Crime & Safety
Man Killed By State Police Identified As Kent Resident, National Guard Reservist
Michael Anthony Rude, 22, was killed by a state trooper Saturday morning after allegedly confronting officers while holding a knife.
LACEY, WA - The Thurston County Coroner on Sunday released the name of the man shot by a state trooper early Saturday morning along I-5 in Lacey. Michael Anthony Rude, 22, allegedly called 911 around 6 a.m. Saturday saying that he requesting "suicide by cop," according to state police.
The incident began in King County as Rude was driving along SR 167. State police later spotted him driving near Joint Base Lewis-McChord at "a high rate of speed." Police pulled Rude over in the left shoulder along southbound I-5 near Carpenter Road in Lacey.
Police said that rude exited his car and approached them while holding a knife. The officer who shot Rude is on paid administrative leave and is an 18-year state police veteran.
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According to the Thurston County Coroner, Rude was a reservist in the Washington National Guard.
The shooting and subsequent investigation kept several southbound lanes of I-5 closed for much of the day Saturday, creating long backups.
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Image via Washington State Patrol
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