According, to our news partners The Seattle Times a local man allegedly robbed a bank in Madison Park dressed as a woman on Thursday and was later fatally shot by a SPD detective.
The man was identified by police today as local sous chef Cody Spafford. According to court records, Spafford, who worked at well-known Ballard restaurant Walrus and the Carpenter, had no history of violent crime.
Spafford’s colleague, Chad Dale, wrote the following in an email to The Seattle Times this morning:
Cody was a beloved member of our family. He was hard-working, unassuming and kind. He was talented beyond his years, and was only beginning to explore the many opportunities before him.
He was a well-trusted employee and friend. We do not know the circumstances that led to this apparent act of desperation, but we know it was not him. His was a life taken tragically and far too soon. Our hearts are broken.
According to their Facebook page, The Walrus and the Carpenter will be closed tonight “so that we they may mourn the loss of a dear and beloved friend.”
The Seattle Times report that Spafford’s criminal record includes a conviction for felony possession of marijuana out of Sherman County, Oregon. He reportedly served part of his probation under Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) supervision after he moved here. Spafford also has convictions for misdemeanor theft, drug possession and failure to stop upon command of law enforcement charges in Utah.
According to SPD reports, a man wearing a skirt, heavy makeup and a brunette wig robbed the Wells Fargo branch in Madison Park (near East Madison Street and McGilvra Boulevard East) at approximately 9:15 a.m. on Thursday (See right SPD released image from a video surveillance camera). The alleged robber then left the scene in a silver Hyundai with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Two women, who were out for a walk, reportedly saw the silver Hyundai speed past them shortly after the robbery on McGilvra Blvd. The car then crashed and rolled over at 39th Ave E and E John St.
SPD reports that a man was then seen running from the vehicle, with a rolling suitcase dragging behind him. SPD officers later caught up with the man in the yard of a home in the 100 block of 39th Avenue East. The suspect was reportedly armed with a knife, refused to drop it and was then shot by a detective in the robbery unit.
SPD Assistant Chief Paul McDonagh identified Detective Jim Rogers as the officer who shot Spafford after he allegedly “charged” at him with a knife.
According to Jennifer Sullivan from The Seattle Times SPD report that the detective fired because the suspect “presented a threat.”
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office formally identified the body of Spafford at approximately 3 p.m. this afternoon. According to their report, Spafford died of multiple gunshot wounds and his death has been ruled a homicide. SPD officers say that he died at the scene.
Photos courtesy of The Seattle Times. Photo credit – Renee Erickson.