Pierce County, Washington — Two Pierce County sheriff’s deputies were shot during a pursuit with an allegedly armed suspect on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, deputies initially attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver when the vehicle refused to pull over, triggering a pursuit as the driver allegedly continued driving recklessly.
Authorities said deputies were unaware at the time that the suspect was allegedly connected to a white supremacist gang and had reportedly been involved in a recent double homicide in another jurisdiction.
During the encounter, investigators say the suspect was armed with a handgun equipped with an extended magazine and opened fire on deputies. A deputy-involved shooting followed.
Both deputies were struck by gunfire during the exchange, according to the sheriff’s office.
Officials said one deputy was protected by body armor, which stopped a potentially serious injury. The second deputy suffered a grazing wound and did not sustain life-threatening injuries.
The suspect later died from injuries sustained during the shooting, authorities said.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office recently released video related to the incident and warned viewers that it contains scenes of violence. Officials said the footage was shared to show the dangers deputies face during routine patrol duties.
Investigations into the shooting and the suspect’s alleged connections to other crimes remain ongoing.
For many commuters and young drivers, the incident highlights how routine traffic stops can quickly escalate into dangerous situations for law enforcement.
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