Feb. 10--SHELTON, Wash. -- A suspected thief was shot as he allegedly sped his truck towards a Mason County Sheriff's deputy Thursday night.
The deputy was investigating a recent theft of forest products on the North Dow Ridge Road above Lake Cushman when he witnessed the thief in the act and called for backup, Sheriff's office spokesperson Dean Bryd said.
When backup arrived the suspect took off.
"According to the deputy the suspect did not comply with orders then fled the scene in his truck. The suspect attempted to run down the first deputy, but the deputy could not fire without endangering the approaching back up officer," Bryd said.
The suspect later stopped his truck and turned around as the backup deputy got out of his cruiser-- rifle in hand.
"As the backup deputy exited his vehicle with his patrol rifle the suspect turned and sped toward the backup officer," Bryd continued. "Fearing for his life the deputy fired his rifle. The suspect was hit and drove off the road over an embankment."
The 50-year-old suspect was transported to Mason General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The deputy has been placed on administrative reassignment pending an investigation--a standard procedure in deputy-involved shooting cases.
Copyright 2012 - KCPQ/KMYQ-TV, Seattle
