at around 4 p.m. Nov. 28.

Police arrived to find a white Honda with multiple bullet holes and a man in his 20s in the driver’s seat of the vehicle with at least one gunshot wound. First responders attempted to perform life-saving measures, with the victim pronounced dead at the scene.

On Nov. 29, the Auburn Police Department investigated the shooting death of a 34-year-old Auburn woman.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased woman as Jessica Fawn Thompson, 34, of Auburn. According to the medical examiner’s office, Thompson died as a result of a gunshot wound of the torso and an extremity. The medical examiner’s office identified Thompson’s death as a homicide.

According to the police department, at around 1:30 a.m., the Auburn police responded to a report of a shooting near the 500 block of 15th Street Northeast.

Police arrived on the scene to find the passenger of a Ford truck, a woman in her 30s, had been shot. First responders pronounced the woman deceased at the scene after attempts at performing life-saving measures.

Through investigation, Auburn police learned that the suspect approached the passenger side of the vehicle at a gas station in the 800 block of Harvey Road in Auburn prior to a dispute, according to the department. After the firing of shots, the victim left the area in her vehicle, arriving at a stop on 15th Street.

Auburn police continue to review camera footage from the area, according to the department

The department’s investigations of the Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 homicides have no suspects yet, according to Kolby Crossley, public information officer for the Auburn Police Department.

Crossley said the department feels no public safety concern currently persists regarding the shootings.

“We do not believe these were random incidents. We do not feel there is an active threat to the community,” Crossley stated in his email.

The department declined to provide further information regarding the investigations.

Crossley said the Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 homicides served as two separate crimes with no connection.

White declined to confirm any connection between the Nov. 24 shooting and the two Auburn Police Department investigations.

According to Crossley’s email, the Auburn Police Department is not investigating any connection between the department’s two investigations and the Nov. 24 homicide.