Kent Police took a man into custody who reportedly shot and injured a 35-year-old Kent man earlier in the day on the East Hill. Officers arrested the man after a vehicle pursuit.
Officers responded at about 3:48 p.m. Thursday, June 29 to the 23900 block of 111th Place SE, near the Phoenix Court Apartments, after reports of a shooting, according to a Kent Police statement. Officers found a man with multiple life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Officers provided medical aid, including a chest seal and tourniquets. Puget Sound Fire responded to treat the man. Paramedics transported the man to a local hospital, according to police.
Detectives interviewed multiple witnesses and canvassed for evidence.
At about 7 p.m. June 29, a Kent Police K-9 officer observed what he believed to be the shooting suspect vehicle, which had unique characteristics, according to police. The officer had reasonable suspicion that the vehicle might be driven or occupied by the shooting suspect. He attempted to pull over the vehicle, but it accelerated and began to elude the officer, according to police.
Weighing the risk of the pursuit, versus the risk of not apprehending a possible violent offender believed to be armed with a firearm who may have shot the victim multiple times, the pursuit was authorized by a Kent Police supervisor and continued for several miles, eventually leading east on Highway 18.
The King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, Guardian 1, responded to assist with the pursuit by providing air support. Sheriff’s Office deputies and Washington State Patrol troopers also responded to assist.
While on Highway 18, the suspect’s vehicle collided with a bystander’s vehicle, which led to the reported suspect’s vehicle driving off the roadway and colliding with a tree, according to police. A male suspect driver and female passenger exited and attempted to flee on foot. The female, who was injured in the collision, was apprehended quickly. The male suspect fled into the wooded area and a K-9 track was successful in locating the male a short time later.
Police did not release ages or hometowns for the male and female.
The male suspect was arrested for investigation of vehicle assault, eluding police and possession of a stolen vehicle. Detectives continue to investigate the male’s involvement in the prior shooting. Additional charges are likely, according to police. Police did not release the reasons they took the female into custody.
Washington State Patrol is conducting the collision investigation.
This marked the second shooting of the day in Kent that injured somebody. A man and a woman were injured in a West Hill apartment complex at about 6:20 a.m. in the 2100 block of South 272nd Street, according to police.
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