Homicide and CSI detectives are currently investigating the events that preceded two officers firing their weapons at a wanted felony suspect earlier today.
Preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 1:41 p.m. two bicycle officers working the Bumbershoot event observed a male suspect exiting the broken window of a car he had just prowled in a parking lot to the west of the 100 block of Taylor Avenue North. Officers attempted to contact the suspect at which time he got into a white Dodge Durango. Once behind the wheel of the Dodge, the suspect’s driving behavior posed an imminent threat to one of the officers causing both officers to fire their Department-issued handguns. The suspect fled the scene at a high rate of speed uninjured but with a damaged vehicle.
The officers pursued the suspect on their bicycles. The suspect subsequently abandoned the Dodge in the alley east of the 2200 block of 7th Avenue and continued fleeing on foot. Responding officers converging on the suspect’s location apprehended him a couple blocks away from the abandoned Dodge without further incident.
The 36-year-old male suspect was placed under arrest and booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Assault (felony assault) and on an active felony warrant for malicious mischief.
The officers will be placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure in any officer involved shooting. A Firearms Review Board will be convened in the coming months to determine whether the shooting was within Department policy.
The suspect’s vehicle was impounded and will be processed for forensic evidence.
This remains an active and on-going investigation.