Police ID robbery suspect killed by off-duty sheriff

The robbery suspect fatally shot by an off-duty King County sheriff near Pike Place Market on Friday night has been identified as Samuel Curry.

Curry, 21, died of gunshot wounds to the torso, according to the King County Medical Examiner.

The sheriff's sergeant who shot him has not been identified by Seattle Police Department, which is leading the investigation, or by the sheriff's office.

Around 9 p.m. Friday, a 38-year veteran of the sheriff's office, was walking on Western Avenue near Pike Place Market when he overheard what sounded like an armed robbery happening behind him, according to a spokesman for the Seattle Police Department.

The sergeant turned and saw Curry pointing a gun at another man. The sergeant identified himself and drew his service weapon, said Seattle police spokesman Jeff Kappel.

Curry began to turn toward the officer with the gun in his hand, Kappel said, and the officer fired the gun twice striking him in the torso.

Curry died shortly after he was taken to Harborview Medical Center with two gunshot wounds in his chest.

Seattle police, who have been asked by the sheriff's office to lead investigation of the case, said Curry's handgun, a revolver, was recovered at the scene.

The 61-year-old sergeant was uninjured. The intended robbery victim also was unharmed, police said.

The shooting was the third officer-involved shooting this month in Seattle.

Sharon Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com