Man Killed By Lake Stevens Police Told 911 'I Want To Kill Cops'

LAKE STEVENS, WA - A 33-year-old Lake Stevens man was shot and killed by a Lake Stevens police officer Thursday morning, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, and may have invited the confrontation with police.

The incident happened around 10:15 a.m. Thursday when Lake Stevens police went to a home along the 7100 block of 18th Place Southeast after a man called 911 and said, "I want to kill cops." Residents in the area also called 911, reporting that a man was walking around wearing bloody clothing and holding a flag.

When officers arrived, the man was wandering in an area near 70th Avenue Southeast and SR 204. The man moved toward police holding a knife, they said. The police used a Taser on him, but the man did not stop or drop the knife. An officer fired one shot, which killed the man.

The incident is being investigated by the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART), which includes members from Edmonds police. The SMART team investigates officer-involved shootings.

The Lake Stevens officer who fired the shot has been placed on administrative leave. He has been an officer for just over a year, the SMART team reported.

Image via Shutterstock