LAKE STEVENS — A man who was fatally shot by police Feb. 9 reportedly shouted “Just kill me!” and repeatedly ignored commands to drop a knife, according to court papers filed as part of the investigation into the death.
Juan J. Salinas, 33, was told to put down the knife he was carrying in his right hand “too many times to count” before officers resorted to force, a Lake Stevens police sergeant told investigators.
Attempts to use an electronic stun gun to stop Salinas from advancing on officers reportedly had no effect, a search warrant affidavit said.
One of the officers reportedly fired his handgun a single time when Salinas was about 10 feet away. Even so Salinas “continued to crawl toward the officers with the knife in hand while yelling ‘Just kill me!,’” the affidavit said.
The man finally was disarmed after receiving another electric shock from an officer’s stun gun, according to the affidavit.
Officers immediately began first aid, including CPR, court papers say.
The search warrant was sought by members of the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team, or SMART. The team’s detectives are drawn from throughout the county to investigate when police use fatal force.
The shooting in Lake Stevens occurred after officers responded to a 911 call from a man who said he wanted to kill police. The number was traced to Salinas. While officers headed toward his home, others called 911 to report a man wandering in the neighborhood, bleeding from one arm, and carrying an American flag.
The shooting occurred after the man refused to put down the weapon and began walking toward officers, SMART investigators were told.
Salinas bought his home in Lake Stevens in September, public records show. He had a previous address in the area of Martha Lake near Lynnwood.
Social media posts said Salinas was a veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the U.S. Army Rangers.
The Patriot Guard Riders, a group of motorcyclists who turn out to show respect for fallen veterans, police officers and firefighters, had a mission scheduled Friday in Lake Stevens in Salinas’ honor.
Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snorthnews.
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