|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… |
A Renton firefighter shot during a response call is out of the hospital and the man accused of firing the shot, who was killed by police officers, has been identified.
Sonny Miranda Mitchell, 47, died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Nov. 9 report by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Firefighters were flagged down at about 8:30 p.m. Nov. 5 regarding an unresponsive person in a van at Planet Fitness, 4613 NE Sunset Blvd., according to a Nov. 6 press release issued by the Valley Independent Investigative Team. Firefighters discovered a male in the van who was unresponsive. As they attempted to provide treatment, they noticed the man was armed, according to the press release.
The man, later identified as Mitchell, became alert and fired at the responding firefighters, striking one firefighter in the armpit area.
Numerous officers from several Valley agencies responded to the first distress call. During the police response, officers from Renton and Tukwila shot Mitchell, who remained in the vehicle, according to the Valley Independent Investigative Team. Mitchell was pronounced dead at the scene.
The multi-agency Valley team includes investigators from eight law enforcement agencies (Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, King County Sheriff’s Office, Renton, Port of Seattle and Tukwila). With Renton Police as the involved agency, its staff is excluded from the investigation. Auburn Police are the lead agency.
Auburn Police detectives will conduct an extensive investigation over the coming days into the shooting, according to the Valley Independent Investigation Team.
Paramedics transported the firefighter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where the firefighter was discharged on Nov. 6, according to the Renton Regional Fire Authority.
Fire department’s statement
“We would like to take a moment to extend our heart-felt appreciation to our firefighters and public service partners, including Renton Police Department, local healthcare professionals, and our fire service family, for their quick response and support during this difficult experience,” according to a Renton Regional Fire Authority Facebook post Nov. 6.
“We prepare every day to assist the community with any emergency need they may have, but when the emergency suddenly becomes the people purpose-built to address it, it hits differently. It reminds us why we invest in and spend long hours training to have one of the best EMS systems in the world. That system, and the people who make it exceptional, came through for one of our own. We are extremely grateful.
“Thank you, Renton, for all of your kind words and positive energy. We have felt the outpour of love from our local community in spades today (Nov. 6).”
