January 6, 2021
King County: At approximately 1:20am on January 6, 2021, a WSP trooper was traveling EB I-90 from 150th Ave SE when he observed a dark colored older model Chevrolet Tahoe also traveling EB. Upon running the license plate it returned stolen and the trooper decided to wait for additional units prior to trying to stop the vehicle.
Once additional units were in position they were approaching SR 900 and a stop was attempted. The vehicle took off and a pursuit ensued at which time the Pursuit Immobilization Technique (PIT) was utilized which caused the vehicle to spin out into the median of I-90. The suspect was able to get out of the median and entered the westbound lanes of I-90 where the pursuit continued. It was at this time that the driver fired a handgun in the direction of the lead WSP vehicle.
The suspect continued westbound and took the exit to Lakemont Blvd SE where it went off the road into a ditch. Once again the suspect was able to get out of the ditch and continue SB on Lakemont Blvd SE where more shots were fired at the pursuing troopers. Two additional troopers joined the pursuit at this point and it continued up Lakemont Blvd SE. A second PIT maneuver was utilized which disabled the vehicle which ended up on the sidewalk and once again more shots were fired.
The driver and passenger both exited the vehicle and at this time the driver did not display a handgun but refused to comply with commands. A trooper deployed three bean bag less than lethal rounds at which time the driver complied and was safely taken into custody. The passenger was compliant and also taken into custody without incident.
Through the initial investigation at the scene it was determined that one WSP vehicle was struck twice, once in the lower part of the push bar and once in the upper right hand corner of the front windshield. No injuries were sustained by troopers and only minor injuries from the bean bag rounds to the suspect that did not require medical attention. The ONLY discharge of a weapon by troopers was the three less than lethal rounds.
The driver was identified as 25 year old Cameron J. Childs of Federal Way and was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of Felony Eluding, Assault 1st, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Possession of a Stolen License Plate with more potential charges to come. The passenger was released after being interviewed by detectives. The investigation is being handled by detectives from the WSP’s Criminal Investigation Division.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is very thankful that this ended with only minor injuries to the suspect.
Washington State Patrol detectives are seeking anyone that may have witnessed this pursuit or has any additional information to contact Detective Ford at Brody.Ford@wsp.wa.gov.
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