Detectives with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office spent Tuesday morning at a Bothell 7-Eleven after an early-morning officer-involved shooting in the store’s parking lot, authorities said. A large law enforcement presence stayed on scene while investigators documented the area and interviewed witnesses.
What officials have said so far
Police taped off the convenience store’s parking lot while detectives photographed and processed evidence, according to KING 5. The outlet reported that officials have not said whether anyone was injured or what led up to the shooting, adding that authorities expect to release more information when it becomes available.
Who investigates officer-involved shootings
The Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team, known as SMART, conducts independent investigations of officer use-of-force incidents across the county. SMART’s public page explains the team’s role and notes that once an investigation is completed, the case is forwarded to the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office for review, which is the step that determines whether charges will be filed based on the findings.
Context: a busy spring for SMART
SMART has been called in for several use-of-force investigations in recent weeks, including an Everett shooting earlier this month that drew an independent probe, as reported by KIRO 7. The string of cases underscores how frequently the county’s independent team is activated when shootings involve local deputies or officers.
What comes next
Investigators have said they will release additional details once they are ready. When SMART wraps up an investigation, the findings are sent to the county prosecutor for review, in line with Snohomish County SMART guidance. We will update this story as officials share new information.
