A US Coast Guard lieutenant was fatally shot in a Washington state residential neighborhood early Sunday, and authorities have opened a homicide investigation with no suspect yet in custody.
Lieutenant Connor Overstreet, 29, died just before 12:40 a.m. In Bryn Mawr-Skyway, Wash., roughly 10 miles south of downtown Seattle, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s office. First responders discovered the active-duty officer in the roadway and performed life-saving measures, but he succumbed to his injuries. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound to the chest, announcing the finding Tuesday.
No arrests have been made, and officials have not publicly named any suspect in the killing. The King County Sheriff’s Office established a tipline urging residents to submit surveillance footage facing the street between 12:30 a.m. And 1:15 a.m. Sunday. Additional details remain withheld due to the ongoing investigation.
Overstreet was stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Ventura in California at the time of his death. The Nevada native’s remains were flown back to the base Friday with full military honors.
“The Coast Guard is deeply saddened to confirm the death of LT Connor Overstreet, an active-duty member at Coast Guard Air Station Ventura, following an incident in the Seattle area,” the US Coast Guard Pacific Area said in a statement to KING 5. “We extend our deepest condolences to the member’s family, friends and shipmates during this tragic time.”
Overstreet’s wife, Madeleine, issued an emotional plea for justice on behalf of the family, describing her husband as her rock.
“Connor was my rock and I am so honored to be Connor’s wife forever and always. All Connor wanted to do was save lives by flying for the Coast Guard. His loss is a tragedy felt by countless people. He was truly the best of us,” she said in a statement to Fox 13 Seattle.
“We plead with you to help us find answers, justice and peace for Connor and all who loved him so deeply,” the grieving widow added.
The family has put forward an $11,000 reward to aid in solving the investigation. Overstreet’s father, Brennan, made a direct appeal to the public for information.
“I plead with the public to come forward with any information that may help bring justice for Connor,” he told Fox 13. “Nothing can bring our son back but we have increased the reward for information in hopes to bring us answers in this unimaginable tragedy.”
“Our family is devastated by the senseless loss of Connor. He brought joy, love, and kindness to all who knew him and the world is a darker place without him in it,” he said.