Rape Warrant Suspect OPENS FIRE!

A wanted felon with a rape warrant allegedly opened fire on Seattle police in broad daylight—an ugly reminder of what happens when violent repeat offenders keep slipping through the cracks.

Story Snapshot

Seattle prosecutors say 62-year-old Christopher Michael Bowman fired first at officers during an arrest attempt in Ballard on Feb. 12, 2026.
An 18-year-old woman called 911 saying Bowman—described as her ex-husband—was following her and typically carried a pistol; she sought safety inside a QFC.
Police said they confirmed an extraditable Kansas warrant for rape and other violent crimes before confronting Bowman.
Three officers returned fire after Bowman allegedly shot at them; one female officer was injured by shrapnel during the exchange.

911 Call at a Grocery Store Triggered a High-Risk Arrest Attempt

Seattle police responded after an 18-year-old woman called 911 around 5:07 p.m., reporting that Christopher Michael Bowman was following her and was known to carry a handgun. She went into a QFC on 24th Avenue Northwest for safety while officers searched for him nearby. Police then checked records and found Bowman was wanted out of Kansas on an extraditable warrant tied to rape and other violent crimes, setting the stage for an urgent arrest effort.

Officers located Bowman around 5:45 p.m. near Northwest 62nd Street and 28th Avenue Northwest. Prosecutors allege an officer stepped out of a cruiser and ordered Bowman to take his hands out of his pockets. According to charging documents referenced by reporting, Bowman drew a gun and fired at the officer. Three Seattle officers returned fire, striking Bowman multiple times. A female officer suffered a knee injury from shrapnel during the shootout.

Charges Filed as Suspect Remains in Critical Condition at Harborview

Seattle City prosecutors filed felony assault charges—reported as first- and second-degree assault—after the Ballard shootout, and requested $3 million bail once Bowman is released from the hospital. Bowman remained in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center as of the latest updates, which can delay the pace of court proceedings. Police described the incident as active and fast-moving, with body-worn camera evidence cited as supporting the sequence that Bowman fired first.

The case also highlights a straightforward public-safety problem: when a suspect is flagged as armed and connected to violent allegations, everyday locations like grocery stores can become flashpoints in seconds. The facts available so far show officers responding to a distressed caller, confirming an out-of-state violent warrant, and then facing gunfire upon contact. The investigation is ongoing, and officials have not publicly released all underlying video evidence at this stage.

Independent Investigators Now Handle Officer-Involved Shooting Reviews

Washington’s current process routes officer-involved shooting investigations to the Independent Force Investigation Team (IFIT) of King County rather than leaving a department to investigate itself. IFIT confirmed it is reviewing the Ballard shooting, consistent with state law and Seattle’s post–consent decree environment. For residents, the shift is meant to boost transparency and credibility—especially in contentious cities where trust in law enforcement can be strained even when officers are clearly responding to violent threats.

What This Incident Signals About Crime, Accountability, and Public Order

Multiple reports emphasized Bowman’s lengthy criminal history and the existence of an extraditable Kansas warrant, raising obvious questions about how repeat offenders move across jurisdictions and stay on the street long enough to endanger a domestic victim and responding officers. The immediate consequence was an injured officer and a chaotic gunfight in a neighborhood shopping corridor. The broader consequence is political: communities that have demanded “reforms” still expect order, fast accountability, and consequences for violent criminals.

Ex-con charged in shootout with Seattle policehttps://t.co/CgQdHpYekl pic.twitter.com/Zf9OHjNxDK

— Emma Inn (@emma_inn28157) February 15, 2026

Seattle is also dealing with a wider pattern of shootings and high-profile violence, which keeps pressure on local leaders to prioritize policing, prosecution, and detention policies that prevent predictable repeat-offender scenarios. The Ballard incident does not provide proof of broader policy causation by itself, but it does offer a concrete, documented example of what officers and citizens face when an armed, wanted suspect meets a routine public call for help. The core facts now sit with prosecutors and IFIT as the case moves forward.