
August 4, 2019
Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating an incident that included possible robberies, a stolen vehicle, a high speed pursuit crossing a number of police jurisdictions, a brandished firearm, an officers- involved shooting, and the wounding and eventual capture of a female suspect near the Snake River Bridge, east of Pasco, WA on Saturday afternoon, August 3rd.
Anyone with information that can aid in the investigation should call the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office at 509-527-3265.
Incident Recap:
- A multi-county pursuit of two female suspects involved in a possible robbery began in Columbia County, mid-afternoon on Saturday.
- The suspects were in a stolen white Prius and the pursuit reached high speeds with the driver of the stolen vehicle driving recklessly in attempts to evade capture.
- At one point in the pursuit, a female suspect jumped out of the car, was apprehended and is now in custody in Columbia County.
- Franklin and Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputies were joined by WSP Troopers in this long running and extraordinarily dangerous pursuit which ended on eastbound Hwy 12 and State Route 124, two miles east of the Pasco city limits near the Snake River Bridge shortly after 3:00 p.m.
- Spike strips were deployed and Pursuit Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuvers were used to stop the Prius.
- The remaining female occupant brandished a firearm at which point, two WSP troopers and a Franklin County Deputy fired their weapons with multiple rounds striking the suspect.
- The wounded suspect barricaded herself in the vehicle before WSP SWAT members arrived and eventually took her into custody. The SWAT Team Medic immediately treated her for her injuries.
- The subject was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive. (No information is available on the suspect’s specific injuries at this time.)
- There were no law enforcement injuries. The two WSP troopers were transported to the Pasco Police Department for standard processing following a shots-fired event.
- Traffic will continue to be diverted well into the daylight hours of Sunday, August 4 while the scene is processed and detours have been set up in both directions of Hwy 12. Travelers can expect delays in the area.
- The incident is now being investigated by a Special Investigative Unit (SIU) – a multiagency task force that can objectively investigate incidents that include significant use of force and involve multiple agencies. The specific Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) investigation will be led by Richland and Benton Counties.
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste thanked the traveling public for their patience as this incident is investigated and the expansive crime-scene is processed. He also praised the professionalism, compassion, and courage of all the troopers and officers involved and encourages anyone with information that can assist the investigation in any way to reach out to the Walla Walla Sheriff’s Office as soon as possible.
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