PARKLAND, Wash. — An attempted car break-in turned into a shootout in Parkland on Thursday night. The suspect, who was wearing a clown mask at the time, is still on the run.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, the victim, a 35-year-old man, called 911 saying he had caught the suspect breaking into his car and was holding him at gunpoint. Both men ended up shooting at each other and the victim was hit. It is unsure whether the suspect was hit because there are no reports of anyone with gunshot wounds at local hospitals.
“Twenty seconds into the phone call the caller said she could hear shots being fired outside," said Pierce County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Darren Moss.
The suspect escaped, leaving behind a white Hyundai sedan, which records say was stolen from the Seattle area. The clown mask was found in the street, along with several guns which were found under a wheelbarrow in the backyard of a home in the 14500 block of 4th Ave. E.
When police arrived at 10:34 p.m., the victim was found on the ground with several gunshot wounds next to the car that was parked in the roadway. He was later transported to St. Joseph Medical Center. His condition is unknown.
“The best thing you can do to keep yourself safe is to stay inside and call 911 and let us put ourselves in that danger so you can stay inside and protect your family,” Moss said.
Officials believe the suspect was picked up by someone else in another vehicle and that three teenage suspects are involved.
“There is no remorse, there’s no empathy or anything from any of these suspects we’ve been seeing or dealing with and a lot of them are young kids,” Moss said.
The search includes the King County Sheriff’s Department’s helicopter, a K9 team, Pierce County deputies and Guardian 1.
Officials are asking anyone with information to submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at the P3 Tips app, tpcrimestoppers.com or 1-800-222-TIPS.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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