An unidentified individual died on May 24, 2024, as a result of a deputy-involved shooting in Auburn involving the King County Sheriff’s Office and Auburn Police Department.
The Valley Independent Investigative Team — a seven-agency team that investigates incidents involving police and includes members from the Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Port of Seattle and Tukwila police departments — will oversee the investigation of the death. The Des Moines Police Department serves as the investigative lead of the incident.
Both the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Auburn Police Department have been excluded from participating in the team’s investigation as a result of involvement in the incident, according to a news release.
Kolby Crossley, public information officer for the Auburn Police Department, said the department served to assist in shutting down the road for the King County Sheriff’s Office and participated in no further capacity in the incident.
“It was a planned incident for them and all we did was help close the road,” Crossley said.
According to the news release, the King County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Auburn Police Department responded at about 11 a.m. May 24 at 24 Auburn Way South in Auburn to serve a high risk civil eviction order.
“Within minutes of arriving at the location, deputies made contact, which led to them utilizing deadly force,” stated the news release. “Despite the efforts of first responders, the subject was pronounced deceased at the scene. No officers were injured.”
The news release provided no specifications nor identification regarding the deceased individual.
According to the news release, detectives from the Valley Independent Investigative Team responded to the scene and continue to investigate the death.
Six sheriff’s office deputies involved in the incident have all been placed on administrative leave, according to the news release.
“We don’t have any information on our end,” Crossley said in an email.
The Des Moines Police Department declined to any media interviews the day of the shooting and stated “more information will be released when it becomes available.”
