Here’s Chief Mike Lasnier’s statement on the
Suquamish shooting:
“Information has been previously released regarding the officer
involved shooting incident that occurred in Suquamish last
night. All questions regarding the investigation, its status,
or specific facts of the case should be referred to the Public
Information Officer for the lead investigating agency, Deputy Scott
Wilson of the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.
Following the incident, the Suquamish Police Department followed
standard law enforcement protocol, and requested assistance from
the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State
Patrol, to ensure a fair and objective investigation into the
incident. Both agencies responded without delay, and have
provided assistance to our agency in this matter. The
Suquamish Police Department and its officers are cooperating fully
with the investigation. We are grateful to the Kitsap
Sheriff’s Department and Washington State Patrol for their
professional response and assistance in this matter.
At approximately 2130 on Saturday evening, officers were
dispatched to a report of a disturbance with multiple shots fired
on Newton Street in Suquamish. Upon arriving in the area,
officers cautiously approached the residence, and contacted
subjects outside of the house. One subject was a 34 year old
career criminal with an extensive history of drug dealing, with 9
prior felony convictions for violent crimes, burglary, drug dealing
and possession of drugs, as well as assault and intimidating
witnesses. He also has 12 prior misdemeanor convictions for
multiple crimes, including displaying weapons with intent to
intimidate. He currently had a Felony “No Bail” “Caution”
warrant for his arrest, for escape from the Washington State
Department of Corrections on “community custody” for Drug
Charges. When challenged by 3 officers in full uniform, the
offender fled towards his vehicle, and refused commands to stop or
show his hands. The offender entered a vehicle, started it,
and rapidly accelerated towards the officers. One officer was
struck by the bumper of the vehicle, and another had his foot run
over. Both officers discharged their weapons, and the wanted,
fleeing, dangerous felon was struck by gunfire. A female
passenger also received minor wounds from secondary
projectiles. The suspects fled the scene, went to a nearby
residence to seek aid from friends, and got into a different
vehicle to seek medical aid. The suspects realized they
needed immediate medical assistance, so they drove to the Suquamish
Police Department to seek help. Aid was obtained for them,
and the male subject was flown to Harborview for the treatment of
gunshot wounds, the Female passenger transported to Harrison
Hospital in Bremerton.
Both officers struck by the suspect car were injured, and were
transported by ambulance to Harrison Medical Center for treatment
of their wounds. Both were treated and later released.
After recovering from their injuries, the officers will be on
administrative duties, which is standard procedure in incidents of
this nature. Both officers are veterans of the department
with over 7 years of service each.
I am confident that the Officers of the Suquamish Police
Department acted appropriately in this matter. We welcome
external review of this matter by County, State and Federal
Authorities. Upon completion of the external review, we will
be conducting an internal shooting review, which is standard
department policy.
I am confident that the choices made by our officers were
professional, legal and justified, and that this confidence will be
supported following a thorough and exhaustive professional and
legal review. My officers had a duty and obligation to respond and
act, and they did so with a great deal of courage and
professionalism. Anyone who attacks and attempts to murder
police officers, whether with a gun, a knife, or the car used in
this incident, should expect that any officer will respond in the
same manner.
Additional information can be obtained from the lead
investigation agency, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department.
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