The Latest: Man killed at immigration jail shot many times

By Associated Press 16 July 2019, 12:00AM

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The Latest on The Latest on the death of a man who threw incendiary devices at an immigration detention center in Washington state (all times local):

12:55 p.m.

Authorities say an armed man who threw incendiary devices at an immigration detention center in Washington state died of multiple gunshot wounds after four police officers opened fire.

The Pierce County medical examiner's office said Monday that 69-year-old Willem Van Spronsen of Vashon Island was killed Saturday morning outside the privately run Tacoma Northwest Detention Center.

The shooting happened hours after a protest outside the facility, which is used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to hold migrants pending deportation proceedings.

Police said Van Spronsen had a rifle, caused a vehicle to catch fire and attempted to ignite a large propane tank and set buildings on fire.

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3:15 a.m.

Demonstrators have returned to an immigration jail in Washington state a day after an armed man threw incendiary devices at the detention center and later died.

Willem Van Spronsen was found dead Saturday after four police officers arrived and opened fire.

KOMO-TV reports demonstrators returned Sunday to the privately run Tacoma Northwest Detention Center.

The facility holds migrants pending deportation proceedings. The detention center has also held immigration-seeking parents separated from their children under President Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" policy, an effort meant to deter illegal immigration.

The demonstrators are protesting the facility and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement roundups that are supposed to begin Sunday.

Van Spronsen's friend, Deb Bartley, told The Seattle Times she thinks he wanted to provoke a fatal conflict. She describes him as an anarchist.

By Associated Press 16 July 2019, 12:00AM

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