KENT, Wash. — A trooper attempting to pull over a person suspected of DUI was shot multiple times, according to the Washington State Patrol.
As of Saturday afternoon, Harborview told KING 5 the trooper is in serious condition in the ICU, but is expected to survive.
Washington State Patrol Public Information Officer Trooper Rick Johnson first posted about the shooting on X just before midnight Friday.
Johnson said the trooper attempted to make a traffic stop in Kent when the vehicle sped off. A pursuit began leading the suspect to crash into another vehicle near an apartment complex in the 1600 block of West James Place.
Johnson said the suspect fled the crash on foot, where he shot the trooper multiple times, hitting his leg. Other responding officers responding treated the trooper and continued the search for the suspect. The trooper did not return fire.
Kent Police said the suspect was taken into custody and so was a woman who police said was associated.
Kent Police took over the investigation due to WSP being involved. Kent Police and WSP held a press conference around 1:45 a.m. on Saturday morning to give further updates.
Kent Police said after the driver crashed into another car, the trooper started chasing the suspect on foot. That is when police said the suspect started shooting at the officer, hitting him multiple times.
"The trooper relays on the radio that he is in foot pursuit, the suspect fled from the vehicle, and shortly after that announced on the radio that he's been shot," said Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla.
Kent Police and WSP responded to the scene.
"The suspect was not on location at the time, and so we began lifesaving medical aid to the trooper and called in resources," said Padilla.
The trooper who has been with the department for 21 years and is a part of the WSP detachment in Enumclaw. He was taken to the hospital where he is expected to survive.
"He's in some very serious pain, but we're hopeful he'll make a full recovery," said Captain Ron Mead with Washington State Patrol.
The trooper was near Kent because he was on special assignment on Highway 167 to try to prevent gun violence. He was patrolling the area due to an increase in freeway shootings.
"The violence that we're seeing not only just on the freeway system, but just in general is alarming," said Captain Mead.
Kent Police said after authorities found the trooper on the grounds of the apartment complex, they used K-9’s and WSP Air Patrol to find the suspect who was near the same area.
"We're hopeful that the rest of the criminal justice system will hold him accountable for the conduct he perpetrated," said Mead.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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