UPDATE: Man with knife shot to death at SW Precinct; Police release body cam footage of incident

UPDATE: Man with knife shot to death at SW Precinct; Police release body cam footage of incident

The Southwest Seattle Police Precinct was the scene of a shooting on Wednesday afternoon after a man approached officers with a knife. Desecalation was attempted to no effect and he died after being shot.

No explanation was offered as to why this car was taped off following the incident.

Photo by Patrick Robinson

Fri, 03/21/2025

Update 4:11pm Friday

Seattle Police released an edited version of the bodycam footage involving the shooting death of a man with a knife who had climbed the fence of the secure parking lot for the Southwest Precinct. The video shows officers attempting to descalate, then firing a sponge round and finally firing on the suspect when he did not stop. SPD stated "On March 19th, 2025, The 911 call center (CARE) received a call regarding a suicidal subject. The caller stated that she had received a message from the subject indicating he was suicidal and had left his vehicle at Home Depot in West Seattle. The subject proceeded to enter a secured Seattle Police facility by climbing a fence that separates the Home Depot parking lot from the Southwest Precinct parking lot.

WARNING: THE VIDEO IMAGES ARE GRAPHIC

VIDEO: Officer involved shooting at the Southwest Precinct
Seattle Police Department

Original Post 

Seattle police detectives in the Force Investigation Team are investigating after an SPD officer shot a person outside of the Southwest Precinct building this afternoon.

On March 19, at 12:18 p.m., patrol officers at the precinct responded to a male in the gated police parking lot armed with a knife. Police attempted de-escalation, including the use of a less-lethal device. It was a 40 mm "sponge round" according to Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes.

Those efforts were unsuccessful. Ultimately, an SPD officer discharged his department handgun, striking the man. Police provided medical aid immediately.

The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) arrived on-scene and continued medical treatment. SFD pronounced the male deceased at the scene. Force Investigation Team will investigate the use of force.

Representatives from the Office of Police Accountability and Office of Inspector General responded to the scene. The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation.

Per policy, the department will release video of the incident within 72 hours. Incident Number: 2025-73847

Robinson Papers
West Seattle Herald