WASHINGTON STATE (4 JUNE 2021) Read the full article ‘They should be alive:’ Families, advocates honor Washingtonians killed by police
The family and friends of Jesse Sarey say they are anxiously awaiting an outcome in the case against Auburn police officer Jeffrey Nelson, who is charged with second degree murder and first degree assault in the killing of Sarey in 2019.
Sarey’s loved ones are advocating for systemic changes to policing and keeping memories of Sarey — and other Washingtonians killed by law enforcement — alive.
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Nelson shot and killed Sarey on May 31, 2019 while responding to a series of 911 calls about a man behaving erratically on the premises of several Auburn businesses. Within 67 seconds of attempting to arrest Sarey for disorderly conduct, Nelson shot Sarey twice: Once in the abdomen and once in the forehead. Nelson had not waited for backup to arrive before attempting to make the arrest, and he did not administer medical aid to Sarey following the shooting, according to court documents.
Sarey was the third person to be killed by Nelson since he joined the Auburn Police Department in 2008. Last week, three other police officers in Tacoma were charged with murder and manslaughter for the March 2020 killing of 33-year-old Manuel Ellis.
