Summary

King County Executive Dow Constantine has ordered an inquest into the fatal shooting of Tyrone Bandy by King County Sheriff's deputies.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine has ordered an inquest into the fatal shooting of Tyrone Bandy by King County Sheriff’s deputies on August 10, 2014.

According to the police investigation, deputies were met with gunfire after responding to a call from a woman inside Bandy’s home in the 1200 block of SW 160th Street in Burien. Police say deputies returned fire, and the 45-year old man was fatally shot in the exchange.

The King County Prosecutor’s office recommended the inquest after reviewing materials from the King County Sheriff’s office, which conducted the investigation.

Inquests are fact-finding hearings conducted before a six-member jury. Under a standing Executive Order, inquests are convened to determine the causes and circumstances of any death involving a member of any law enforcement agency within King County while in the performance of his or her duties.
Inquests provide transparency into law enforcement actions so the public may have all the facts established in a court of law. The ordering of an inquest should carry no other implication. Inquest jurors answer a series of interrogatories to determine the significant factual issues involved in the case, and it is not their purpose to determine whether any person or agency is civilly or criminally liable.

The order signed by the Executive requests King County District Court Presiding Judge Corinna Harn to assign a judge to set a date and conduct the inquest.

The ordering of inquests is a function vested in the county executive under the King County Code.