Three teen suspects were charged Wednesday in connection to the death of Kent police officer Diego Moreno. The 16-year-old driver of the pickup truck fleeing police was charged with murder.
King County prosecutors charged Emiliano Garcia, 16, of murder in the second degree. Garcia has been charged as an adult.
"The defendant's reckless actions and willful disregard for the safety of others, including his own friends, innocent bystanders and police officers, directly caused the death of one officer and significant injury to another," said Jessica Berline, senior deputy prosecuting attorney for King County.
The two juvenile passengers, both 17 years old, have been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. One is also charged with possession of controlled substances.
Officer Moreno was accidentally struck by a patrol car in pursuit of the suspects early Sunday morning. Moreno was laying spike strips to stop the suspect truck when he was hit.
The spike strips flattened the tires on the suspect vehicle, a red Dodge Dakota. The truck crashed and rolled over. Three suspects fled on foot, and officers used a canine to track the suspects. Two suspects – the driver and the passenger – escaped until Monday.
Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said the officers were responding to a report of shots fired, and the fatal crash was the result of the suspects’ criminal activity.
“Law enforcement isn’t cut and dry,” Padilla said. “Good people doing their absolute best to serve your community sometimes fall upon tragedy. Split second decisions are made. Life is in the balance.”
A second Kent police officer, an 18-year veteran of the force, was injured in a collision immediately after the crash that killed Moreno. He is in satisfactory condition at Harborview Medical Center, and his identity has not been released.
Kent Mayor Dana Ralph spoke at a press conference Monday to share personal anecdotes about fallen Officer Moreno:
“He was the full package,” said Des Moines Police Chief Ken Thomas, who previously headed up the Kent department. “An absolutely top-notch police officer, who would not only work to go out and arrest suspects, but work with the community as well.”
Kent Police will conduct a review of the incident at an “appropriate time,” according to Padilla.
Moreno was an eight-year veteran of the Kent Police Department. He is survived by his wife and two young children. A vigil was held for Moreno at the Kent Town Square Plaza Wednesday night.
A GoFundMe account was established for Moreno's wife and two children. Kent Police say donations to the family can also be made at any U.S. Bank location.
