A multi-agency team has finished investigating the King County SWAT’s shooting of a 43-year-old man in December 2021 in Algona, near Auburn, that resulted in the man’s death, and have referred the case to prosecutors.

Valley SWAT members shot 43-year-old Sorin Ardelean while responding to a domestic violence hostage situation.

According to an email from Sharon Bogan, a spokesperson for the King County Medical Examiner, the medical examiner’s office identified Ardelean’s death as a homicide resulting from “gunshot wounds of the pelvis and lower extremities” that he received at a residence in Auburn.

The Independent Force Investigation Team of King County announced on April 10 that the team sent the case to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.

“The lead King County Sheriff’s Office detective on the case just delivered this investigation to us and we anticipate reviewing it and following up with the detective in the next couple weeks,” stated Casey McNerthney, director of communications for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, in an email April 17.

Sergeant Eric White, public information officer for the investigation, responded to questions regarding the investigation’s findings, stating an inability to provide information regarding the investigation without first following a process requiring the notification of a representative and liaison assigned to the case.

According to the investigation team’s initial release, Algona police responded to the 200 block of Algona Boulevard South at approximately 1 p.m. Dec. 27, 2021, after receiving a report of a domestic violence hostage situation involving three hostages.

The suspect fired at officers after attempts to contact one of the hostages upon arrival at the scene, with officers retreating and calling in SWAT, according to the investigation team.

Two Valley SWAT members fired weapons at Ardelean, striking him, after officers encountered him, according to the team.