Investigators probe death

Person died while in police handcuffs prompting investigation

Seattle Police investigated a death on Airport Way S near R-Day festivities on Saturday, Sept 12. IFIT-KC took over the investigation the following day. (Photo by Steve Lannen)

[UPDATED: This story was updated Sept. 13 to report the statement and information provided by the Independent Force Investigative Team King County (IFIT-KC)]

While R-Day revelers carried on at the afterparties and crews broke down stages and loaded barriers on trucks, a death investigation took place nearby.

Late Saturday night, a body covered with a blanket lay in the left southbound lane of Airport Way S. near the intersection with 13th Avenue S. underneath the on-ramp to Interstate 5.

For several hours, yellow and red crime scene tape blocked the sidewalk and street. Police officers stopped and redirected any pedestrian attempting to walk past Smarty Pants. Inside the taped off scene, forensic investigators from SPD's Crime Scene Investigations unit snapped pictures and gathered evidence.

No one on the scene with SPD would say what happened. Early Sunday morning, The Gazette requested to speak with a public information officer, but no one from SPD returned a call or subsequent email to the SPD communications department.

On Sunday afternoon, it became clear why SPD would not talk. A press release from the Independent Force Investigative Team King County (IFIT-KC) announced it was investigating an officer-involved death investigation. It provided the following information it called "preliminary":

• At about 8:17 p.m. Saturday an unidentified person was found lying on a sidewalk. The subject was unable to clearly speak or care for himself.

• The person was escorted to a police vehicle and allowed to sit on the front without handcuffs. Help was requested to evaluate the subject.

• The subject dropped to the ground and began rolling across the roadway. The subject was placed in handcuffs. While waiting for aid, the subject lost consciousness.

• Lifesaving measures were attempted by first responders. They could not resuscitate the person.

The IFIT-KC statement said public notifications would be released weekly until the investigation concludes.