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

A dramatic standoff unfolded in Auburn on April 8, 2025, when a domestic violence suspect, who had fled from Kent Police, barricaded himself inside a commercial building. The incident started around 8 a. m. after police responded to a report of a domestic assault involving a firearm in Kent. The 51-year-old suspect fled the scene in a black pickup truck, leading to a brief police pursuit that was called off for safety reasons.

After locating the suspect at his workplace, law enforcement surrounded the building and attempted negotiations for hours. When those efforts failed, the Valley SWAT Team took control and deployed tactical tools, but to no avail. As officers began to clear the building's interior, a fire erupted, ultimately engulfing the structure and forcing a retreat. Investigators suspect that the suspect was the only individual inside and may have perished in the fire, but confirmation is pending. The Independent Force Investigation Team has been called in to investigate the incident, including the cause of the fire.