Death by Cop 2026
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Leon Alex Davis
Age : 27
Gender : Male
Race : Black
Date : 03/14/2026
Location : St. Francis Hospital, 34515 9th Ave. S.
City : Federal Way
County : King
State : Washington
Agency : Federal Way Police Department
Officer(s) :Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Medical emergency
Event : Died while being restrained by police in hospital
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 03/14/2026, Leon Alex Davis voluntarily admitted himself to St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way for treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Two days into his hospitalization, he became increasingly agitated. Hospital staff called 911, reporting a disorderly patient. According to investigators, hospital security personnel were already physically restraining Davis when Federal Way police officers arrived.
Seven Federal Way police officers and one supervisor responded. Officers joined hospital security in restraining Davis in a prone (face-down) position. According to reporting by The Seattle Times, Davis remained pinned to the floor for at least 25 minutes while physicians and nurses were present. During the restraint, Davis experienced a medical emergency and went into cardiac arrest. Hospital staff immediately began treatment, but he died at the hospital.
The King County Medical Examiner determined Davis died from cardiac arrest caused by prolonged restraint in a prone position in the setting of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, with obesity and chronic alcohol use listed as contributing factors. The Medical Examiner ruled the manner of death Homicide, meaning the death resulted from the actions of another person; the ruling is not, by itself, a criminal determination. The autopsy also documented blunt-force injuries to Davis's head, face, neck, and wrists.
The Valley Independent Investigative Team (VIIT), led by the Port of Seattle Police Department, is conducting the independent investigation. Federal Way police officers were removed from the investigation, and all seven officers and the responding supervisor were placed on administrative leave following the incident. The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office will determine whether criminal charges are warranted after the investigation is complete.
The case received renewed public attention after The Seattle Times published an investigative report describing the restraint and the presence of hospital personnel during the incident.
On 03/14/2026, Leon Alex Davis voluntarily admitted himself to St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way for treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Two days into his hospitalization, he became increasingly agitated. Hospital staff called 911, reporting a disorderly patient. According to investigators, hospital security personnel were already physically restraining Davis when Federal Way police officers arrived.
Seven Federal Way police officers and one supervisor responded. Officers joined hospital security in restraining Davis in a prone (face-down) position. According to reporting by The Seattle Times, Davis remained pinned to the floor for at least 25 minutes while physicians and nurses were present. During the restraint, Davis experienced a medical emergency and went into cardiac arrest. Hospital staff immediately began treatment, but he died at the hospital.
The King County Medical Examiner determined Davis died from cardiac arrest caused by prolonged restraint in a prone position in the setting of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, with obesity and chronic alcohol use listed as contributing factors. The Medical Examiner ruled the manner of death Homicide, meaning the death resulted from the actions of another person; the ruling is not, by itself, a criminal determination. The autopsy also documented blunt-force injuries to Davis's head, face, neck, and wrists.
The Valley Independent Investigative Team (VIIT), led by the Port of Seattle Police Department, is conducting the independent investigation. Federal Way police officers were removed from the investigation, and all seven officers and the responding supervisor were placed on administrative leave following the incident. The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office will determine whether criminal charges are warranted after the investigation is complete.
The case received renewed public attention after The Seattle Times published an investigative report describing the restraint and the presence of hospital personnel during the incident.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/man-pinned-by-police-at-wa-hospital-died-as-doctor-nurses-watched/
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/man-dies-custody-federal-way-police-ruled-homicide/281-c874b76b-9233-4e5d-83c3-dcd88ffb0e77
https://komonews.com/news/local/death-of-man-under-federal-way-police-custody-ruled-homicide-prolonged-restraint-prone-position-hospital-alcohol-legal-medical-emergency-washington-investigation
https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WAKING/2026/06/26/file_attachments/3696732/Decedents%20List_06262026.pdf