What started as a routine patrol near a Tukwila shopping area turned into a tense search on Wednesday, after an off-duty security worker flagged down an officer to report a sexual assault and a suspect who might still be nearby.
According to a Tukwila Police Department post on July 1, the officer immediately broadcast a description of the suspect, and units rushed in, setting up a perimeter around the retail complex while specialized resources swept the area.
Officers eventually found a man hiding inside a dumpster enclosure. Police say he followed verbal commands and walked out, and they took him into custody without force as investigators worked the scene for evidence.
Evidence Recovered And K9 Track
The Tukwila Police Department said officers and a K9 team combed the area after the arrest. "Multiple pieces of evidence, including a firearm and a firearm magazine, were recovered," the department wrote, adding that K9 Raider performed an evidence track for items the suspect had allegedly discarded.
Police say the man admitted he had been in possession of the recovered firearm and that he is barred from having guns. He was booked into jail on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm and for an investigation into sexual assault. Formal charges will come later, once prosecutors review the case.
Legal Context
Under Washington law, certain people, including those convicted of serious felonies or covered by some protection orders, are not allowed to possess firearms. Those rules are laid out in the Washington State Legislature code on unlawful possession. Depending on someone’s record and the details of the case, the charge can be filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
How To Help Or Get Support
Tukwila Police are asking anyone who may have information about the incident to reach out through the department’s non-emergency line or submit a tip online. Contact options are listed on the Tukwila Police Department page.
For those seeking support after a sexual assault, the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center operates a 24/7 resource line at 888-998-6423 that offers free, confidential help.
