SEATTLE, Wash. — The widow of a man who was shot dead by Seattle Police has filed a $30 million claim – a prelude to a lawsuit - against the city.
Attorney Mark Lindquist, who represents the woman, says she called 911 for help, because her husband, Andrew Seay, was suffering a mental health crisis. Seay then ended up wandering into the parking lot of the southwest police precinct.
Police body camera video from that day, March 19, 2025, shows officers talking to Seay.
“Just walk up that way. There’s a gate over there,” an officer told Seay.
Police continue to try and direct him out of the parking lot.
“Hey, right there. Go out that way! Where you going?” an officer asked.
Attorney Mark Lindquist said officers appear to acknowledge Seay’s mental health issue.
“He might be a little bit off, there. He might be a little bit off,” one of the officers said.
It’s unclear why Seay was in the parking lot, or why he pulled out a knife, as the video shows.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” an officer shouts, “Watch the knife! Put the knife away!”
“Initially, officers did try to deescalate. There were several officers on scene. At least one of them had a taser,” Lindquist said.
Lindquist added that the taser was not used, and said officers also had a 40 millimeter (40 MM) that shoots a nonlethal projectile, designed to stun, not kill, but Lindquist claims it was fired too late.
“You can see on video that when the 40mm round is launched, it’s almost simultaneously with the other officer using his handgun,” Lindquist said.
Lindquist said the officer fired the fatal shots from 35 feet away from Seay.
The tort claim accuses Seattle police of negligence, using excessive force, and violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. Lindquist says it seeks $30 million and changes to ensure the SPD uses non-lethal tools correctly.
Shon Barnes was police chief at the time of the shooting.
“These events happen quickly,” Barnes said. “They escalate quickly and officers have to make quick decisions.”
KIRO 7 reached out to Seattle Police, Wednesday, who referred questions to the Office of Police Accountability.
Because this is a tort claim, KIRO 7 also reached out to the Office of City Finance. We are waiting to hear back from both. If the city does not respond to the claim in 60 days, a lawsuit can be filed.