Kent Police are asking for the public’s help to find a 51-year-old Kent man and domestic violence suspect who is now presumed to have escaped a fire at an Auburn commercial building.

Kent Police initially believed Avon A. Cobb died in the fire Tuesday, April 8 after he fled to that building when officers responded to a reported domestic violence incident earlier in the day at a Kent apartment.

“Cobb is now presumed to be on the run,” according to a Thursday, April 10 Kent Police news release.

Police have probable cause to arrest Cobb for investigation of domestic violence assault involving a firearm and eluding for his actions against a family member, according to police.

Cobb left the apartment in the in the 5500 block of South 237th St., in his vehicle and eluded police. He fled to a building in Auburn, 1520 W. Pike St., which Valley SWAT eventually surrounded and attempted to get him to come out.

“It was believed he was still armed with a gun,” according to the news release. “Multiple attempts were made to negotiate Cobb out of the building, but he did not exit. During the standoff, the building caught fire. Once the fire was extinguished hours later, an extensive search was made of the grounds, but Cobb was not located.”

Earlier in the day, SWAT officers began clearing the inside of the building, attempting to locate the suspect, when a fire broke out inside the building, according to police. The fire developed quickly, forcing SWAT officers to retreat from the building.

At some point, Cobb left the building without police noticing. Detectives are actively working to locate and arrest him on his charges.

“At the time of the incident, it was believed that he was inside the establishment,” according to an April 10 email from Kent Police Assistant Chief Jarod Kasner. “However, upon entry, he was not found, and it remains unclear how he was able to exit.”

Cobb is an owner of the business at 1520 W. Pike St., Kasner said. Kasner described it as “an entertainment establishment.”

Google maps lists the business as Zanadu Studios, which its Facebook page describes as a live music venue.

Anyone with information about Cobb’s whereabouts, can call the Kent Police tip line at 253-856-5808, or email a tip to KPDTipLine@kentwa.gov. If a tip is time sensitive, please call 911.

Editor’s note: This story was updated to include information about the business at 1520 W. Pike St., and Cobb’s connection to it.