King County Executive Dow Constantine ordered an inquest into the fatal shooting of Mi’Chance Deshon Dunlap-Gittens by King County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Jan. 27, 2017 at an apartment in Des Moines.
According to a preliminary investigation, Dunlap-Gittens was fatally shot by three deputies who were searching for the suspect of a fatal hit-and-run earlier that week. Deputies told investigators that Dunlap-Gittens was armed with a handgun when he was contacted near an apartment complex.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recommended the inquest after reviewing the preliminary 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 performing his or her duty.
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.
