LACEY, Wash. - A man who reportedly had asked a 911 dispatcher for a cop to kill him was later shot and killed by a Washington State Patrol trooper after threatening him with a knife during a traffic stop near Lacey Saturday, police said.

The shooting occurred on southbound Interstate 5 near Carpenter Road just before 6:15 a.m., Trooper Brooke Bova said.



The man reportedly called 911 and asked for "suicide by cop." He told the dispatcher that he was distraught and had a knife.

He also said he would attack any police officer who pulled him over and indicated that he was driving unsafely and at a high rate of speed.

At that time, the man was near state Route 167 in King County, Bova said.

Troopers spotted the man driving a Black Dodge Charger on I-5 near Joint Base Lewis McChord and followed him for about 17 miles before pulling him over just outside Lacey.



Troopers shot the man after he exited his vehicle and threatened them with a knife, Bova said.

Paramedics tried to revive the man but failed. He died on scene. It is unclear if alcohol or drugs were involved.



The incident and ensuing hours-long investigation forced the closure of multiple lanes and created a massive traffic backup that lasted for eight hours and stretched for at least seven miles.

By late afternoon, traffic had finally cleared.

Witness told KOMO News that as the incident unfolded, they saw at least 14 Washington State Patrol vehicles rush the scene.

The trooper involved in the shooting is an 18-year veteran with Washington State Patrol and has been placed on paid administrative leave.



Thurston County officials and the Olympia Police Department are investigating.







