Police Shooting In Lakewood: Suspect Injured, Officers Unharmed

LAKEWOOD, WA — One person has been hospitalized with serious injuries after a police shooting midday Tuesday in the Lakewood area. The shooting also closed a stretch of S. Tacoma Way, interrupting traffic for several hours.

According to a news release from the Pierce Count Force Investigation Team (PCFIT), just before noon Tacoma Police officers tried to arrest a suspect in a murder case near 8700 Hosmer Street in Tacoma. While executing a warrant, however, the suspect fled, crashing into several cars in a nearby parking lot before hitting another vehicle near the intersection of 96th St S and Sales Road S.

Officers pursued the suspect iinto Lakewood. There, on South Tacoma Way, he reportedly crashed into two more cars near the intersection with 88th Street South, before coming to a stop.

Shortly after that, officers reported that shots were fired. The suspect was hit, and has been taken to the hospital with serious injuries. It is unclear if he ever returned fire. No officers have been reported injured.

Following the pursuit and shooting, the Lakewood Police Department shut down a portion of South Tacoma Way for their investigation, and warned drivers to avoid the area.

Police first reported the closure just after 12:30 p.m., saying that S. Tacoma Way has been closed from 88th Street to Steilacoom Boulevard in both directions.

The road has since been fully reopened.

The Pierce County Force Investigation Team has been called in to investigate the use of force, which is standard procedure for all police shootings in Pierce County.

Tuesday evening, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards released a statement on the shooting, saying that the city was "always concerned when there is an officer-involved shooting", but thanking the police department for working to solve violent crimes.

"I will continue to support the work of the Tacoma Police Department and our new Police Chief on long-term strategies and solutions to address crime," Woodards said. "I appreciate your patience and understanding as the investigation team works to provide up-to-date and accurate information while protecting the integrity of their work in the weeks ahead."

Future updates on the PCFIT investigation will be posted on the city's website.