A man who returned to his former workplace armed with a firearm and a gas can was found dead inside a Kent warehouse on Thursday, June 5, 2025 after setting multiple fires and prompting a large law enforcement and fire response, according to the Kent Police Department.
Officers responded to the 6600 block of South 216th Street (map below) Thursday morning after multiple 911 callers reported a recently terminated employee had returned to the business, was threatening workers, and was seen carrying a firearm and gas can.
When officers arrived, they found the suspect — a 55-year-old white male from Federal Way — inside the warehouse portion of the business. He was reportedly non-compliant and holding a firearm at his side.
Officers also confirmed that fires had been set inside the building and eventually withdrew for safety.
“Radio traffic included the transmission, ‘Shots fired,’” Kent Police said in an official update.
As the situation escalated, all employees were safely evacuated, and Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority and King County Medics were called in. Due to heavy smoke and the unknown threat inside, officers deployed a drone to assess conditions.
The UAV located the suspect inside the warehouse. He was deceased.
Police closed the usually-busy 68th Ave South for several hours (we know because we witnessed it from about a block away just before 11 a.m. as we took a makeshift detour).
Police and fire personnel are continuing efforts to ventilate the building to allow safe re-entry.
The Valley Independent Investigation Team has been requested to conduct a full review, as is standard protocol in such incidents.
Currently 68th Avenue South is closed between South 216th Street and South 220th Street.
— Puget Sound Fire (@PugetSoundFire) June 5, 2025
The warehouse was secured and deemed safe for firefighters to enter at approximately 2:50 pm. Puget Sound Fire firefighters entered the building and extinguished the remaining fire and are currently extinguishing hotspots.
— Puget Sound Fire (@PugetSoundFire) June 5, 2025
