The 27-year-old Edmonds man who was shot by police Saturday after he allegedly leveled a rifle at officers has been released from the hospital and charged with assault.
Investigation spokesman Aaron Snell said Wednesday night that the suspect, Aaron K. Eckley, was released from Harborview Medical Center after receiving treatment for injuries sustained during last Saturday’s shooting in Edmonds. The incident began just before 7:30 a.m. when Edmonds police received citizen reports of a man walking along Puget Drive carrying a rifle. Two officers — a 15-year veteran sergeant and a 14-year corporal — contacted Eckley in the 1200 block of Puget Drive, where they told him to drop the weapon.
During the incident, Eckley “was verbally defiant when told to lower his weapon and at one point leveled it at officers,” Snell said. Eckley has been booked into the Snohomish County Jail on two counts of second-degree assault. Earlier reports said that Eckley had a history of mental illness.
The officers who shot Eckley have been on administrative leave during the investigation, which is continuing.
Thanks to the police department for their prompt action towards keeping our streets safe.