$30 million claim filed against Seattle over fatal police shooting of man in alleged mental health crisis

Attorneys for the family of a Seattle man fatally shot by police have filed a $30 million claim against the city, alleging officers used excessive force and failed to properly de-escalate the encounter.

The claim, filed Wednesday by attorneys Mark Lindquist and Angus Lee, stems from the March 19, 2025, shooting death of 36-year-old Urban Andrew Seay outside the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) Southwest Precinct.

According to the claim, Seay’s wife called 911 at 12:16 p.m. after receiving a message indicating her husband was in mental distress and making suicidal statements. Dispatchers broadcast a priority suicide call, reporting Seay was near a Home Depot adjacent to the police precinct.

Two minutes later, an officer spotted Seay inside the gated, restricted-access parking area at the precinct.

Officers attempted to escort Seay from the secured lot. According to the claim, Seay appeared confused and continued to move around the parking lot before pulling out a folding knife.

Police body-worn cameras appear to show officers ordering Seay multiple times to drop the knife. The video then appeared to show Seay moving toward officers.

Officers requested a 40 mm launcher, a less-lethal weapon designed to strike a person from a greater distance. The claim said at least one officer also had a Taser available. A supervisor directed an officer to deploy the 40 mm launcher.

Seconds later, Seay began jogging in the direction of another officer from what appeared to be more than 30 feet away. Almost simultaneously with the 40 mm deployment, a single officer fired his pistol several times. Police say Seay died at the scene.

“Mr. Seay’s death could have been prevented if officers had used a Taser, or used the less lethal launcher without delay, or followed Seattle’s own policies on de-escalation,” Lindquist said.

Attorneys allege Seattle officers were negligent, used excessive force

In the $30 million claim, Lindquist and Lee allege Seattle police officers were negligent, used excessive force and violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, among other state and federal claims.

The attorneys argued the shooting could have been prevented if officers had used a Taser, deployed the 40 mm launcher sooner, or followed SPD’s de-escalation policies.

The claim also disputed whether Seay posed the immediate threat necessary to justify deadly force under Washington law and SPD policy.

The city has 60 days to respond to the claim before the family can file a lawsuit in court.

Seattle police directed KIRO Newsradio’s questions to the City Attorney’s Office. So far, there’s been no comment.

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