Tacoma police release name of officer who drove through street-racing crowd
Tacoma police on Monday identified the officer who drove through a crowd downtown Saturday night and ran over at least one person.
Khanh Phan, 58, has been with the department for nearly 30 years. He was placed on paid administration immediately after the incident at South 9th Street and Pacific Avenue.
Several bystanders took cell phone video of Phan, who was alone in a patrol SUV, backing up a few feet and revving the engine. His SUV then suddenly surged forward, striking a group that had surrounded his vehicle and running over at least one person.
He then continued forward and stopped before calling for medical aid.
Two 21-year-old men were hospitalized with injuries. One was from Tacoma, the other was from Kent.
The Pierce County Force Investigation Team, a multi jurisdictional unit formed late last year to investigate police force in the county, is looking into the incident.
Phan feared for his safety because people were banging on the patrol vehicle and yelling, and he did not believe he could back up, the department said in a written statement.
Investigators have not said whether Phan called for help on the radio before driving into the throng of people.
In protest of Phan’s actions, a group numbering more than 100 gathered in downtown Tacoma Sunday night. The event was mostly peaceful until a few broke more than 20 windows at the County-City Building, South Sound 911 and a bail bond business.
Windows on at least two patrol cars were broken out, and seven employees at South Sound 911 had to be evacuated.
The Pierce County Emergency Operations Center switched its focus from COVID-19 to the demonstration for the night.
Phan’s actions prompted both the City Council and the city’s Police Advisory Board to hold special meetings Monday night.
This story was originally published January 25, 2021 at 4:56 PM.
