‘Deadly force should be a last resort’: Family attorney questions Seattle police tactics as Andrew Seay’s family files $30M claim

The family of Urban Andrew Seay has filed a $30 million claim against Seattle, alleging officers used excessive force and failed to properly respond to his mental health crisis. Seay, 36, was fatally shot outside the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) Southwest Precinct on March 19, 2025.

Speaking with “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, family attorney Mark Lindquist questioned officers’ access to Tasers and their use of less-lethal weapons during the encounter.

“We want to see the officers use non-lethal weapons like the Tasers and the 40-millimeter launcher before they resort to deadly force,” Lindquist said. “Deadly force should be a last resort.”

Wife called 911 seeking help

Lindquist described Seay’s mental health struggles and recent job loss.

“He’d sent a text message to his wife on this day, and he had reached a point of what she saw as extreme mental distress, suicidal,” Lindquist said. “And so she called 911, looking for help, not imagining this would end the way that it did.”

Police said Seay entered a restricted parking area with a knife and ignored officers’ verbal orders. Lindquist described officers initially directing Seay toward an exit.

“He follows their instructions at first, but then he looks confused, and he meanders,” Lindquist said.

Lindquist questions access to Tasers

Lindquist said the family wants answers about the equipment available to officers.

“We don’t know why it appears only one officer on the scene had a Taser,” Lindquist said. “Secondly, we don’t know why the officer who did have a Taser didn’t use it.”

When asked about the danger posed by someone holding a knife, Lindquist acknowledged officers’ safety concerns.

“Officers do want to go home at night, and they should be able to go home safely at night. And they’ve got a tough job, no doubt about it,” Lindquist said. “But that’s one of the reasons that they go through a lot of training.”

He described his assessment of the officers’ positions.

“There are numerous officers present. They have shield and cover. They have distance, and distance is one of the things you’re taught as an officer to keep when you’ve got a suspect who’s armed with a knife,” Lindquist said. “They’re not trying to corral a bank robber here. They’re dealing with a regular citizen who has mental health issues.”

Timing of less-lethal force disputed

A 40-millimeter launcher was fired almost simultaneously with the officer’s handgun, Lindquist said. Lindquist explained why the distance between Seay and the officer who shot him carries weight.

“Mr. Seay was more than 35 feet away from the shooter,” Lindquist said. “Guns were drawn, and they were ready. They had time. Officers are trained that someone with a knife within 21 feet is a danger because they can move too quickly for you to properly react. Mr. Seay was outside of the 21-foot range. They had ample time and circumstances to use non-lethal force.”

Family seeks answers alongside compensation

Rather than the $30 million figure, Lindquist discussed the claim’s purpose.

“If I had my way, we wouldn’t put a number in the initial claim, but Washington law requires you to do that,” Lindquist said. “Really, it’s just a number for now. What we’re focused on is answers and accountability, and later we’ll figure out the right number.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.