Suspect reportedly shot by Pierce deputy still at large, investigating team says
A man reportedly shot overnight Sunday by a Pierce County Sheriff’s Department deputy, and who might be bleeding, is still at large, the team investigating the incident announced.
The Pierce County Force Investigation Team is now involved after deputies were dispatched about 2 a.m. to the 7300 block of Ninth Avenue Court East.
A deputy had found a man slumped over in his vehicle in that area, a man allegedly with outstanding felony warrants, including for second-degree assault, eluding law enforcement and escape from community custody.
Deputies positioned their vehicles around his, but the man woke up and allegedly began to ram into them, according to the Pierce County Force Investigation Team.
According to a news release, the following happened: “He was able to ram an escape route with his vehicle and drove at a deputy. Shots were reported to have been fired.”
The suspect drove off, but that vehicle was later found crashed, running and abandoned in the 900 block of 85th Street East, according to the Pierce County Force Investigation Team.
Around that time, multiple 911 calls were received from residents, saying that a man, who appeared to have blood on him, had showed up on their property asking for help. It also was reported that the man had allegedly entered homes and left after being confronted.
Police dogs and drones were used to search for the man, but after more than three hours he was not located, according to the investigation team.
Residents are encouraged to keep their homes and vehicles secure, and they should call 911 if they see anyone who may be suspicious or related to this incident, according to the team.
