Three teens arrested in Kent police officer’s death

Three teens — one 15-year-old, one 16-year-old, and one 17-year-old — have been arrested in connection with a high-speed chase that ended in a Kent officer’s death Sunday morning.

Police were pursuing a suspect in a red truck, which witnesses identified as being involved in a shooting Sunday morning.

Officers chased the truck on westbound State Route 516 near Meeker Street. At one point, the vehicle made a U-turn and sped off.

Washington State Patrol officials said a Kent police officer deployed spike strips. The officer deploying spike strips, Officer Diego Moreno, was hit by a responding officer pursuing the suspect.

A second officer involved in the pursuit was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, officials said. He was in critical condition Sunday morning.

Officials said the vehicle being pursued later crashed near State Route 167 and one teenager was arrested. An unknown number of people ran from the scene.

Kent police said Officer Moreno was an eight-year veteran of the department.

“I want to make it crystal clear,” Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said in a news conference on Monday. “This tragedy is the result of violent criminal action by suspects involved. Period.”

A post on the Kent Police Department’s Facebook page reads, “his contributions to our department, and positive impact on his co-workers and the community, have been significant.”

Police and fire agencies around Washington state shared their sympathies Sunday with the Kent Police Department.

Friends of Moreno are still in shock over his death, describing him as one of the kindest people you could ever meet.

“He would come and talk to the kids about what it means to be a cop and to not be afraid of police,” Emily Eagie, who used to work with Moreno, told KIRO 7. “He embodied life and love and he spread that every where he went. He was an amazing husband and father and friend.”

Moreno leaves behind a wife and two young children.

The City of Kent is hosting a vigil Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Town Square Plaza to honor Officer Diego Moreno.

KIRO 7 and KIRO Radio contributed to this report.

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