Felon shot, officers hurt in Kitsap County confrontation

A wanted felon was shot and wounded and two police officers suffered minor injuries during a confrontation in Suquamish, Kitsap County, on Saturday night.

Three officers were dispatched to a home on Newton Street around 9:30 p.m. for a report of multiple shots fired. When they arrived, the officers contacted a 34-year-old man who was wanted on a no-bail warrant for probation violations, according to a statement Suquamish Police Chief Mike Lasnier released to the Kitsap Sun. When officers attempted to arrest the man, he got into a car and drove toward the officers, the chief said

One officer was struck by the bumper and another had his foot run over, but both managed to fire at the car, police said. The suspect was struck by gunfire but apparently managed to escaped. He fled to a nearby house and his friends took him to the Suquamish Police Department for medical help. The suspect was then flown to Harborview Medical Center for treatment, police said.

The injured officers were taken to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton and later released. The officers are on administrative leave, which is routine in officer-involved shootings, pending an investigation into the incident. They were not identified by the department.

Lasnier, in his statement, said he is "confident that the Officers of the Suquamish Police Department acted appropriately in this matter. We welcome external review of this matter by County, State and Federal Authorities. Upon completion of the external review, we will be conducting an internal shooting review, which is standard department policy."

The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office will investigate the shooting, sheriff's spokesman Scott Wilson said Sunday. Wilson said the suspect, who has not been identified by authorities, suffered non life-threatening injuries.

According to Lasnier he has previously been convicted of burglary, drug dealing and possession of drugs, as well as assault and intimidating witnesses. He also has 12 prior misdemeanor convictions.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com