Updated with additional details from Edmonds police.
Edmonds police are investigating after an off-duty Seattle police officer was struck by his own vehicle as he was attempting to interrupt a vehicle break-in that occurred in the 9500 block of Edmonds Way Monday morning and fired a gun at the fleeing suspects.
According to Edmonds police spokesperson Commander Josh McClure, the incident began when the off-duty officer heard his personal vehicle start while he was getting ready for work. Once outside, he found the suspects had broken a window and entered his Hyundai Santa Fe. A suspect drove at the victim, knocking him down, and the victim fired his weapon, McClure said.
After he was struck, the victim fired one round from a handgun as the suspects fled the scene.
Initial reports were that a fired round struck a nearby fence. According to McClure, investigators now know that is not the case and that a single round struck a door on the driver’s side of the victim’s vehicle. Whether the handgun was personally or department-owned is currently under investigation.
The stolen Hyundai Santa Fe was found in a Burien apartment complex by King County Sheriff’s Office deputies. The victim had placed an Apple Airtag in his vehicle, which assisted with its quick location and recovery. The car was brought back to Edmonds and Edmonds police searched the vehicle under a search warrant.
At the time of the theft and assault, the victim’s vehicle had Seattle Police Department equipment secured inside. Those equipment items, including a department-issued handgun, radio and ballistic vest, have not been recovered. Seattle police are aware of this information, McClure said.
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident. EPD detectives believe that at least two suspects are involved and are leading the criminal investigation. They will work with the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office to determine potential charges related to this incident.
According to McClure, Seattle police sent members of their command staff and a force investigation team to the scene as part of their standard protocol.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Edmonds Police Department at 425-771-0200 or policetips@edmondswa.gov.
— By Teresa Wippel
looks like Seattles crime is coming this way guys… stabbings, shootings, drivebys of children, killings of children, robbery, homicide. this city of edmonds has seen more crime they the 30 years I have been living here
Gerald, you and I read the exact same story and came away with completely different opinions.
You came away railing against crime, while I came away thinking some yahoo cop dangerously shot his gun.
Please don’t tell me your politics leaning. I already know.
On this 9/11 remittance day, I pray for the day we stop gas lighting and start coming together.
Seriously, Mr. White?
A car thief tries to run down the owner and your biggest concern is that the owner fired his weapon at the vehicle and person trying to kill him?
It really does not matter that the victim was an officer. But that you would call him a yahoo, accuse Mr. Ritter of gaslighting, then talk about coming together, is truly breathtaking.
My immediate thought was why was a police gun, radio, vest left in a personal vehicle? If the officer was getting ready for work, why was the equipment left in a civilian car?
It made me wonder if the car was targeted.
The Police Blotter statistics support crimes in our area are increasing. What happens in Seattle spreads here unfortunately. I agree that most citizens believe a victim, regardless of job status, have the right to protect themselves and their property.
A police officer was assaulted with a deadly weapon, and nearly killed.
Maybe he waited too long to fire back, as that delay could have killed him.
One thing is for sure. The criminal that tried to kill the police officer would absolutely do the same to any innocent civilians that could had been in his way instead.
Very grateful to the EPD and SPD who put their lives in the line to protect us.
Too often we read from press reports, etc. that the Police take unnecessary risks and pay the price. Some rethinking of the strategy will help to minimize the loss of police personnel.
Yes, seriously!
Yahoo is a kind way to describe some cops.
See below.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/feel-safer-yet-seattle-police-unions-contempt-keeps-showing-through/