State trooper fires at suspect after Snohomish Co. pursuit
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SNOHOMISH, Wash. - Police are investigating after a state trooper opened fire at a suspect following a high-speed chase early Sunday through Snohomish County.
Officials said the incident began at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday when the trooper spotted the suspect driving recklessly in a Ford pickup at speeds of over 100 mph on northbound Interstate 5 at 128th Street.
The trooper attempted to pull over the driver, but he continued speeding north on I-5. The trooper radioed for assistance, and other state troopers put out a spike strip near the 80th Street exit at Marysville, said Snohomish County sheriff's spokeswoman Shari Ireton.
The suspect drove over the spikes, but continued driving with a damaged tire. He pulled off the freeway at Smokey Point, headed east, then turned south on Highway 9, where troopers clocked him going at more than 90 mph.
By that time, numerous other law enforcement personnel had joined the pursuit. The chase finally ended when police cornered the suspect at a Shell gas station at 164th Street SE and Highway 9, south of Snohomish.
One of the troopers opened fire when the driver appeared to accelerate toward them, a Washington State Patrol spokesman said. The driver was hit in the shoulder and taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
The trooper was not hurt.
The Snohomish County Multiple Agence Response Team is investigating.
Officials said the incident began at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday when the trooper spotted the suspect driving recklessly in a Ford pickup at speeds of over 100 mph on northbound Interstate 5 at 128th Street.
The trooper attempted to pull over the driver, but he continued speeding north on I-5. The trooper radioed for assistance, and other state troopers put out a spike strip near the 80th Street exit at Marysville, said Snohomish County sheriff's spokeswoman Shari Ireton.
The suspect drove over the spikes, but continued driving with a damaged tire. He pulled off the freeway at Smokey Point, headed east, then turned south on Highway 9, where troopers clocked him going at more than 90 mph.
By that time, numerous other law enforcement personnel had joined the pursuit. The chase finally ended when police cornered the suspect at a Shell gas station at 164th Street SE and Highway 9, south of Snohomish.
One of the troopers opened fire when the driver appeared to accelerate toward them, a Washington State Patrol spokesman said. The driver was hit in the shoulder and taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
The trooper was not hurt.
The Snohomish County Multiple Agence Response Team is investigating.
When don't they understand "stop or I will shoot?" They should do it more often where someone will not obey that order and driving like an idiot putting others lives in danger with a vehicle. Enough of these chases and deaths from them. If they won't stop, shoot. Once they establish that policy we might see a lessening of these fools who think they can outrun a cops radio.Â
The "suspect" got lucky today...next time, perhaps NOT so lucky.
So they all got piece of the action and one got to shoot. Heroes??.
Talk about a crime, look at them fuel prices!
@JeepRex Unleaded is $3.15.9 in that photo, I dont think thats a crime, its much cheaper than it has been.
 @JeepRex You SHOULD be paying high prices for diesel. It's so much more caustic to the environment.
Smokey Point to 164th is about 26 miles according to Google Maps. Long way to drive in a damaged tire.
Just passed by 164th street in Clearview. The streets are blocked off and there must be at least 30 cop cars hanging around. Didn't this happen 5 hours ago? What the heck are they doing? Happy the got the guy.
 @TheBish "What the heck are they doing?"Reflected glory.
"...The Snohomish County Multiple Agence Response Team is investigating..."
Thank goodness the Agence team is on the case.
I thought police were not allowed to chase you but they have to radio ahead, and I also thought they could not fire a gun when there is a business right there, for they have no idea how many people are in there. I don't know where I got that information, and if I am wrong, I guess its a good thing that I don't disrespect the law and law officers.
@Just my say yup, you're wrong.
 @Just my say If they couldn't pursuit then no one would ever pull over. When to use deadly force is up to the discretion of the Officer/Deputy/Trooper.
@Smashquail @Just my say Decision to pursue is also up to the officer.
 @Smashquail  @Just my say You mean they won't go away if I give them a donut?