TACOMA — A man killed in a shootout with Tacoma police officers Friday night has been identified as 42-year-old Robert David O’Connell.
His father Ron Besel told the Seattle Times on Saturday that O’Connell had bipolar disorder but had not been taking his medication. The father said he became worried in recent days when he couldn’t reach his son.
O’Connell was a veteran ironworker who worked on the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
Tacoma police said two officers on patrol saw a man acting suspiciously at a gas station Friday night and stopped to contact him. Police said he pulled out a gun and fired three shots at the two officers.
Spokesman Mark Fulghum said one shot narrowly missed the officers and struck the front of their patrol car. The officers are on paid administrative leave, which is standard police procedure.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.