Man wanted as domestic violence suspect opens fire on deputies in Tacoma while fleeing
A man shot at Pierce County sheriff’s deputies in Tacoma on Sunday night while law enforcement tried to arrest him for allegedly violating a protection order numerous times in recent days.
No deputies were hit by the gunfire, according to a Facebook post from the sheriff’s department.
The 41-year-old man was eventually arrested after being located in a wooded area. Deputies said the man was transported to the hospital for minor injuries. Once he is released, he will be booked into Pierce County Jail for investigation of first-degree assault, felony stalking and violation of a no-contact order.
The man was out on bail after allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend in March, deputies said. He was charged with second-degree assault, felony harassment, obstructing a law enforcement officer, fourth-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm. Deputies said that case is pending.
Deputies responded at about 8:50 p.m. to the 1400 block of 72nd Street in Tacoma after receiving a tip that a wanted domestic violence suspect was in a parking lot at that location.
The suspect fled in his vehicle after deputies arrived. After a short pursuit, the man abandoned his car near the 6200 block of Pipeline Road East and fled on foot.
Deputies used a police dog to track the suspect, and moments after the dog began tracking, the suspect fired several rounds. Deputies said they did not return fire and no one was injured. At least one bullet hole was found in a nearby residence.
The suspect was seen running into a wooded area. Officers from Tacoma and Lakewood police departments assisted in setting up a perimeter to contain the suspect to the woods.
Just after midnight, the sheriff’s department’s Air Operations Unit and SWAT team located the suspect in the woods. With the help of a police dog, the suspect was taken into custody.
The sheriff’s department and other nearby law enforcement agencies have responded to multiple reports of the suspect violating a protection order since Nov. 16. Deputies said that each time, the suspect was gone by the time police arrived.
