An Auburn police officer was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation after a physical altercation with a man in the middle of Auburn Way North, FOX 13 Seattle reported. The incident, captured on viral video, stemmed from a response to a man running through traffic and attempting to open car doors.
Traffic Interruption and Taser Deployment on Auburn Way North
The incident began at approximately 3:15 p.m. on October 28, 2026. According to the Auburn Police Department, officers responded to reports of a man running in and out of traffic and attempting to enter passing vehicles on Auburn Way North. The first officer on the scene attempted to gain compliance using a taser. When the device failed to stop the man, a physical altercation ensued. Police stated that it ultimately required four officers to restrain the individual, who continued to scream and resist.
Publicly released department footage, including dashcam, traffic cameras, and body-worn camera recordings, documents the confrontation. In the body-worn camera footage, the man can be heard yelling while beneath an officer, who tells the man to stop grabbing his gear. A bystander is heard on the recording shouting, “Hey, he’s on drugs!”
Conflicting Accounts of Force and Injuries
Eyewitness and bystander perspectives diverge sharply from the official police narrative. Resident Jesse Wolf observed the altercation firsthand and recorded the aftermath. Wolf stated that the responding officer straddled the shirtless man in the roadway and struck him repeatedly in the face, causing his head to bounce off the concrete. Wolf described the man as unarmed, visibly confused, and expressing remorse during the struggle, noting that the suspect was crying out and apologizing.
While police officials reported that the man suffered no serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, family members offered a contrasting account. The man’s family stated that he was experiencing a mental health crisis, was confused, had raised his hands while trying to reach his stepdaughter’s vehicle, and was left unconscious by the confrontation.
| Source / Perspective | Reported Action & Behavior | Observed Injuries & Medical Status |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn Police Department | Man ran through traffic, attempted to open car doors, and resisted arrest after taser deployment. Four officers required for restraint. | No serious injuries reported; transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. |
| Eyewitness (Jesse Wolf) | Officer struck the unarmed, shirtless man repeatedly in the face while on top of him. Man appeared confused and apologized. | Visible marks across face, back, and shoulders; head bounced off concrete. |
| Man’s Family | Man experienced a mental health crisis, was confused, and raised his hands attempting to reach a vehicle. | Left unconscious following the confrontation; struggled to walk and claimed his face was beat pretty bad. |
Arrest Charges and Subsequent Legal Status
Following his medical evaluation at the local hospital, the man was booked into jail on multiple charges. According to Auburn Police, he was cited for possession of a controlled substance, disorderly conduct, obstruction, and third-degree attempted assault. A family member confirmed that they bailed him out of jail on Thursday, noting that his face was beat pretty bad and he was struggling to walk.
The Auburn Police Department placed the involved officer on administrative leave while an internal investigation proceeds. City officials declined requests to elaborate beyond their initial written statements.
References
- FOX 13 Seattle: Auburn police officer placed on leave after viral video of physical altercation.
- Auburn Reporter: Auburn police officer placed on leave following abuse video (Oct. 29, 2026).
- Auburn Police Department: Public safety updates, body-worn camera footage, and incident press releases.
