A Native American man attending a crowded July 3rd event in Poulsbo, Washington was shot by a police officer and died on the scene. The shooting happened in the center of the crowded event at the small waterfront park, on a small grassy section in between the live music stage and the food court.
Police say the man had been threatening people, and may have been armed with a screwdriver. Other than the victim, no one, including officers or bystanders, were reported as injured. Some in his family and in the community are asking why police would fire shots in a crowded park rather than using less deadly methods for protecting attendees.
“Even if he was lunging at someone with a screwdriver, they do not deserve to be shot, that’s why there’s tasers, that’s why there’s bean bags,” said Trishanda Pickup, the mother of four of Chiefstick’s children in an interview with KOMO News.
Poulsbo is a waterfront town of about 10k residents, with a juxtaposition of cultures. Named by Scandinavian settlers, it claims proud Viking/Norwegian heritage. Just southeast of city limits is the Suquamish reservation, and just southwest is the Navy base for the US Pacific Trident fleet.
White Nationalists, including the nearby Northwest Front, tend to like Poulsbo for its Viking imagery, and there have been tensions in the past between them and the more diverse general population. On July 3rd, white nationalism won seemingly out. While many people, especially those with children fled the park in a panic, the police reassured everyone the park was safe, and with Native American blood stains roped off, the show continued, including fireworks set to the tune of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”