The family of a U.S. Coast Guard officer killed in what investigators believe may have been a random shooting is now offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
Connor Scott Overstreet, 29, was shot and killed in the residential Bryn Mawr-Skyway area of Washington at about 12.40am on August 23, KING 5 News reports.
King County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived to find Overstreet with a gunshot wound to the chest. They attempted life-saving aid at the scene, but he died from his injuries.
Authorities are investigating Overstreet’s death as a homicide and are urging residents in the neighborhood to review dashcam and home surveillance footage. Investigators are especially interested in any images of vehicles or people recorded between 12.30am and 1.15am that morning.
As detectives continue searching for answers, Overstreet’s family has raised the reward for tips that could help identify his killer to $20,000, according to Fox 13.
He leaves behind his wife Madeline, who is begging for answers over her husband’s senseless death.
‘All Connor wanted to do was save lives by flying for the Coast Guard. His loss is a tragedy felt by countless people. He was truly the best of us,’ she told Fox 13.
‘Connor was my rock, and I am so honored to be Connor’s wife forever and always.
Connor Scott Overstreet, 29, was fatally shot in a residential neighborhood of Bryn Mawr-Skyway, Washington at around 12.40am on August 23
Overstreet was an active-duty lieutenant in the US Coast Guard. He is pictured with his wife, Madeline
‘We plead with you to help us find answers, justice and peace for Connor and all who loved him so deeply.’
‘I plead with the public to come forward with any information that may help bring justice for Connor,’ his devastated father, Brennan Overstreet, said in a statement.
‘Nothing can bring our son back, but we have increased the reward for information in hopes to bring us answers in this unimaginable tragedy,’ he said.
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‘Our family is devastated by the senseless loss of Connor,’ the grieving father continued. ‘He brought joy, love and kindness to all who knew him, and the world is a darker place without him in it.’
The family has now set up an online fundraiser to increase the reward for information even further.
As of Saturday night, it had raised over $57,000, with family members saying any remaining funds may be used to ‘lessen the immense burden that the Overstreet family has incurred during this tragedy’ and anything remaining would be donated to a charitable organization Overstreet would support.
‘Thank you to all who have offered to support the Overstreet family as we grapple with the unimaginable loss of Connor Scott Overstreet,’ the fundraiser reads.
‘The outpouring of love, support, outrage and offers to help have lifted our hearts in this dark time.’
Madeline called for justice for her ‘soulmate’ as police ask locals to check surveillance footage for any people or vehicles that were spotted in the area at the time of his death
Shea Overstreet, the victim’s sister, called him her ‘best friend’ in a post on social media.
‘Connor lived the fullest life and yet had so much more to live,’ she wrote on a page honoring the victim.
‘I’ll never recover and love you forever, Connor.’
As the family now continues to grieve, Overstreet’s remains were safely returned on Friday to Air Station Ventura with full honors.
‘The Coast Guard is deeply saddened to confirm the death of Lt Connor Overstreet, an active-duty member at Coast Guard Air Station Ventura, following an incident in the Seattle area,’ the US Coast Guard Pacific Area said in the aftermath.
‘We extend our deepest condolences to the member’s family, friends and shipmates during this tragic time.’
A memorial is scheduled for September 3.