Bothell officer killed, second officer shot during traffic stop, pursuit
KOMO ^ | Monday, July 13th 2020 | by KOMO News Staff
Posted on 7/14/2020, 9:07:42 AM by RitchieAprile
BOTHELL, Wash. (KOMO) — A Bothell police officer was killed and a second one was wounded during a Monday night traffic stop that turned into a gun battle with the driver, authorities said. The suspect was later arrested after an hours-long manhunt. The surviving police officer was rushed for treatment to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where the officer was said to be in stable condition. Information about the extent of the second officer's injury was pending. Investigators have also not identified the officers as of early Tuesday.
The incident began around 9:40 p.m. when Bothell officers tried to pull over a driver heading west on SR 522, according to Aaron Snell with Everett Police, which is among the agencies now investigating the shooting. After a short chase, the fleeing driver struck a pedestrian and crashed through a center median in the 10300 block of Woodinville Drive, Snell said.
At that point, gunfire was exchanged as the driver got out and ran from the car, Snell said. Backup officers arrived at the scene to find one officer had died and a second one was wounded. He was rushed to Harborview along with the pedestrian who was struck, Snell said. The extent of the pedestrian's injuries were not given either. A manhunt ensued as several police agencies and police dogs swarmed the area looking for their suspect. He was located around 3:20 a.m. hiding on a rooftop and arrested without further incident.
Bothell police Capt. Mike Johnson said it was the first time in at least 25 years that a Bothell officer was killed in the line of duty. "As you can imagine, this is the most horrific thing police officers can deal with," Johnson said. "When these types of events happen, police officers all want to help out and pitch inso thankful for all their help." Bothell Councilman Mason Thompson said he was "heartbroken" about the incident in a social media post.