15-year-old driver shot by Kent Police officer following traffic stop



KENT -- A Kent Police officer opened fire on a 15-year-old boy following a traffic stop near Kent Station early Tuesday morning.

According to the Kent Police Department, the officer stopped a vehicle with expired tabs about 12:30 a.m. at the intersection of Central Avenue North and East Pioneer Street in Kent.



The officer spotted a firearm and called for backup, but before backup arrived the officer called out shots fired. Police have not said what prompted the officer to shoot. The driver, a 15-year-old with a criminal history, was shot in his right arm and upper right leg.

The driver of the car, a teenager, was shot twice and taken to Harboview Medical Center. A hospital spokesperson says the teen is in satisfactory condition.

Kent Police say none of the responding officers were wearing body cameras, but two nearby business caught the traffic stop on surveillance video.

Mike Avent woke up to the sound of gunshots just outside of his door. He says he looked out of his window to see what was going on when the shooting happened across the street from his home.

"I just heard a big bang because it woke me up," Avent explained.  "Then I look out the window and saw one cop car and then they just started coming. I saw when they pulled the guy out and put him on the ground it was kind of bad."

The Valley Investigation Team is now conducting the investigation into the shooting. The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.