Armed domestic violence suspect who fled from Kent Police presumed dead after fire during standoff in Auburn Tuesday night

On April 8, 2025, a domestic violence suspect is presumed dead after a fire broke out during a standoff with law enforcement in Auburn. The situation began early that morning when officers responded to a report of a domestic assault involving a firearm at an apartment in Kent. The 51-year-old suspect fled in a black pickup truck, leading police on a brief pursuit that was terminated for safety reasons. Later, officers located the suspect at his workplace, where negotiations failed to persuade him to surrender. The Valley SWAT Team attempted to resolve the situation using drones and chemical munitions, but the suspect remained barricaded.

As they cleared the building, a fire erupted, forcing officers to retreat. The structure was ultimately consumed by flames, and investigators believe the suspect was the only individual inside. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the Independent Force Investigation Team has been called in to conduct a full inquiry into the incident.