Families near Sandel Park in Greenwood watched armed bounty hunters fire paintballs at an RV, use Tasers on two people and shout threats on Aug. 26, near a children's play area.
The Seattle Police Department confirmed the arrest of a man with seven outstanding warrants following the confrontation near First Avenue Northwest and Northwest 90th Street, KIRO 7 reported. The man is being held at Pierce County Jail.
Neighbors said SPD identified the group as Washington Fugitive Investigators, a private bail recovery outfit. The company did not respond to KIRO 7's request for comment.
What neighbors saw
Rory, a Greenwood resident who declined to give his last name, was about to bring his two-month-old daughter outside when the operation began. He captured video of the scene and said he had no idea who the armed people were because they never identified themselves.
During an escape attempt, the RV skidded and struck a parked vehicle while paintballs were still being fired. A second suspect fled the RV and hid outside Allison Blevins' home before being zip-tied in her front yard.
Blevins said armed agents shouted threats within earshot of children.
"They were also standing here saying 'I'm going to shoot you. I'm going to shoot you.' I mean, there are kids' toys…like there are kids here," Blevins said.
She called for the agents to face reckless endangerment charges.
Experts question tactics and training
Jim Fuda, a representative for Crimestoppers of Puget Sound, reviewed video of the operation and said the conduct appeared inconsistent with standard law enforcement practices. He described the state's training requirements for bail recovery agents as "pretty minimal."
Washington state requires bail bond recovery agents to complete just 32 hours of pre-license training in field operations under WAC 308-19-305. The curriculum covers civil and criminal law, firearms, Taser use, baton and pepper spray, according to state licensing documents. Some of that coursework can be completed by self-study.
Former U.S. Marshal Denny Behrend said the incident highlights a lack of oversight for private agents making arrests in public spaces.
"Some other cowboys are out there right now thinking that they have the authority as bail recovery agents to do this kind of thing," Behrend said.
What's next
No charges against the bounty hunters have been announced. SPD has not released a public statement beyond confirming the arrest. Washington Fugitive Investigators' licensing status with the state Department of Licensing could not be independently confirmed.
