City of Seattle, WA
08/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/28/2024 15:26
Police Negotiate with Woman in Crisis, Wielding Shotgun, Molotov Cocktail in South Seattle
Seattle police negotiated with a woman in behavioral crisis as she was wielding a shotgun and a Molotov cocktail in South Seattle last Tuesday.
On August 20th at 1:14 a.m., patrol officers responded to a report of a woman in crisis believed to be using alcohol and narcotics in the 4500 block of South Mead Street. When they approached her residence, they observed a shotgun through one of the windows.
Officers on the Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) began a dialogue with the woman. She screamed at police, and exited the residence armed with the shotgun, brandishing and waving it around in all directions, including at police officers.
Officers were "courageously continuing to attempt to de-escalate and keep engagement with the female in the face of immediate danger," according to their police sergeant.
Officers continued negotiating with the woman to exit her residence. When she did, she no longer had the shotgun but was armed with a Molotov cocktail and a lighter as she approached police. She slipped and dropped the unlit device and was quickly taken into custody without incident.
The woman, 33, was treated by the Seattle Fire Department on scene and taken to Swedish Hospital for Medical Evaluation and Treatment. Charges were requested for Reckless Endangerment and Aiming/Discharging of a Firearm.
Police applied for a residential search warrant, and it was signed by a judge. Officers executed the warrant and recovered a 12-guage shotgun, broken liquor bottle, and a lighter as evidence.
Detectives in the Crisis Response Team (CRT) were assigned to this case. According to CRT, officers displayed "good restraint, good training, and good tactics." They petitioned for an Extreme Risk Protection Order and a temporary Order was granted and served.
None of the responding officers sustained injuries.
[Link][Link][Link]#2024-234013/South Precinct/Third Watch