WOODINVILLE, Wash. — Two King County Sheriff's deputies were injured in a Woodinville shooting, and the suspect was shot and killed at the scene. Law enforcement believes the suspect fired first and the deputies returned fire, but the incident remains under investigation.
Both deputies were transported to nearby hospitals. One deputy was shot in the back and the other was shot in the arm. Both have since been released from the hospital.
Officers told KING 5 that the bulletproof vests deputies were wearing helped slow the velocity of the bullet.
The shooting occurred just after 12:15 p.m. outside the Beaumont Apartments on 141st Ave. NE in Woodinville.
Jerome Jefferson, who has lived in the apartments for three years, said what happened on Monday afternoon was a huge surprise.
"There's a huge sense of community. We know our neighbors. People aren't shy about communicating with each other. We look out for each other. It sounds like that's what possibly happened-- someone saw something and called the police and that's how they were here to help and take care of it," said Jefferson.
It's unknown exactly what led up to the shooting. A King County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said it's believed the deputies responded to a car prowler complaint and that the suspect was carrying "a case."
The spokesperson did not go into detail on the significance of the suspect's case or what was in it.
Since King County Sheriff's deputies were involved, the Seattle Police Department’s Force Investigation Team will conduct an independent criminal investigation. The city of Woodinville contracts with the King County Sheriff's Office for police protection, which is why the sheriff's office was the main agency involved.
