Crime

Man who died after throwing Molotov cocktail at deputies identified

Deputies were called to a home near Auburn about 1 p.m. Tuesday after reports that a man was throwing rocks at neighbors. He threw a Molotov cocktail at them and apparently later died in a shed fire.
Deputies were called to a home near Auburn about 1 p.m. Tuesday after reports that a man was throwing rocks at neighbors. He threw a Molotov cocktail at them and apparently later died in a shed fire. Courtesy

King County medical examiners have identified the man who died in a fire after throwing a Molotov cocktail at sheriff’s deputies Tuesday afternoon.

Richard Stokey, 41, died in the ensuing shed fire after throwing the incendiary device at deputies responding to complaints of him throwing rocks at neighbors’ belongings.

Deputies came to Stokey’s home in the 33100 block of East Lake Holm Drive Southeast to investigate the complaints, sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindi West said earlier this week.

Stokey responded by throwing the Molotov cocktail at the deputies, hitting one in the face. He then barricaded himself in the shed, which caught fire.

The deputy suffered minor burns to his face and neck, and his uniform caught fire, forcing him to stop, drop and roll.

Stokey died of smoke inhalation.

Kenny Ocker: 253-597-8627, @KennyOcker

This story was originally published August 4, 2017 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Man who died after throwing Molotov cocktail at deputies identified."

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