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Trans-identifying socialist in Seattle fires at 3 deputies, leaving 1 in critical condition, before turning gun on himself: Report
Screenshot of FOX 13 Seattle video

Trans-identifying socialist in Seattle fires at 3 deputies, leaving 1 in critical condition, before turning gun on himself: Report

A male member of the Seattle Democratic Socialists of America who claimed to be female reportedly shot at three sheriff's deputies before eventually turning the gun on himself.

On Monday morning, three deputies with the King County Sheriff's Department — David Easterly, Benjamin Miller, and Benjamin Wheeler — went to an apartment in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, to serve a final eviction notice to the resident living there: a 29-year-old man formerly known as Nathan Stolsig but who went by the name Eucytus after he decided that he was actually a woman.

The deputies spoke briefly with Eucytus when the situation suddenly turned violent. According to reports, gunfire erupted, but which party shot first remains undetermined. All three deputies "probably returned fire," the police report said.

Though all three detectives had been wearing ballistic vests, Detective Easterly, a 25-year veteran of the force, suffered a single gunshot wound to his upper torso. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center where he underwent surgery. As of Wednesday, Easterly was said to be in critical but stable condition.

"Yesterday, when he was being brought into the hospital, we were told by other deputies that he was actually in pretty good spirits because he’s a fairly happy guy," said Meeghan Black of the Independent Force Investigation Team King County.

Black also added that the bullet "missed" Easterly's protective gear and made an entry and exit wound.

While medical personnel attended to Easterly, the suspect barricade himself inside his residence. When authorities eventually managed to enter the apartment, they discovered Eucytus dead. A preliminary report from the medical examiner stated that he had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Eucytus' comrades in the DSA issued a statement following his passing:

Although we do not know the exact circumstances of Eucy’s death, it is indisputable that the inherently violent and traumatic process of deputies forcibly evicting a person from their home was a key factor. We deeply regret that this eviction ended with gunfire, injury, and death, regardless of who initiated it. DSA supports peaceful, mass resistance against evictions.

Unfortunately, this tragic outcome underscores the violent character of our capitalist housing system, which prioritizes the profits of landlords over the human right to housing. According to her friends, Eucy was unemployed following a workplace injury and was unable to pay rent.

Evictions inevitably lead to desperation and homelessness, disruptions to our education system, and the breaking apart of families and communities. Numerous studies indicate that housing instability and evictions lead to dramatically worse outcomes in education, mental and physical health, incarceration rates, and economic well-being. Seattle DSA condemns this systemic violence.

Easterly, Miller, and Wheeler have all been placed on administrative leave while an investigation into the incident continues.

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