Suspect still hospitalized after officer-involved shooting on I-5

In the meantime, K-9 Officer Arlo continues to recover

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A suspect who was shot by law enforcement officers on Interstate 5 last week remains in custody at a local hospital, according to investigators.

The suspect, who has thus far only been identified as a 25-year-old man, allegedly pointed a gun at pursuing deputies and was shot. Thurston County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Arlo was also injured during the altercation.

The Mason County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting, which involved five Thurston County deputies and one Washington State Patrol trooper firing their weapons. Each of those law enforcement officers has been put on administrative leave, as is normal policy after an officer-involved shooting. Mason County is assisted by investigators from the Lewis and Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Offices. No Thurston County nor WSP personnel will be involved in the investigation.

The incident was spurred by deputies attempting to pull over a recklessly driven vehicle in Tumwater at 8 p.m. Jan. 13. The suspect, still in his vehicle, allegedly fled, prompting a car chase. The chase led onto southbound I-5. Near mile marker 88, the suspect allegedly got out of his vehicle and pointed a gun, prompting the shooting, according to a Mason County Sheriff’s Office press release.

“After being shot, the suspect refused to cooperate with officers, thus delaying their ability to make the scene safe and secure. Once the scene was safe and secure, first aid was initiated on the suspect with medics quickly reliving officers of that responsibility,” reads the press release.

Investigators reported finding a handgun at the scene near where the suspect fell. A WSP vehicle dash-cam recorded the shooting.

K-9 Arlo was shot twice during the incident. After undergoing surgery at Oregon State University, he was released on Monday. He’s recovering at home, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

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