Deputy Opens Fire Near Puyallup, Suspect Injured

PUYALLUP, WA — A 19-year-old is in the hospital with serious injuries after a run in with law enforcement early Thursday.

According to a preliminary update from the Pierce County Force Investigation team, the incident began at 10:21 a.m. Thursday, when a Pierce County Sheriff's Department deputy spotted a vehicle that had previously been linked to an armed carjacking and several robberies in the Puyallup area. The deputy tried to pull the vehicle over along Canyon Road E, but the driver took off, leading officers on a high speed chase.

Officers say the wanted vehicle flew down the road, even ramming several civilian vehicles to elude deputies and break through traffic. Eventually, at around 10:37 a.m. the driver bailed out of the vehicle in the 6200 block of 161 St. E, and jumped on a motorcycle.

Shortly afterwards, the suspect was shot by a pursuing deputy.

Exactly what happened in the moments immediately leading up to the shooting is still unknown, though deputies did call South Sound 911 to report the shooting and requested medical assistance.

The suspect, identified only as a 19-year-old, was hit once. The suspect has been taken to a local hospital for emergency treatment, and doctors say they are in serious condition. Another person, a woman who was in the suspect vehicle's passenger seat during the chase, has also been taken to a hospital for precautionary treatment. A Pierce County Sheriff's Department deputy also suffered minor injuries in the incident, but did not require hospitalization.

Officers also say a firearm was recovered from the scene.

The deputy who opened fire has been placed on administrative leave and the Pierce County Force Investigation Team has also been called to investigate the shooting, both of which are standard procedure when an officer uses force in Pierce County.