Andrew Seay's wife called 911 for help as her husband spiraled into a mental health crisis on March 19, 2025. Less than 15 minutes later, Seattle police shot and killed the 36-year-old in a restricted parking lot behind the department's Southwest Precinct in West Seattle. Now his family is seeking $30 million from the city, alleging officers had less-lethal tools in hand and still chose to fire.
A 911 Call That Ended in Gunfire
Seay's wife dialed 911 at 12:16 p.m. after receiving a message indicating her husband was in mental distress and making suicidal statements, according to MyNorthwest. Dispatchers broadcast a priority suicide call reporting that Seay was near a Home Depot adjacent to the precinct's parking lot, the outlet reported. By just before 12:30 p.m., according to KOMO News, the confrontation inside the restricted lot on Webster Street had already turned fatal.
Several officers attempted to de-escalate as Seay appeared confused and moved around the secured lot before pulling out a folding pocketknife, per the account relayed by MyNorthwest. Body-camera video showed officers repeatedly ordering him to drop the knife, with Seay at one point stepping back and away before later moving toward officers, the same report states.
Less-Lethal Weapons Deployed Before Shots Fired
At least one officer on scene had a Taser, while another carried a 40 mm less-lethal launcher designed to fire sponge rounds from a distance, according to KOMO's account of the claim. A supervisor directed an officer to deploy the launcher, and it was fired about seven seconds after that order — but it did not stop Seay, the report states.
What happened next is described with conflicting distance estimates. MyNorthwest reported that Seay began jogging toward another officer from what appeared to be more than 30 feet away, with a single officer firing his pistol almost simultaneously with the 40 mm deployment. Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said one officer fired his gun, and KOMO's reporting identifies that officer as Kyle Hay, who fired four rounds from his handgun and was the only officer who discharged a firearm. The family's attorney, however, told KIRO 7 that the fatal shots were fired from 35 feet away. Seay died at the scene, police said.
Family Disputes Whether Deadly Force Was Justified
Attorneys Mark Lindquist and Angus Lee filed the claim on behalf of Seay's family, alleging Seattle police officers were negligent, used excessive force and violated the Americans with Disabilities Act in how they handled the encounter, per MyNorthwest's reporting. The claim also disputes whether Seay posed the immediate threat necessary to justify deadly force under Washington law and Seattle Police Department policy, the outlet reported.
The filing argues officers had opportunities to maintain distance and continue de-escalation, and had access to patrol vehicles and other structures for cover. Lindquist said Seay's death could have been prevented had officers used a Taser or the less-lethal launcher without delay, according to KOMO's reporting on the claim.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office declined to file criminal charges in connection with the shooting. The attorneys argue that decision does not determine potential civil liability, noting that criminal and civil cases carry different legal standards, per the claim's description in KOMO's report.
What Happens Next
Filing a $30 million claim is a required step before a family can pursue a lawsuit against a government agency in Washington, and attorneys say a lawsuit can be filed once 60 days have passed. The City of Seattle describes the claims process as a way for someone who believes the city is at fault for an incident resulting in loss, injury or damages to seek reimbursement, according to the City of Seattle. Separate city guidance on claims involving the police department confirms a lawsuit alleging tortious conduct by officers may follow such a filing.
Seattle police previously released body-camera video of the confrontation as part of their own review following the shooting. The case adds to a broader pattern families and advocates have pointed to nationally, including a Phoenix family's account earlier this month describing a call for help during a mental health crisis that also ended in a fatal police shooting, as reported by azfamily.com.
