t

Kent Police fatally shoot man armed with circular saw on East Hill

Officers responded to domestic dispute call Tuesday afternoon

Kent Police fatally shot a 52-year-old man armed with a circular saw after responding to a verbal domestic dispute between the man and a female.

Officers responded at about 1:55 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 to the 12200 block of SE 259th Place on the East Hill and were advised by the 911 caller that the man was refusing to leave, acting erratically and was believed to be intoxicated, according to a Kent Police statement. The caller also relayed that the man was drinking gasoline and pouring in onto himself.

Initial information from a witness indicates that officers made contact with the man, who had reportedly armed himself with a circular saw, according to police. Officers attempted to back away from the man and use less-lethal measures to stop him, but this did not work.

Moments later, officers fired shots at the man.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Officers immediately performed lifesaving aid and were assisted by Puget Sound Fire personnel. Despite their efforts, the man did not survive.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla called in the Valley Independent Investigative Team (composed of police personnel from Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Port of Seattle and Tukwila) to investigate the shooting. Kent Police will not be part of the investigation.

The involved officers will be placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol. Kent Police did not release how many officers fired shots.

Editor’s note: This story was updated with the address of the incident.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent crime numbers drop dramatically in first quarter of 2025

All categories down compared to first three months of 2024; commercial burglaries drop 62%

t
Kent Police arrest man in stolen vehicle after short pursuit

Seattle man, 36, taken into custody April 14 at apartment complex near Kent-Meridian High School

t
Kent church reaches $1 million milestone for assistance program

Kent United Methodist Shared Bread Program helps people pay rent, utilities

Atena, part of a Kent Police K-9 unit, helped locate a man who reportedly fired three to five shots from his motorcycle at another vehicle April 12 in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
WSP plane, Kent K-9 unit locate man who fired shots at teen

Motorcyclist fled drive-by shooting on West Hill during April 12 incident

A house in Issaquah was damaged by fallen trees during November’s bomb cyclone. (Courtesy of King County Councilmember Sarah Perry’s office)
FEMA denies funds to WA for damage caused by 2024 ‘bomb cyclone’

Gov. Bob Ferguson says federal funds are needed to address $34 million in damage caused by the storm, and that the state will appeal.

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE., in Covington. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Person who made Kentwood High social media threat tracked down

‘Had no means to carry out the threat,’ according to King County Sheriff’s Office

A man places his ballot into the drop box outside Federal Way City Hall. Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing
SAVE Act could disenfranchise millions of voters

Congressman reports law could cost Washingtonians over $361 million just to register to vote.

t
Judge dismisses petitions to recall 2 Kent School Board members

Group wanted to recall Meghin Margel and Tim Clark

t
Kent Police Blotter: March 25 to April 6

Incidents include attempted bank robbery, cable wire theft, DUI arrest, parking lot robbery

Courtesy Photo, Kent Police
New 3-year contract gives Kent Police officers pay boost

Hikes of 16% and 17% in 2025 compared to 2022; beginning salary at $96,306 with annual increases

t
Kent man wanted in reported DV case now presumed to be on the run

Kent Police initially believed the man had died in fire; seek public’s help to find Avon Cobb