Early Saturday morning (Dec. 8) at around 1:30 a.m., Kent patrol units responded to a report of a man being shot in the area of 23829 30th Ave South (map below).

Police say that upon arrival, a 25-year old male victim was found shot and unresponsive. Officers initiated life-saving efforts until he could be transported by medics to Harborview Medical Center. The male later succumbed to his injuries. We are not releasing the victim’s identity at this time.

Early investigation indicates that there was a dispute between the victim and the suspect who has been identified as 20-year old Kent resident, Josue M. Rivera-Cruz. Rivera-Cruz is still at large, and investigators believe he may have ties to the South Seattle area.

Josue M. Rivera-Cruz. Date of birth: 07/09/1998

Preliminary reports indicate that this was not a random incident.

Rivera-Cruz should be considered armed and dangerous.

Kent Police are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to call 911, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or the Kent Police tip line 253-856-5808.

Scott Schaefer

Founder/Publisher/Editor. Three-time National Emmy Award winning Writer (“Bill Nye the Science Guy”), Director, Producer, Journalist and more...