May 15, 2020
PORT ORCHARD – A Kitsap County Jail inmate hospitalized after a physical altercation Saturday has died.
The Kitsap Critical Incident Response Team (KCIRT) learned of Sean Michael Howell’s death Friday. Howell, 28, was pronounced deceased today at 8:54 a.m.
Howell had been arrested by the Bremerton Police Department on Friday, May 8, 2020, and booked in Kitsap County Jail for First-Degree Murder. On Saturday, May 9, 2020, at around 10:30 a.m., Kitsap County Corrections Officers responded to an incident involving Howell, who was housed in a crisis cell attempting to tamper with the cell’s sprinkler system.
Corrections officers tried to stop Howell from damaging the sprinkler and move him to a different cell, but Howell became combative, leading to a physical altercation as corrections officers attempted to physically restrain Howell. The incident resulted in Howell and one corrections officer being transported to the hospital. The corrections officer was treated and released.
The incident remains under investigation and is being investigated by KCIRT, with the Washington State Patrol as the lead investigating agency. Additional details regarding the incident will be released as the investigation continues.
The Kitsap County Coroner’s Office is investigating the cause of Howell’s death. Any inquiries into the homicide case are to be directed to the Bremerton Police Department.
Our hearts go out to the families and all those affected by these series of tragic events.
###