A Washington State Patrol trooper non-fatally shot a 34-year-old driver in Federal Way on Wednesday evening, Aug. 24 after that driver got into an altercation and reportedly struck another vehicle during an attempted traffic stop, according to law enforcement sources.
The shooting occurred at 7:53 p.m. in the 34800 block of Enchanted Parkway South, according to a press release from the Independent Force Investigative Team King County. The investigative team is an interagency coalition of local law enforcement that looks into uses of force by officers, troopers and sheriff deputies.
The state trooper was trying to pull over a driver for a traffic stop, according to the press release. But an altercation followed and the driver “allegedly crashed into at least one other vehicle.”
During the altercation, “the trooper shot the 34-year-old male driver,” according to the release. Neither of their names have been released.
The trooper immediately began rendering first aid to the driver after shooting him, said Meeghan Black, Bellevue Police public information officer, who is handling media inquiries related to the investigation. The driver was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he is being treated for his injuries.
The scene was cleared by investigating officers at about 6 a.m. Thursday morning (Aug. 25), Black said. The trooper was uninjured and placed on administrative leave, which is WSP policy.
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