Police arrested a burglar on Wednesday after he accidentally shot himself in the head while fleeing the scene of a break-in in North Seattle.
A resident in the 8200 block of Mary Avenue Northwest heard sounds coming from his home just before 7 AM this morning and found a burglar had broken into his garage.
As the victim approached his garage, he saw the masked suspect, who turned and ran. The victim grabbed a broom and followed the suspect, who fled to a van in a nearby parking lot.
As the suspect was getting into the van, he pointed a gun at the victim and told him to get back. When he saw the gun, the victim turned around, and heard a gunshot moments later. The suspect in the van then sped away.
The victim returned home and called 911. Officers arrived on scene and began checking the area for evidence, and soon received a radio broadcast that a man had arrived at a First Hill hospital with a gunshot wound to his head.
Officers went to the hospital, found the injured man was wearing the same clothing as the suspect in the earlier burglary. Police believe the suspect accidentally fired his handgun while climbing into his van, striking himself in the head. Officers also learned the suspect’s van was reported stolen and had been used in another crime outside of Seattle. Additionally, the suspect is also a convicted felon, unable to legally possess firearms.
Once the suspect receives treatment for his injuries, police will book him into the King County Jail for burglary, unlawful possession of a firearm, felony harassment, and possession of a stolen vehicle.