The Seattle Police Department has disclosed new information relating to the officer-involved shooting that took place last Friday, June 20, in an effort to maintain a stance of transparency with the public. Included in the release is body-worn video footage from the incident, which occurred in the 3200 block of East Madison Street, where officers were initially called to the scene due to a report of domestic violence. The SPD confirmed that Officer Leonardo Bassi Rodriguez, the officer involved, has been placed on administrative leave, as standard procedure after such events require that actions are reviewed and investigated by the department's Force Investigation Team.
According to the details provided in the video shared by SPD on their official blotter, the events unfolded when the suspect, after an initial confrontation, barricaded himself in his apartment and began firing multiple rounds at the officers and a victim associated with the domestic violence call, which escalated the situation to the point where an SPD officer, later identified as Officer Rodriguez, felt compelled to discharge his department firearm, striking the suspect in the process of attempting to neutralize the threat. The department has issued a warning that the video contains graphic content and may be disturbing for some viewers.
The scrutiny that follows an officer-involved shooting is intense; the Force Investigation Team ensures every detail is meticulously examined to determine whether the use of force was justified and in line with SPD policies. As Officer Rodriguez awaits the findings of this assessment, the conversation about law enforcement's use of force, especially in domestic violence incidents, takes a prominent seat at the table among community members and policymakers alike.
The Seattle community now watches as the story continues to unfold, awaiting the Force Investigation Team's final report, which will shed light on the events of June 20 and the actions of Officer Rodriguez that day.
