BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A Lummi Nation Police officer was hospitalized, and a suspect is in custody following a shooting early Monday morning.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office says that the suspect drove his car into a ditch on N Red River Road just before 1 a.m.
When an officer approached him, the suspect shot them several times before running off.
Several roads were shut down as multiple agencies searched for the suspect.
“I thank each and every officer, every detective, every support person that really helped capture this person who did evil today,” Tanksley said. Tanksley called the incident “unprovoked” and reiterated the “evil” character of the crime.
“Violence against law enforcement is an attack on the safety and security of all of us,” he added.
According to Sheriff Tanksley, the 37-year-old injured officer was hospitalized, has undergone surgery and remains there in a stable condition.
In response to the shooting, the Lummi Indian Business Council closed its office while in search of the suspect. Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire said the office will reopen for business as usual on Tuesday.
Hillaire spoke along with Lummi Nation Police Chief Jay Martin about the incident during a press conference in conjunction with Whatcom County’s Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Response Team.
“I come before you today with a heavy heart, as our nation faces a moment of deep pain and concern and great challenge,” Hillaire said. “This tragic event is a reminder of the risks that our officers take each and every single day to keep our community safe, I want to express deep gratitude to all the agencies involved for acting swiftly and in partnership with the Lummi law enforcement.”
Chief Martin became choked up toward the end of his statement, reiterating that limited information about the injured officer will be shared at this time out of respect for the privacy of them and their family. He did say that the officer had been in law enforcement for only a few years before transferring to Lummi Police about a year ago.
“We’re happy and grateful for all the agencies that help with the capture of the suspect, and our hearts and stuff are out with our officer that’s been shot,” he said.
Nearly two dozen local and nearby law enforcement agencies, as well as the FBI, responded to assist when the incident occurred.
