Officials are investigating after a King County Sheriff’s SWAT member shot and killed a suspect near a freeway off-ramp in Federal Way on May 4.

Around 10:20 a.m. near the Federal Way library, a detective unit with the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) located a man who they had probable cause to arrest for felony assault with a firearm, according to the Valley Independent Investigative Team (VIIT).

Detectives and the county’s tactical team contacted the man in a vehicle and attempted to take him into custody, according to the release. The man fled the scene in a vehicle after officials say he struck occupied patrol vehicles.

Deputies pursued the man until stopping him near South 317th Street and 28th Avenue South, VIIT states.

According to VIIT: “The tactical team deputies again attempted to take the subject into custody when deputies encountered a lethal threat and responded with lethal force.”

Investigators did not provide clarification on what the “lethal threat” was.

The shooting occurred about 10 minutes later near the northbound Interstate 5 off-ramp to South 317th Street in Federal Way, according to Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall, who was appointed to the position on Tuesday.

Sheriff’s deputies were not injured, however, the suspect died at the scene, she said.

“We realize the impact this has on the community any time somebody loses their life,” Cole-Tindall said.

Auburn Police Department is the lead agency from the VIIT conducting the investigation into the fatal shooting, said Kolby Crossley, spokesperson for Auburn police.

VIIT is a multi-agency law enforcement oversight team tasked with investigating officer-involved incidents.

Washington State Patrol warned drivers to find alternate routes as the north and south off-ramps and nearby streets will be closed for an extended amount of time as officials investigate.

Law enforcement officials investigate the scene of a fatal shooting near a freeway ramp in Federal Way on May 4. Photo courtesy of South Sound News