Update: King County prosecutors on Friday charged a 62-year-old Kansas man accused of shooting at Seattle police officers in Ballard on Thursday night. He faces first- and second-degree assault charges, both with firearm enhancements and law enforcement aggravating factors, which could increase his sentence if he’s convicted.
Prosecutors asked for $3 million bail, citing his prior violent felony convictions and concerns about public safety. He is currently being treated at a medical facility for injuries from the incident, and the investigation, led by Kirkland Police, is ongoing, with the possibility of additional charges.
Original: Seattle police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that left one person in critical condition in Ballard.
The shooting happened Thursday evening in Ballard, next to Adams Elementary, at the intersection of NW 62nd St and 28th Ave NW. Police say they responded to a report of a woman being followed at 5:40 p.m. on February 12. When officers arrived, they found the suspect and there was an exchange of gunfire that involved three officers and the suspect, according to Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes.
The suspect was shot and is now in critical condition, and one officer was taken to the hospital with a graze wound on the leg from a bullet and is expected to recover.
While school was out for the day, Adams Elementary was hosting its annual Multicultural Potluck at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. Police issued a shelter-in-place at the school, where a bullet struck the teacher’s lounge window, according to the school principal.
Police say the King County Independent Force Investigation Team will take over the investigation.
Photo and tip from Cassin A Stacy