Seattle Police Officers Used Improper Force with Blast Balls during Protests, Injuring 3

KIRO-7 News reports: SEATTLE — In its latest release of protest investigation results, the Seattle Office of Police Accountability found that Seattle officers using blast balls in three incidents where people were hurt had used improper use of force.

The investigations stemmed from numerous complaints reported about Seattle officers during ongoing demonstrations in Seattle after George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis Police Officer.

In three cases, OPA found Seattle police officers threw tear gas canisters or blast balls without being fully aware of their surroundings. Some blast balls hit and injured innocent people who were not damaging property or being a safety risk to others.

This is just one more example of why Washington State HB 1054 must become law.