Man Dead At Renton Homeless Camp Was 'Victim Of Violence'

RENTON, WA — A man found at a Renton homeless camp on Tuesday was the victim of violence and likely died before a fire broke out there, police are reporting.

The unidentified man was found dead around 5 p.m. Tuesday along the 1900 block of Oakesdale Avenue after firefighters put out a blaze burning near a group of tents. The man's death was initially thought to be an accident.

"Further investigation has shown that the man suffered several wounds not related to the fire and that he was deceased before fire reached his body," Renton police Commander David Liebman said on Thursday.

Three people were seen near the scene of the fire, but have not been identified. Police are also looking for anyone who might know the man who died. Police only said that he was a white man who was about 5'5" tall.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS. There's a possible $1,000 reward for usable information.