information from Seattle Police Blotter

Detectives are investigating after an officer spotted a fight where the participants had guns, and the officer opened fire In the North Admiral neighborhood around 10:30 pm Thursday.

An officer patrolling the 2300 block of California Avenue Southwest Thursday night saw a fight involving multiple men in the alley. The officer went to break up the scuffle when two of the people involved in the fight pulled out handguns. The officer drew their firearm and shot multiple times at the men. The group scattered leaving behind one handgun and an injured person.

The Seattle Fire Department responded to the scene and treated the victim for minor injuries suffered in the fight. At this time investigators do not believe anyone was injured from the officer’s shots.

Patrol officers are still actively searching the neighborhood for the other involved parties.

Detectives are interviewing the victim to determine what led up to the assault. The Force Investigations Team is conducting the investigation into the officer’s use of force and will provide updates as they become available. 

The 45-year-old officer, a 5-year veteran of the department, has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

The officer was working a plainclothes assignment and was not equipped with a body-worn camera during the incident. However, detectives are canvassing businesses in the area to recover any surveillance video that may have captured the incident, and are asking anyone with footage or information about this case to please call (206)233-5000.