SEATTLE — A man is dead and another is in custody after a stabbing prompted an hours-long standoff in North Seattle.
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) reports the stabbing happened just before noon at or around a group home near the corner of Aurora and 84th. Following the deadly attack, the suspect barricaded himself inside the home.
“Exit the residence with your hands empty and in the air,” negotiators told the suspect over a loudspeaker. “Failure to comply will result in the use of less lethal munitions.”
Roads near the home were taped off, and armored vehicles rolled into the neighborhood. Officers pointed rifles at the home where the suspect was hiding.
They repeatedly addressed him via loudspeaker, detonated a flashbang and fired pepperballs through the windows.
SPD said they were able to get the victim away from the suspect, but he died on the scene.
“Despite all lifesaving measures, an adult male was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Detective Eric Muñoz of the Seattle Police Department said.
The suspect surrendered after nearly five hours. SPD reports he is 51 years old and under investigation for murder.
“Our police officers and SWAT team established a safety perimeter while the negotiations ensued,” Muñoz said. “Ultimately, the SWAT team employed less-lethal munitions and the suspect exited the residence. SWAT took him into police custody and that’s where we are now.”
SPD said the suspect and victim knew each other. It is not clear what led up to the stabbing.
“As a police department, we always encourage people if they have any conflict, that they resolve those verbally,” Muñoz said. “We never want it to escalate into violence. Obviously, that’s a very bad thing, bad for our community. Of course, it’s very terrible if that results in a homicide.”
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