On August 28, 1997, the life of William Francis Lowry, a 39-year-old Caucasian male and a dedicated officer with the Tacoma Police Department, was tragically cut short. The events leading to his death began in the early hours of the morning when Sap Kray, a Cambodian immigrant, went to Emerald Downs in Auburn to confront his estranged wife about alleged infidelity. Auburn police were called to the scene and found Kray to be agitated and in possession of a weapon.
Despite his threatening behavior, Kray was allowed to leave.
Later that day, Kray proceeded to his wife's home on East 57th Street in Tacoma. When his wife, Sameun, arrived and saw his van, she contacted the police. The Tacoma Police Department, including the SWAT team, responded to the residence around 6:30 a.m. It was reported that Kray was holding two children inside the house. Negotiations with Kray were underway, and at one point, it was believed he would surrender peacefully.
Around 10:00 a.m., Kray emerged onto the porch. As officers issued verbal commands, he was struck by two non-lethal rubber projectiles, causing him to stumble back toward the doorway. Kray then grabbed a 7.62 mm SKS rifle. As SWAT officers, including Officer Lowry, approached to take him into custody, Kray fired a single shot. The bullet struck Officer Lowry in the chest, exited his body, and hit another officer.
Officer Lowry was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries later that day. After a standoff that lasted several more hours, Sap Kray surrendered to the police. He had been shot by officers during the exchange and was left paralyzed from the waist down. Kray was subsequently arrested and charged with the aggravated first-degree murder of Officer William Lowry. On March 11, 1999, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
