A 38-year-old man who was killed in a shooting involving Pierce County deputies following a pursuit has been identified, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office.
Dante Cudini died from multiple gunshot wounds on July 15 near 70th Avenue East and 260th Street East in Elk Plain. His manner of death was listed as a homicide, the medical examiner said in a news release.
The incident began sometime before 3 p.m. when deputies attempted to contact Cudini in the 25200 of Mountain Highway East because he was a criminal suspect, The News Tribune previously reported.
Deputies attempted to use tire-puncturing stop sticks on Cudini's vehicle, but it drove off, the story said. Deputies reported shots were fired at 2:53 p.m. Cudini's vehicle allegedly hit a deputy, who sustained minor injuries.
A pursuit began, which soon headed east on 260th Street and then to 70th Avenue East where it stopped. Cudini ran into a nearby house, and deputies reported shots were fired at 2:57 p.m. Cudini was declared deceased after live-saving measures were attempted, the story said.
The involved Pierce County deputies were placed on administrative leave in accordance with departmental policies.
The Pierce County Force Investigation Team is investigating. Pierce County Sheriff's Department spokesman Sgt. Darren Moss said Cudini had a criminal history but could not confirm what crime Cudini was accused of when deputies first attempted to contact him.
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