VIDEO: Police body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in Poulsbo released
May 14, 2025, 7:35 PM | Updated: 7:54 pm
A still shot from body camera footage from the night Poulsbo Police shot and killed a man armed with a knife. (Courtesy Kitsap County Sheriff's Office)
(Courtesy Kitsap County Sheriff's Office)
Authorities have released police body camera footage of last week’s fatal officer-involved shooting in Poulsbo.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
The incident began around 9:15 p.m. on May 7 when a Poulsbo police officer attempted to stop a vehicle near Viking Way and Nordic Cove Lane. The driver refused to pull over, prompting a pursuit. Deputies from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist, according to a news release from the Poulsbo Police Department.
After the vehicle came to a stop, officers approached the driver, who was reportedly armed with a large knife. Authorities said the suspect refused to comply with commands and posed a threat to officers and deputies on the scene.
Police pursuit turns into officer-involved shooting
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“After attempts to de-escalate and the use of non-lethal options were unsuccessful, the suspect continued to present a lethal threat to officers, causing the use of deadly force, which resulted in the death of the suspect,” the police department said.
The video shows officers deploying pepper balls and a taser on the suspect. They can also be heard repeatedly ordering the man to drop the knife he was holding. The footage released Wednesday stops before the deadly shots were fired.
No officers or deputies were injured during the incident.
In accordance with standard procedure, the officers and deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave. The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) has taken over the investigation into the shooting.
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