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Dear Redmond Community,
I want to provide our community an update on the officer involved shooting that occurred on the evening of Sept. 20, 2020. The shooting resulted in the death of 39-year-old Andrea Churna. I begin this update by offering my condolences to Ms. Churna’s family.
I am committed to a thorough, comprehensive, and transparent review of this volatile incident to ensure tactics used and the officers’ actions were appropriate. The bottom line is, a life was lost, and the lives of the officers who responded are forever changed.
In accordance with Initiative No. 940, the King County Sheriff’s Office has been conducting an independent investigation of the actions of the officers and the events that lead to Ms. Churna’s death.
The case has been presented to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Once they determine the investigation is complete, I will receive a copy of the Sheriff’s Office investigation and we will begin an internal review of the officer’s actions and events that lead to the officer’s use-of-force. This internal review will focus on our response, tactics, and adherence to policy and procedures.
I will also have an external review of all findings from both the independent investigation and our internal review by a scientific institute that specializes in analyzing use-of-force and advising police agencies on deadly force incidents.
After the reviews are completed, we will know if any disciplinary actions, policy changes, additional training, or other actions are necessary.
It is the Prosecutor’s Office who will determine if any criminal charges will be filed against any of the officers involved. Based on what limited information I know now, I have no reason to believe this will happen. Therefore, the officers involved were returned to duty after a period of administrative leave which is protocol in these types of incidents.
My heart is with Ms. Churna’s family and loved ones, as well as my officers and dispatchers involved in this incident. It is a tragedy this incident had to end with a loss of life. I will continue to share updates with our community as more details become available.
Sincerely,
Chief Darrell Lowe
Contact the Redmond Police Department at police@redmond.gov or 425-556-2500.
Media Contact: Andrea Wolf-Buck, RPD Public Information Officer, awolf-buck@redmond.gov, 425-440-1316
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