Inquest ordered in fatal Auburn police shooting

SEATTLE – King County Executive Dow Constantine has ordered an inquest into the fatal shooting by an Auburn police officer on Sept. 9.

An officer shot Travis Eugene Ell after responding to a 911 call on Pike Street Northeast, according to a Renton Police Department investigation.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recommended the inquest after reviewing police reports.

An inquest is a fact-finding hearing conducted by a six-member jury to determine the circumstances of any death involving law enforcement.

KIRO-TV has reported that Auburn police responded to a report of someone breaking lights and windows in a parking lot. Police said the man threatened the officer before he was shot.

Family members told KIRO that Ell was a brilliant electrical engineer who had struggled with mental health issues.