Charleena Lyles

The Washington Post's Fatal Force database records Charleena Lyles in a fatal on-duty police shooting on 2017-06-18 in Seattle, WA. Individual circumstances and legal outcome require case-specific review.

What happened

Charleena Lyles, a pregnant mother of four, was fatally shot by Seattle police Officers Jason Anderson and Steven McNew on June 18, 2017, after she called 911 to report a burglary at her apartment. Two of her young children were nearby. Officers had prior interactions with Lyles involving concerns about her mental health. Police said she suddenly threatened them with knives during the visit, and they fired multiple rounds, killing her. Her family disputed that deadly force was necessary and sued the city and officers, alleging negligence and other wrongdoing. In February 2021, the Washington Court of Appeals reversed the dismissal of significant civil claims, finding genuine factual disputes that needed further proceedings. The family and city ultimately settled the civil case for $3.5 million in November 2021. The legal record separates the officers' claimed immediate threat, disputed evidence of the confrontation, the appellate ruling, and the monetary settlement, which was not a criminal conviction.

Investigation & findings

Individual legal and investigative outcome not yet reviewed.

What happened

Investigation & findings

Sources & records