Summary

Executive Constantine has ordered an inquest into the fatal shooting of a Travis E. Ell by Auburn police officers on Sept. 9, 2016. The purpose of inquests is to determine the causes and circumstances of any death involving a member of law enforcement within King County while performing his or her duty.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine ordered an inquest into the fatal shooting of Travis Eugene Ell by Auburn Police Department officers on Sept. 9, 2016. According to an investigation conducted by Renton Police Department, an Auburn police officer fatally shot Ell after responding to a 911 call in the 800 block of Pike Street Northeast.

The King County Prosecutor’s Office recommended the inquest after reviewing materials provided by Renton Police Department.

Inquests are fact-finding hearings conducted before a six-member jury. Under a standing Executive Order, inquests are convened to determine the causes and circumstances of any death involving a member of any law enforcement agency within King County while performing his or her duty.

Inquests provide transparency into law enforcement actions so the public may have all the facts established in a court of law. The ordering of an inquest should carry no other implication. Inquest jurors answer a series of interrogatories to determine the significant factual issues involved in the case, and it is not their purpose to determine whether any person or agency is civilly or criminally liable.

The order signed by the Executive requests that King County District Court Presiding Judge Donna Tucker assign a judge to set a date and conduct the inquest.

The ordering of inquests is a function vested in the county executive under the King County Code.

Read the Executive Order on conducting inquests in King County.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Chad Lewis, Executive Office, 206-263-1250