PORT ORCHARD, Wash. — Two Port Orchard police officers shot a suspect several times during a struggle that left the man dead and the officers injured.
The confrontation happened at 8:15 p.m. Thursday behind Port Orchard’s South Park Mall.
According to the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, three Port Orchard officers went to the location to find and arrest 36-year-old Thomas D. Rogers on felony arrest warrants for five counts of child molestation in Oklahoma, failure to appear in Port Orchard court on an assault charge and a probation violation on an assault in Kitsap County.
Sources told KIRO 7 the Rogers worked at a nearby tavern. They said he ordered a pizza at a restaurant three doors away, and was walking into the back of the strip mall to smoke, when he was confronted by police.
Sources said Rogers tried to run away and a struggle with officers began.
The Sheriff’s Office said the officers used a Taser, but it had no effect on Rogers, who was armed with a knife.
Neighbors said they heard several shots and saw the man on the ground. Investigators said Rogers died at the scene.
Police said the investigation was still in its early stages, but two of the three Port Orchard officers are believed to have fired their weapons.
Two officers were hurt during the altercation. One had cuts and the other injured an ankle.
Rogers has convictions for sexual abuse of a child, fourth-degree assault, malicious mischief and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call Detective Gerry Swayze at 360-337-4479.
KIRO
