KENT WA – According to police, three people lost their lives in two separate acts of violence that occurred in Kent on Tuesday night.
Late Wednesday, Kent police confirmed that a 34-year-old man had been taken into custody in connection with the double shooting. In a social media update, officials said officers were first dispatched to a home in the 21000 block of 120th Place Southeast at approximately 10:20 p.m. on Tuesday. The call came in after witnesses reported hearing gunshots following what sounded like a heated argument, along with vehicles rapidly leaving the area shortly afterward.
When officers arrived at the scene, they reported hearing someone yelling from inside the residence. Upon entering, they discovered two individuals who had been shot. Emergency medical crews responded quickly and attempted lifesaving measures, but both victims were pronounced dead before they could be transported to a hospital. Police later identified the victims as a 25-year-old man from Seattle and a 26-year-old man from Federal Way. Investigators believe the victims were acquainted with the suspect.
Roughly an hour and a half later, and about six miles west of the first incident, police were called to a separate scene involving a fatal stabbing. A caller had reported finding a man lying on the sidewalk who appeared to have been seriously injured. Officers responded to the 1700 block of West Meeker Street just before 11:55 p.m., where they located a man suffering from significant blood loss. Officers and medics attempted to provide emergency care, but despite their efforts, the man died from his injuries at the scene before he could be taken to a hospital.
On Wednesday afternoon, Kent police announced that detectives had identified a suspect connected to the earlier shooting and had begun surveillance efforts. In their statement, police said that with assistance from the Tukwila and Auburn Special Investigation Units, the suspect was eventually located within Kent city limits. At that point, the Valley SWAT team and trained negotiators were called in to coordinate the suspect’s surrender safely.
As of Wednesday, authorities had not reported any arrests related to the fatal stabbing incident, and that case remains under investigation.
Police are asking anyone who may have information about either incident to contact the Kent Police tip line.