Kent police shoot, kill man armed with circular saw

KENT, Wash. — An investigation is underway after Kent police shot and killed a man Tuesday afternoon while responding to a domestic violence call in the East Hill neighborhood.

According to the Kent Police Department, officers were called to an argument between a man and a woman in the 12200 block of Southeast 259th Place just before 2 p.m. A woman called 911 saying her roommate was refusing to leave, was acting erratically, and was believed to be drunk.

She also said that the man was drinking gasoline and pouring it onto himself.

When officers arrived, he pulled out a circular saw, police said. Officers tried to calm the man down and use less-lethal measures. They also distanced themselves from the man, but he advanced on the officers with the saw, according to the Valley Independent Investigative Team.

Moments later, officers shot the man.

Officers performed life-saving aid with the help of Puget Sound Fire medics, but the 52-year-old Kent man died at the scene.

The Valley Independent Investigative Team is investigating the shooting. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.

©2023 Cox Media Group