Families and community members press Poulsbo leaders after officer‑involved shooting; council shows bodycam footage

Family members of Justin Mogeling and dozens of residents told the Poulsbo City Council on May 14 that they are grieving and demanded answers after a May 7 officer‑involved shooting that left Mogeling dead.

Megan Zizek, who identified herself as Mogeling’s sister‑in‑law, described watching the body‑camera footage with investigators and at home. “They immediately broke out his back window of his vehicle and shot pepper balls into the vehicle, likely blinding him,” she said, adding that officers used tasers and that her brother was later “shot dead in the head multiple times.” She said Mogeling had bipolar illness and questioned why officers did not handcuff him when he was incapacitated.

Other speakers, including Suquamish tribal member and Criminal Justice Training Commissioner Trishonda Picker, urged more training and an accountable process. Picker, who said she helped draft legislation creating the independent investigations office, told the council the training manual she referenced places “preservation of life” and “reducing the use of force” first.

Councilmember Doug Taber read a statement offering condolences and said a “full and independent investigation” would proceed. Taber told the family, “We are fully committed to transparency and accountability,” and the council noted that the state Office of Independent Investigations (OII) is leading the formal review.

Several residents criticized the decision to show a portion of the body‑camera footage at the meeting as too traumatic for viewers. Sarah Van Gelder, a longtime resident, said she appreciated the need for transparency but asked why the most violent minutes of video were shown before investigation conclusions. “Why did you do that if you didn’t want us to already have a conclusion in mind?” she said.

City Administrator Gelder warned the public before the screening that the footage was graphic. Councilmembers who supported showing the video said they sought to balance transparency with due process. “If we hadn’t shown the video, we would have been accused of covering up,” Councilmember Gary McVeigh said.

The council repeatedly urged the public to direct procedural inquiries to the OII while the investigation runs its course. Taber and other members said they will continue to monitor the situation and requested staff coordinate communications as allowed by law.