SEATTLE — The man whom police shot at in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood on Friday is the same convicted drug dealer who was shot by officers in the same area in 2020, KOMO News has confirmed.
This time, the shots missed Demarco Dejohn Black, 34, who was then arrested and booked into the King County Jail on suspicion of assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, and drug charges.
The shooting happened at 12:30 p.m. near the intersection of 3rd Ave and Battery Street when Seattle officers said they witnessed Black dealing drugs. Police tried to arrest Black, and he ran away, later pulling a handgun during the foot chase, according to police.
One officer opened fire on Black, but the shots did not hit him. Responding officers apprehended Black and recovered his handgun, police said.
RELATED | Police shoot at suspected drug dealer who pointed gun at officers in downtown Seattle
“It’s a very dangerous day,” Seattle police Chief Shon Barnes told the press after the shooting. “I am thankful no one was hurt in this incident and that the suspect was taken into custody, and we got one more firearm off the street.”
Black is well known to Seattle police and King County prosecutors, who previously said in court filings that he presents “an extreme risk of violent offenses.”
Police shot Black in 2020 while arresting him in the same area
Black is still under supervision by the Washington Department of Corrections for a 2020 conviction of assault from a case where he pointed a gun at police officers in Belltown during an arrest.
According to court records, Black was sitting in a car in the 200 block of Blanchard Street on January 22, 2020, when officers observed him dealing drugs. A Seattle police officer blocked Black’s car in its spot, and he approached the driver’s window along with King County Sheriff’s Office deputies on bikes who were working a narcotics emphasis patrol in the area.
When Black was told to get out of the car, he rammed the blocking Seattle police cruiser and pulled a gun and pointed it at the officers. Several officers fired at Black, but only one round hit him, injuring his left thumb.
VIDEO OF 2020 SHOOTING
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Black with two counts of assault in the second degree.
“The danger presented by the defendant can hardly be overstated, and it is incredibly fortunate that nobody was shot and killed,” Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Fyall wrote in charging documents.
He told investigators that when sheriff’s deputies tried to arrest him for selling drugs, he decided instead to drive away. He rammed a police SUV, and tried to push the SUV out of his path by continuing to accelerate. That was not working. At this point, officers and deputies were near his vehicle windows. However, he then pulled a gun and pointed it at officers, sending them scrambling for cover.
Court records say Black told police he bought the gun from someone whom he sold drugs to earlier that day, and he was keeping the gun in the driver’s door of his car.
RELATED | SPD: 4 officers open fire on drug suspect after he rams patrol car, shows gun
Black pleaded guilty to the charges in July 2020. In a sentencing recommendation, prosecutors asked for a sentence of seven years in prison.
“Black continues to accumulate convictions,” Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Brennan wrote in a sentencing recommendation. “These officers had a gun pointed at them and held by an individual who had already shown himself as someone willing to be aggressive to get away from law enforcement. They shot back after seeing the gun to save their lives. The defendant clearly has easy access to firearms, as he said he purchased this gun from a drug user that day.”
A King County judge followed the recommendation of prosecutors and imposed a prison term of seven years, a term which would have expired in 2027.
The Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) did not immediately respond to an inquiry from KOMO News asking when Black was released from prison.
Under supervision and under arrest
Court records show Black is still under supervision by the DOC. Seattle police arrested Black for drug charges in Belltown in March and April of this year.
Prosecutors charged Black with Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.
According to charging documents, police saw Black sell drugs to a man near 2nd Ave and Blanchard Street. Police recovered 3.6 grams of crack cocaine from Black when he was arrested.
At a first appearance hearing after his arrest, a judge released Black on his own recognizance despite objections from King County prosecutors.
KOMO News has asked what action, if any, parole officers took after Black’s two arrests this spring.
What’s next?
At a court hearing in the King County Jail, prosecutors asked for Black to be held on a bail of $300,000.
“Given his history and the allegations here of pointing a firearm directly at two officers, and that firearm was loaded when it was recovered, and there were two shots fired, gives the state serious concern for the safety of the community for a future violent act and following court orders moving forward – the state believes a bail of $300,000 is appropriate here,’ King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jillian Moody said in court.
A public defender asked for Black to be released on his own recognizance, adding that Black is a single father who is working to support a child and lives with family in Kent.
After hearing from both sides, Judge Brian Todd set bail at $300,000.
Court records show Black has convictions for felony charges including drug distribution, robbery, and attempted robbery.
Seattle police said they will be releasing video of Friday’s shooting within 72 hours, in accordance with department policy.
