Deputy's shooting called an ambush

OUTLOOK, Yakima County — Investigators wrapped up a search for evidence Tuesday afternoon where a Yakima County sheriff's deputy was shot late Monday.

Detectives from several agencies spent the morning searching for bullet casings, measuring buildings and interviewing residents of a row of homes between B Street and Yakima Valley Highway in this small, unincorporated Lower Yakima Valley community.

The deputy, who has not been identified, suffered a noncritical wound after he arrived at the scene shortly before midnight to check out a report of gunshots. He was treated at a hospital and released. A second deputy responding to the same call sustained cuts and bruises as he dived for cover when the shooting began, Sheriff Ken Irwin told county commissioners Tuesday.

Irwin said the deputy was struck in the right rear hip. The bullet traveled down his leg and lodged near a leg bone. No arteries or vital organs were hit, Irwin said.

Irwin also credited a sheriff's sergeant with driving his patrol cruiser into the scene, where he "scooped them up and got them out."

County Prosecutor Jim Hagarty described the shooting as an ambush but did not elaborate.

Police spokeswoman Charlotte Hinderlider would not address whether any suspects have been identified, saying only that the case remains under investigation. No arrests have been reported.

The deputies were outside their patrol cars looking for evidence when they came under fire, authorities said. Neither shot back.

Area resident Pedro Camacho said he heard three rounds of gunshots starting about 11 p.m. Monday. After the second, law-enforcement officers already were looking around Yakima Valley Highway, visible from his B Street home.

At the time of the third round of gunfire, Camacho saw a person run through his backyard, hop his fence and set off a car alarm at his next-door neighbor's house. It was too dark to tell if it was a man or woman, old or young, he said.