On Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at about 1:00 AM Port Angeles Police Officers responded to a report of shots fired near 3rd and Lincoln. Details included that the suspect vehicle was last seen southbound on Lincoln. At about 2:00 AM a former PAPD Officer spotted the suspect vehicle on Front Street. It appeared the driver was under the influence based on his erratic driving.
A Clallam County Deputy Sheriff and a Port Angeles Police Officer attempted to stop the vehicle, which resulted in a pursuit. Under the new law the Officers were allowed to pursue because Drive by Shooting is listed as a violent felony, they had reasonable suspicion to believe that the driver was impaired, and the pursuit was approved by and monitored by a supervisor.
The pursuit went through downtown and south on Valley Street where an accidental collision occurred between the suspect vehicle and a pursuing PAPD vehicle. This stopped the pursuit long enough for the other officers to arrive and use their vehicles to pin the suspect in despite his efforts to drive away. Lower Elwha Police Officers also arrived to assist. The suspect was arrested after a brief struggle. Medics were called because of possible injuries sustained in the accident and the concern that the suspect had ingested Fentanyl. The investigation revealed that the suspect was prohibited from possessing firearms because his criminal history included felony offenses involving drug dealing and domestic assault.
A Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the suspect vehicle, and an ammunition magazine along with a spent shell casing were recovered from the suspect's pants. After being treated at the hospital. The suspect was booked into the jail for Attempting to Elude Pursuing Police Vehicles, Felon in Possession of a Firearm DUI Drugs, and other offenses. The prosecutor will review those cases. The suspect is expected to appear in court on Thursday afternoon. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. The PAPD Officers involved are in the photos below.
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