Parked car investigation escalates into struggle with armed suspect in Seattle, officer injured taken to hospital for treatment

Seattle, Washington – Late Tuesday night, a Seattle police officer suffered an injury while arresting a dangerous criminal who officials say was illegally carrying a firearm while on federal probation.

Officers were patrolling the 3600 block of 33rd Avenue South when the incident happened just before 9 p.m. on January 28. Police saw a car parked illegally between two marked disabled parking spots. The car also lacked license plates, prompting officers to approach and investigate further.

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As officers observed the vehicle, they saw the driver make movements that immediately raised concern. The Seattle Police Department explained that the man appeared to take a handgun out of his belt and put it on the floorboard of the car before they got there. The driver said he didn’t have a gun when asked and informed the police that the only problem in the car was an open container of beer.

The officers looked more closely and quickly determined that there was an open bottle of tequila in the car. At the same moment, they saw the gun on the floorboard, contradicting the driver’s statements. Next, the police tried to arrest the man and put him in handcuffs.

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The police claim things became worse as the suspect tried to escape. Officers tried to take control of the man during the altercation, but he kept fighting back. A Taser was used to stop the suspect from fighting back and safely take him into custody. One of the officers got hurt during the fight.

Despite the injury, officers were able to complete the arrest. The suspect was identified as a 35-year-old man with a recent conviction for assault. Authorities said he is now on federal probation for drug trafficking, gun crimes, and heroin-related crimes. He is not allowed to possess firearms because he is a convicted felon under federal supervision.

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The suspect was booked into the King County Jail on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm. The police additionally seized the car involved in the incident.

After the arrest, the injured officer was taken to the hospital for treatment. The police indicated that the officer’s injuries were not life-threatening and that he should fully recover.

The incident remains under investigation.