LOCAL NEWS
Suspect dead after King County Sheriff’s deputy shot in Ballard
Mar 20, 2023, 10:31 AM | Updated: Mar 21, 2023, 11:58 am

Sheriff's Deputy has been shot in the 900 block of NW 54th Street in Ballard. (Photo by Sam Campbell)
(Photo by Sam Campbell)
Updated 3:30 p.m.
Meeghan Black, PIO, Independent Force Investigative Team King County, gave a statement Monday afternoon following the incident in Ballard.
This morning, three King County Sheriff’s detectives were serving an eviction notice here in Ballard. When they initially made contact at the residence, there was gunfire that was exchanged.
One of the deputies was struck in the initial gunfire, the subject then retreated back into the residence. While they’re rendering aid to that detective, the sheriff’s deputy, they later found out that the individual inside was deceased.
And so at this point in time, we have the OLEO investigative team that is responding to process the scene to talk to everybody involved.
The sheriff’s deputy that was transferred to Harborview Medical Center is still in surgery at this time, but he is in stable condition. And from what we were told he was in fairly good spirits when he got to the hospital. So he was communicative. They did take him into surgery. And at this point, we’re waiting for him to get out.
So at this point, we’re trying to determine exactly who fired first. So the process that happens in one of these investigative situations is the incident happens when there’s a law enforcement official that is involved in the shooting, and they lock down the scene immediately. They take the individuals who are involved and they separate them, and then they wait until they can be interviewed separately.
And so that’s where we are at this point, the investigative team is made up of 11 to 13 different agencies and so different detectives from all the different agencies will converge on the scene or around the scene, and then they spread out. So it’s the process is lengthy and it does take some time. And we’re really in the very early stages of this investigation.
Updated 1:20 p.m.
The alleged suspect involved in the deputy-involved shooting was found dead in the apartment, according to the Independent Force Investigative Team King County (IFIT-KC).
IFIT-KC update for the deputy-involved shooting in Ballard this morning. Working on more details and will post shortly on media availability. pic.twitter.com/oDD6FwKKBj
— Bellevue, WA Police (@BvuePD) March 20, 2023
Updated 12:08 a.m.
KIRO Newsradio’s Sam Campbell reports a SWAT team has surrounded a building in the 800 block of NW 54th Street where a suspect is believed to be barricaded inside.
Police say the scene has been secured.
An independent force investigation team has been assigned to the incident which usually happens after police use force.
Updated 11:50 a.m.
Scene is secure. Independent Force Investigation Team – King County IFIT-KC has been contacted and will be assuming investigation. https://t.co/4nKtYBy0ea
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) March 20, 2023
Updated 11:35 a.m.
KIRO Newsradio’s Sam Campbell reports it’s not clear if the suspect who may have shot a King County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested. The deputy remains in critical condition, according to Harborview Medical Center. An eyewitness tells Sam she heard 5-6 shots fired around the time of the incident. The police presence appears to be shrinking, but police are still asking people to avoid the area,
Updated 11:25 a.m.
Susan Gregg from Harborview Medical Center says that the Sheriff’s deputy shot in Ballard is in critical condition.
Updated 11:10 a.m.
KIRO Newsradio’s Sam Campbell reports a King County Sheriff’s deputy is in stable condition after being shot in Ballard. Dozens of law enforcement and a SWAT team have arrived on the scene. Officers are in body armor. They are using a megaphone in an effort to speak with a suspect barricaded in a white apartment building near 53rd and 8th. Police are asking people to avoid the area.
Updated 11:00 a.m.
DEVELOPING: Heavy and growing police/SWAT presence in Ballard after authorities say a King County Sheriff’s Deputy detective was shot.
Suspect appears to be barricaded in a white apartment building where police are surrounding, some taking cover behind cars. pic.twitter.com/uZw9Jpmk6m
— Sam Campbell (@HeySamCampbell) March 20, 2023
Update 10:40 a.m.
Seattle Police and King County Sheriff’s Office on scene with barricaded subject in the 800 block Northwest 54th Street. KCSO Detective sustained gunshot wound. Transported to the hospital and in stable condition. Please stay out of the area. More information when available.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) March 20, 2023
Original
A King County Sheriff’s deputy was shot Monday morning during an eviction notice in Ballard. The suspect is now barricaded inside his home as the deputy was transported to Harborview Medical Center, according to Jason Rantz of AM 770 KTTH.
There is currently significant police activity in the 800 block of NW 54th Street, reports KIRO Newsradio’s Sam Campbell.
HAPPENING NOW: A King County Sheriff’s Deputy was shot in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood during what I’m told was an eviction notice. The suspect is now barricaded inside his home as the deputy was transported to Harborview Medical Center.
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) March 20, 2023
The incident happened just off Market Street in Ballard.
Seattle Transit reports Route 44 is rerouted in both directions off of NW Market St between 3rd Ave NW and 8th Ave NW and will travel instead via NW 65th St, 3rd Ave NW and 8th Ave NW, due to police activity.
Route 44 is rerouted in both directions off of NW Market St between 3rd Ave NW and 8th Ave NW, and will travel instead via NW 65th St, 3rd Ave NW and 8th Ave NW, due to police activity. https://t.co/pDKGkY26pk
— King County Metro Transit Alerts 🚏🚍⚠️ (@kcmetroalerts) March 20, 2023
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.