Kent Reporter
KENT — Kent Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that killed a hit-and-run suspect early Monday morning.
At about midnight, Kent Police responded to assist Auburn Police, who were in pursuit of a hit-and-run suspect who was eluding and driving into the city of Kent, according to a Kent Police news release. Auburn Police were successful in spiking at least one tire of the suspect’s vehicle, which significantly slowed the vehicle but did not stop it.
Kent officers located the vehicle and pursued it briefly before performing a pursuit intervention technique, successfully stopping the vehicle in the 9500 block of Canyon Drive. As officers attempted to pin the vehicle in and contact the male driver, the suspect fired at least one shot at a Kent officer, according to the news release. That officer responded to the threat by firing back and striking the suspect.
Kent officers attempted life-saving measures on the suspect, but he was pronounced dead while being transported to a hospital. He was believed to be a 38-year-old man.
No Kent officers sustained injuries. The officer involved is an eight-year veteran.
“The deceased male in this incident chose to take deadly actions against our officer and forced him to take action to defend himself and his fellow officers,” Chief Rafael Padilla said in the news release.
Kent Police are conducting a pilot program for body cameras with 12 officers. None of the involved officers is a part of the project and do not have cameras issued to them.
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