Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Friends Identify 22-Year-Old Man Killed by Shoreline Police

David Albrecht attended Shorewood, and Wednesday was his 22nd birthday, friends say. He also had assault convictions and a domestic violence protection order against him.

Friends of the man shot and killed by Wednesday identified him as David Albrecht, a former  student, whose 22nd birthday was today.

Rachel James, Albrecht's girlfriend, called police to his family's home after 1 p.m. to say her boyfriend was suicidal and had a knife.

When officers arrived at the home in the 700 block of 200th Ave. N., James came out of the house; she was bleeding after trying to wrestle the knife away from Albrecht.

Find out what's happening in Shoreline-Lake Forest Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Albrecht's father was still in the house, and officers thought it might be a possible hostage situation, King County Sheriff's Office spokesman John Urquhart said.

Soon after, Albrecht came out of the house with the knife and shotgun in what officers perceived was a “menacing manner,” Urquhart said.

Find out what's happening in Shoreline-Lake Forest Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Two officers fired their guns, hitting Albrecht. Officers tried to treat his wounds, but he died at the scene. It’s not known how many shots were fired, Urquhart said.

James was taken to Northwest Hospital to be treated, her brother, Joel James, said. Joel James lives at the house but was at work at the time.

Albrecht's mother and sisters arrived at the scene about an hour later and were crying and talking to police. 

Joel James and some of Albrecht's other friends had planned to celebrate Albrecht's birthday Wednesday night.

They felt police could have used other options rather than lethal force.

"I'm very upset about this," said Edgar Sanchez, a friend of Albrecht's. "Did they have to shoot him four times?"

Urquhart said he did not yet know how many times Albrecht had been shot.

Friends said Albrecht had recently been in alcohol rehabilitation but was released early a few days ago. They said he was trying to change his life around.

Police records, according to a Seattle P-I story, show Albrecht was convicted of felony assault and gross misdemeanor assault earlier this year.

 

Albrecht's parents, sisters and several friends gathered near Linden Avenue North and North 200th Street for several hours while 200th continued to be blocked off by police.

Both officers involved in the shooting are now on paid administrative leave per department policy as the investigation continues.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Shoreline-Lake Forest Park