A deputy with the Island County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed an armed man during a struggle on North Whidbey Sunday night, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The Island County coroner identified the man as Nicholas K. Perkins, a 37-year-old chief petty officer in the Navy. He had been in the Navy for about 18 years and was stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for the past year.
The shooting is being investigated by the Skagit Multiple Agency Response Team, which is composed of detectives from several Skagit County police agencies. The small Noble Place neighborhood off Jones Road was closed off late Sunday night and the next day as detectives set up canopies and interviewed neighbors.
According to a press release, deputies responded to a 911 call at 8:17 p.m. about a despondent man, later identified as Perkins, who was armed with gun at the residence. Perkins had texted a friend, “I’m done — Ready to die,” the 911 log states.
Four deputies and a lieutenant arrived at the home and saw Perkins on the second floor with a long gun in his hand. Perkins’ then tried to negotiate with him.
After a three-hour standoff, Perkins exited the house with the rifle. The friend tried to intervene and a struggle ensued as the friend and deputies tried to subdue Perkins.
Perkins fired multiple shots, striking his friend in the leg. A deputy shot Perkins and he died at the scene, the press release states.
The friend sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The base confirmed that he is also an active duty member of the Navy.
One deputy was treated and released with a minor hand injury.
Island County Sheriff Mark Brown said the deputies directly involved will be placed on temporary administrative assignment during the investigation.
“My concern is for the officers and their families,” Brown said. “We will provide them with the support they need.”
Both Brown and a spokeswoman for the Skagit Multiple Agency Response Team declined to name the officer who fatally shot Perkins.
