A 22-year-old Kent man died from gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen after he allegedly advanced with a knife at Washington State Patrol troopers on Saturday along southbound Interstate 5 in Lacey.
The cause of death for Michael Anthony Rude was released on Monday by Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock.
Rude, a Washington National Guard reservist, called 911 at about 6:13 a.m. Saturday while driving a black Dodge Charger along State Route 167 in King County. He told a dispatcher that he was distraught, suicidal and had a knife, according to a State Patrol media release. He also indicated that he wanted to attack any police officer who pulled him over, that he was driving unsafely and at a high-rate of speed.
Troopers stopped Rude at about 6:48 a.m. at milepost 110 at Carpenter Road. He exited the vehicle and advanced at troopers with a knife, according to the State Patrol. A trooper fired his gun and struck Rude. The troopers immediately rendered first aid until medical personnel arrived. Rude died at the scene.
The male trooper involved in the shooting is an 18-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol and has been placed on paid administrative leave as per normal procedure.
The multi-agency Thurston County Critical Incident Investigation Team will handle the investigation with Olympia Police Department taking the lead.
Rude worked as a mail handler for the U.S. Postal Service, according to his Facebook page. He went to Highline High School in Burien.
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