Officers cleared in April shooting of a Seattle man

Herald staff

SEATTLE – An inquest jury said Monday that a man fatally shot by police as he walked near the Seattle Center posed an "imminent threat" to himself or others at the time he was killed.

David John Walker was killed April 12 as he walked down a street near the Seattle Center, waving a knife. Officers had responded to a report that a man had shoplifted a drink carton from a grocery store, then fired two shots at a security guard. By the time police arrived, testimony indicated, Walker had stowed the gun in a backpack.

The jury agreed that Officer Tommie Doran fired the fatal shot.

The six-member jury determined unanimously that Walker had flashed a knife at officers, although jurors did not find evidence he had displayed a gun after police arrived.

OK expected on WTO reimbursment: The Senate Appropriations Committee todaywas expected to approve $5 million to reimburse Seattle for some of the costs of the World Trade Organization protests. The money is included in a $36.7 billion bill funding the Commerce, Justice and State departments, said a spokesperson from the office of Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. Seattle officials have been seeking the money for months. The Senate committee in May attached $3.8 million for Seattle to an agriculture spending bill, but the item was later struck from the bill. The city of Seattle spent about $9 million on the World Trade Organization protests, with regional law-enforcement agencies out an additional $3 million.

WENATCHEE

Man files suit in sex-ring case: A man whose 1994 conviction in the Wenatchee child sex-abuse cases was overturned has filed damage claims totaling more than $10 million with the city, Chelan County and the state Department of Social and Health Services. Henry Cunningham alleges his civil rights were repeatedly violated during his arrest and prosecution. The city, county and state have 60 days to respond to Cunningham’s claims. If the claims are denied, Cunningham could then decide to sue.

oregon

Man descends from protest perch: A man who spent 11 days on the ledge of a downtown building in a protest over logging descended Monday into the waiting arms of dozens of cheering supporters. Wearing a purple flower in his hair, the man who calls himself "Tre Arrow" rappelled barefooted from his 9-inch-wide, 30-foot-high perch on the U.S. Forest Service building in Portland, Ore. Arrow was taken into custody and is expected to face charges of misdemeanor trespassing and contempt of court. He climbed to the ledge July 7 to focus attention on plans to log 1,030 acres of forest in the shadow of Mount Hood. Several people camping outside the building had been hoisting food and water up to him.

ALASKA

Bear kills man: A bear killed and partially ate a man at a campground near a bear viewing area. The body of George Tullos, 41, of Ketchikan was found Saturday at the Run Amuck campground near Hyder, a community along the Canadian border about 75 miles from Ketchikan. The attack apparently happened late Friday. Tullos was alone at the campground, sleeping outdoors with only a tarp for shelter, a quarter-mile from a bear-viewing platform operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Bruce Bartley, a spokesman for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said he could recall only three cases of bears attacking people and eating them in the past 20 years.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.