A 35-year-old man a with a history of violent crime was killed by Kirkland police Oct. 15 after physically resisting arrest and taking one of the officer’s handguns following several failed carjacking attempts, according to information released by investigators.
The King County Investigative Response Team also revealed that Robert Burgess Jr was a convicted felon for kidnapping, possession of a firearm, assault and is from the Northshore area.
Police were initially called to the 11800 block of 115th Ave NE after Burgess walked up to a woman who was sitting in her car and tried to give her his 3-year-old son. The woman instead called 911 and followed Burgess as he walked away with the child. When police arrived to the scene they attempted to confront Burgess, who handed his son to one of the officers and then fled. It was then one of the officers reported seeing him with a gun in his hand.
Shortly afterward another 911 call reported a suspect with a gun, matching Burgess’ physical description, had attempted to carjack a delivery van near the 11500 block of NE 118th St. Officers contacted Burgess, who was still armed, just after the carjacking attempt and a physical fight ensued when the officers tried to apprehend him.
During the struggle, investigators state, Burgess was able to gain control of an officer’s handgun and raised it at the officers, at which point of the officers fired a shot, killing Burgess. Burgess’ gun was eventually recovered along with the officers.
Burgess was registered as a violent offender, with a registered address at an intersection on the Bothell and Kenmore boundary, though he was reportedly living out of motel rooms with his wife and son. He had a history of assaulting police, according to investigators, including an incident in January in Burlington when he fought officers and took one of their flashlights. During a previous incident in Seattle in July 2014, Burgess was arrested trying to prowl a car, was taken to the hospital after he became unresponsive, then assaulted an officer once he was released from his restraints.
Child Protective Services was notified by Kirkland Police regarding Burgess’ son.
