A 22-year-old Kent man was arrested on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 by Valley SWAT officers following a months-long investigation into what authorities are calling one of the most severe domestic violence cases they have seen.
The investigation began March 9, when Kent Patrol Officer Litke responded to a 911 call from a 19-year-old woman reporting that her boyfriend had damaged over $2,000 worth of her belongings in their shared apartment on 88th Avenue South. The suspect fled before officers arrived.
Ten days later, the woman called police again with a chilling report: the suspect had allegedly attempted to start a fire inside their apartment while she hid in a closet on the balcony. According to the victim, the man turned on all the stove burners, placed flammable items on them, and fled the scene. She was able to extinguish the fire before it spread.
Detective James, who took over the case, uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse during a detailed interview with the victim. The woman described ongoing physical violence and strangulations over the course of their two-year relationship—some of which occurred while she was pregnant with their now 7-month-old child.
“This case underscores the devastating impact of domestic violence and highlights the importance of thorough investigations and multi-agency cooperation in bringing offenders to justice,” Kent Investigations Commander C. Mills said. “The Kent Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to protect survivors, ensure they are heard, and hold perpetrators accountable. Domestic violence is a crime that thrives in silence, and law enforcement stands with victims to break that silence and seek justice.”
The case was described by a King County prosecutor as one of the worst instances of domestic violence in recent memory.
With assistance from the Special Investigations Unit, the Renton and Lacey Police Departments, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Narcotics Taskforce, the Washington State Department of Corrections, and Valley SWAT, the suspect was located and taken into custody without incident. He was booked into King County Jail on multiple charges, including:
- Arson in the first degree
- Two counts of second-degree assault
- Four counts of third-degree assault
- Four counts of fourth-degree assault
The Kent Police Department credited advocacy partner Project Be Free for ongoing support to victims of violence and reminded the community that resources are available for those in danger.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call 988 anytime or visit https://dawnrising.org for local resources. In an emergency, call 911.
