Kent Police say a 28-year-old Kent man was arrested on suspicion of killing a 58-year-old Covington man who was injured during a confrontation outside EZ Smoke Shop on Pacific Highway South on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Officers were dispatched at about 7:52 p.m. Sept. 16 to 26022 Pacific Highway South for a reported assault, according to the Kent Police Department.
Witnesses told officers the victim, a store clerk, confronted a suspected shoplifter who refused to return an item.
During a brief altercation in the parking lot, the suspect intentionally struck the clerk with a vehicle and fled, police said.
Medics treated the victim at the scene and took him to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.
Sadly, the man died of his injuries on Sept. 22.
Kent Homicide detectives identified a suspect through their investigation. On Tuesday afternoon, Kent Police detectives and the Valley SWAT Team took the man into custody on Kent’s East Hill without further incident.
The investigation is ongoing, and detectives expect to seek charges in the coming days, according to the department.
Anyone who witnessed any part of the incident and has not spoken with investigators is asked to call the Kent Police tip line at 253-856-5808 or email KPDTipLine@kentwa.gov.
