Families, Organizations Call Out Federal Way for Racial Bias and Police Brutality
Background
In the space of three months, Federal Way police brutalized two young black men who were seeking help. If these two men were white, would they have been killed and grievously injured?
On March 12, 27-year-old Leon Davis checked himself into a hospital in Federal Way for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Two days later, while confused and delirious, Davis said he was going to jump out of a window. Hospital staff called the Federal Way police, who put a spit hood on Davis, slammed his head into the ground, and restrained him face down on the ground, causing him to have a heart attack and die.
On June 24, 19-year-old Caution Mann called 911 for help with a mental health crisis—he was thinking of ending his life. When the Federal Way police arrived, Mann’s grandmother pleaded with them not to hurt him. Police shot Mann several times, and he remains in the hospital in critical condition.
Both of these young men were seeking help, yet, instead of receiving the help that they asked for, they were brutalized by Federal Way police.
Federal Way police have not released body cam footage for either of these acts of violence.
Now, we are calling on the Federal Way Police Department to release the body cam footage, and bring accountability to the officers involved in Leon Davis’ death and the shooting of Caution Mann.
We are also calling on the Washington state Attorney General’s Office to lead an inquiry into racial bias in the Federal Way police department.
Read more about Leon Davis’ murder:
Read more about Caution Mann’s assault:
The letter, in full
To:
Federal Way Chief of Police Andy Hwang
33325 8th Ave. S. Suite 101
Federal Way, WA 98003
officeofthechief@federalwaywa.gov
Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell
33325 8th Avenue S
Federal Way, WA 98003
Jim.Ferrell@federalwaywa.gov
CC:
Attorney General Nick Brown
Governor Bob Ferguson
Washington State House Speaker Laurie Jinkins
Washington State Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen
Washington State Legislative Black Caucus
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay
King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion
Dear Chief Hwang and Mayor Ferrell,
Within three months, two young Black men have been brutalized in the hands of Federal Way police while seeking help. We, the undersigned, call on the Federal Way Police Department to release the body camera footage and hold the police officers involved accountable to the fullest extent of the law, and for the Attorney General’s office to lead an inquiry into racial bias and brutality in the Federal Way Police Department.
Leon Davis’ March 2026 death in a Federal Way hospital was ruled a homicide by medical examiners, noting that he died from cardiac arrest brought on by prolonged restraint by your officers. Davis, who was 27, had admitted himself to the hospital for alcohol withdrawal syndrome and, according to the Seattle Times, he said that he would jump from a window.
The dangers of spit hoods and positional asphyxia from prone restraint, both of which were used on Davis, is well known. In the Washington Attorney General’s Model Use of Force Policy, it is recommended to restrict use of a spit hood on a person experiencing a mental health crisis. According to the Seattle Times, “In Washington, the Criminal Justice Training Commission, which oversees the police academy and training requirements for law enforcement officers, ‘teaches that the prone position may be used temporarily to control a person who is actively resisting, assaultive or presenting an immediate threat,’ said CJTC spokesperson David Quinlan….(and to) move a handcuffed individual off their stomach as soon as possible into a ‘safe position,’ on their left side or sitting up.” This protocol was not followed, resulting in the death of Leon Davis.
Just three months later, on June 24, a young man called 911 seeking help with a mental health crisis. Caution Mann, 19, was shot by your police after his grandmother pleaded with them not to hurt her grandson. He is currently in intensive care in critical condition.
Until the killing of a black mother’s son is as important as the killing of a white mother’s son, justice will not be served.*
These acts of violence are unacceptable. It is time for accountability.
We call for the Federal Way Police Department to:
Release body camera footage of these acts of violence. Though the Valley Independent Investigation Team has stated publicly that it is not “protocol” to release video of in-custody deaths until a decision regarding filing criminal charges has been made, per existing state law WAC 139-12-030, the involved agency is permitted to release footage before the completion of an investigation.
Hold the police officers involved accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Suspend the officers involved until the investigations are completed.
We call on Attorney General Nick Brown to:
Lead an inquiry into racial bias and brutality in the Federal Way Police Department
We call on the Washington State Legislature to:
Create a statue to have a trained 911 civilian responder team for behavioral health crises, substance use issues, and social service needs, which often require specialized expertise.
Encourage use of less-lethal alternative weapons, such as a BolaWrap. Every opportunity to reduce the use of deadly force should be explored.
Create a state standard for body camera footage release time after police shootings. The Seattle Police Department’s policy is to release “video that provides a general overview of what occurred” and “photos of relevant evidence” within 72 hours of an “officer-involved shooting”, and we recommend this be a state standard for all law enforcement agencies. Note: Per existing state law WAC 139-12-030, the involved agency is permitted to release footage before the completion of an investigation.
Sincerely,
Families Impacted by Police Violence
Annalesa Thomas, Family of Leonard Thomas
Carrie Miles, Family of Derrick Clark
Cynthia Manycolors, Family of Bjorn Manycolors
Dawn Hegel, Family of Donald Hegel
Debbie Novak, Family of David Novak
Elaine Simons, Family of Jesse Sarey
Fred Thomas, Family of Leonard Thomas
Jim Leighty, Friend of Craig Johnson
Marilyn Covarrubias, Family of Daniel Covarrubias
Nickeia Hunter, Family of Carlos Hunter
Shelly Washington, Family of Kevin Peterson Jr.
Sonia Joseph, Family of Giovonn Joseph McDade
Tonya Isabell, Family of Charleena Lyles
Organizations
Washington Coalition for Police Accountability (WCPA)
A Philip Randolph institute Seattle Chapter
ACLU-WA
Citizen Nine26
Council on American Islamic Relations, Washington State Chapter (CAIR-WA)
Faith Action Network
Fuse WA
FW Black Collective
JEDIH Mindset
P4 (Persistent Proactive People for Progress)
People Power WA
Racial Justice and Police Misconduct Center
Riveters Collective
SCAR
Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (SAARPR)
Seattle Community Police Commission - CPC
UNIDOS
Vashon-Maury Showing Up for Racial Justice
Washington for Peace and Justice
Washington State Budget and Policy Center
Individuals
Anne Hundley
April Ulinski
Audrey Patton
Jen Greenstein
Julia Buck
Katharine Congelli
Kevin MossBork
Laila Saliba
Lou Bridges
Marcela Soto Ramirez
Meredith Ruff, J.D.
Nadine He
Peter Condit
Rae Lee
Sonya Herrera-Perez
Todd H
Tristin Huntamer
Vanessa Skantze
*NOTE: This is a paraphrasing of Ella Baker’s 1964 quote: “Until the killing of Black men, Black mothers’ sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother’s son—we who believe in freedom cannot rest until this happens.”
