NAACP wants change in officer-involved shooting investigation

ARLINGTON, Wash. — The NAACP branch in Snohomish County is asking for a change in how officer-involved shootings are investigated.

Currently, officer-involved shootings in Snohomish County are investigated by the

Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART), a group of detectives from different police departments.

While the NAACP sees that as a start, leaders would like to have an independent civilian commission that could review the investigation and investigate complaints.

"I think it is difficult to investigate yourself, " said  Dr. Janice Greene, president of the NAACP Snohomish County branch. "There would just be another good set of eyes to look and see if there's any bias in their investigation."

Investigators from SMART are investigating the Feb. 14 shooting of a 17-year-old girl in Arlington.

According to investigators, the teen had a knife.

Witnesses told detectives she exited the car and advanced on officers who tried to use a stun gun, or taser.

When it didn't work, they fired at the teen.

She was hit twice and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.

A knife was recovered at the scene, according to investigators.

The teen's condition has improved, according to her sister's statements on her Go Fund Me Page. The victim's identity has not been released. KIRO 7 has been trying to talk with the teen or her family for more than a month and tried again on Wednesday.

The SMART team is still investigating. According to Officer Aaron Snell with the Everett Police Department, investigators are completing interviews and have sent evidence to the Washington State Patrol Crime lab.

When the investigation is complete, it will be sent to Snohomish County Prosecutor Mark Roe, who will make a charging decision.

Mark Roe told KIRO 7 he does not comment on ongoing investigations.

The sister of the Arlington teen is teaming up with the NAACP for an event Saturday discussing the shooting and civilian oversight of officer-involved shooting investigations.

"In general I think the police do a good job, but I also think there are outliers and those outliers need to be dealt with," said Greene.

Cox Media Group