Authorities have not yet determined whether the victim died from gunfire or another cause.
KENT, Wash. — Police are investigating the death of a young girl who was found unconscious outside an apartment complex early Wednesday after a 911 caller reported hearing gunfire in a residential neighborhood. Emergency responders attempted lifesaving measures, but the victim died at the scene.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine how the girl died and whether the reported gunfire was connected to her death. Detectives are reviewing witness statements, security footage and physical evidence collected near the scene while the King County Medical Examiner’s Office conducts an examination. Officials have not released the victim’s identity, pending family notification, and no arrests had been announced as of Thursday.
Officers were dispatched at about 4:20 a.m. Wednesday to the 400 block of Alder Lane after a caller reported hearing shots fired near the intersection of Alder Lane and Maple Lane South. When officers arrived, they found the young victim outside with visible injuries to her head and face. Police and emergency medical personnel immediately began lifesaving efforts, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said investigators and medical examiners were working together to establish exactly how the girl died. Authorities said they believed the victim may have been younger than 18, although her exact age had not been confirmed. Police secured the area for several hours while detectives documented the scene and searched for evidence that could clarify the events leading up to the death.
Investigators have released few details about what occurred before officers arrived. Police have not confirmed whether the victim was struck by gunfire, suffered fatal blunt-force injuries or died from another cause. Authorities also have not disclosed whether a firearm was recovered or whether shell casings were located near the scene. Detectives spent much of Wednesday gathering information from nearby homes and apartment buildings and seeking surveillance footage that may have captured activity in the area before and after the reported gunfire. Officials have not identified any suspects and have not announced whether they believe multiple people were involved. Witness interviews continued throughout the day as investigators attempted to reconstruct the timeline of events. Police described the death as suspicious and said all available evidence would be examined before determining what criminal charges, if any, might follow.
The case has drawn attention across Kent’s East Hill neighborhood, a largely residential area that includes apartment complexes, single-family homes and local roadways. Residents said they were awakened by police activity before dawn and later learned that a young person had died nearby. Such incidents often require investigators to coordinate with forensic specialists, medical examiners and prosecutors before determining whether a death should be classified as a homicide. In this case, authorities have emphasized that the cause and manner of death remain undetermined. Until the medical examiner completes an official ruling, investigators cannot conclusively state whether the reported gunfire directly caused the girl’s death. The uncertainty has left many questions unanswered, including who was present at the scene, what events led to the emergency call and whether the victim knew any individuals who may have been involved.
Several neighbors reported hearing or seeing activity before police arrived. Avrey Tuttle, who lives nearby, said she reviewed footage from her home security cameras after hearing what sounded like multiple gunshots. Tuttle said she observed a group of young people in the area before a vehicle arrived and later heard several loud popping sounds. She said the vehicle then sped away. Another resident reported hearing shouting and signs of a disturbance shortly before emergency crews responded. Police have not publicly verified those accounts but said witness information could prove important as the investigation continues. A teenager who identified herself as a friend of the victim told local reporters that the death had devastated people who knew her. The teen described the victim as caring and well-liked. Authorities cautioned, however, that many details circulating within the community have not yet been confirmed through official investigative findings.
The next major development is expected to come from the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, which will determine the official cause and manner of death and formally identify the victim after relatives are notified. Detectives will continue reviewing evidence, analyzing video recordings and conducting interviews. As of Thursday, no suspect description had been released and no arrests had been made. The investigation remains ongoing pending additional forensic findings and medical examiner results.
Author note: Last updated June 4, 2026.