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Justin L. Moegling

Gender : Male

Age : 41

Race : White

Date : 05/07/2025

Location : Viking Way at Nordic Cove Lane

City : Poulsbo

County : Kitsap

State : Washington

Agency : Poulsbo Police Department

Officer(s) :Nickolas Brown, Wyatt Galbreath

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during traffic stop

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On May 7, 2025, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Poulsbo Police and Kitsap County Sheriff’s deputies engaged in a confrontation with 41-year-old Justin L. Moegling in the area of Viking Way at Nordic Cove Lane, Poulsbo, Washington. Officers initiated contact after Moegling failed to yield during a traffic stop; the vehicle was followed into unincorporated Kitsap County. Upon stopping the vehicle, Moegling exited holding a knife and refused commands to drop it. Officers attempted de-escalation, including deployment of pepper spray and attempts to disable the vehicle, but ultimately confronted Moegling at close range. Poulsbo Officer Nickolas Brown and Deputy Wyatt Galbreath fired shots, striking Moegling in the head. Medical examiners determined his cause of death to be gunshot wounds to the head, and the death was ruled a homicide. The Office of Independent Investigations (OII) is conducting the use-of-force investigation, and the involved officers have been placed on leave. After public outcry and calls for accountability, law enforcement agencies released bodycam or scene video showing the moment the firearm was discharged. The victim’s family and local community have criticized police actions, citing mental health issues and demanding transparency. Moegling’s father testified that Justin suffered from bipolar disorder and had expressed concerns about his medications.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/suspect-killed-officer-involved-shooting-poulsbo-after-fleeing-traffic-stop-with-knife/FJJMAM4X6FAENGKB4P4ZZJQGEE/
https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/suspect-shot-killed-police-poulsbo
https://komonews.com/news/local/one-dead-in-officer-involved-shooting-in-poulsbo-kitsap-county-deadly-use-of-force-incident-on-viking-way-wa-department-of-independent-investigation
Video:
https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2025/05/14/law-enforcement-releases-video-from-officer-involved-shooting-on-may-7/83638091007/