SUMNER, Wash. — Neighbors in Sumner are reacting after a police standoff Wednesday night left a man dead.
A 46-year-old man was killed after setting off an explosive device during an attempted arrest at his family’s home.
Captain Kevin Gill with Puyallup PD says officers did their best to keep everything calm during the standoff.
“We had officers around the property. We were keeping a distance, trying to negotiate,” said Gill.
Police say the man was suspected of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend at her apartment in Puyallup earlier in the afternoon.
“We believe that the suspect forced his way into the apartment and then assaulted his ex-girlfriend before fleeing,” said Gill.
Police tracked the man to his family’s home in Sumner, then officers spent about 90 minutes negotiating with the man, but say he was not cooperating.
It ended in the backyard, with the man holding an explosive that suddenly went off, killing him in front of officers.
“We’re not really sure yet what the device was. We believe it was some sort of homemade explosive,” said Gill.
Nick Munden lives next door and says he was watching the whole time.
“I went out and I tried to get the officers to let me go talk to him ‘cause I know I could’ve talked him out of any of that s*** and they’re like ‘no, go in the house, go in the house,’” said Munden.
Munden’s family says they knew the man for many years and that he had mental health issues, but say he was kind-hearted and they’re convinced he wouldn’t have wanted to hurt anyone.
“For the most part, yeah, he’s a pretty friendly guy,” said Munden.
Neighbors say the man was also stressed over a family illness.
The man’s mother was also in the house during the incident and was not hurt.
Police say four officers and a K9 were taken to a hospital to get checked out after the explosive went off, and they are doing fine.
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