Two Olympia police officers who were stabbed by an arson suspect on Thursday night have been released from the hospital.
Both officers will be on administrative leave until an independent investigation team completes its probe, Lt. Paul Lower of the Olympia police told The JOLT. At least one will require an “extended rehabilitation,” he added.
The Capital Metro Independent Investigations Team said Olympia officers were dispatched on March 31 to assist the Olympia Fire Department with a reported arson in an apartment complex in the 1300 block of Fern Street.
Police say the 72-year-old suspect started a fire at the front door of a neighbor’s apartment and threatened to pepper-spray another neighbor who attempted to put the fire out.
The suspect also pepper-sprayed the two officers when they tried to contact him, prompting them to seek additional police and mental health resources.
Police eventually obtained a search warrant to enter the suspect’s unit and arrest him, but the suspect refused to leave his apartment.
Officers then entered the unit and were attacked with a machete in their legs, causing serious injuries. At least one officer shot the suspect during the assault.
The officers were transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital. One was initially in serious but stable condition and the other had a large but non-life-threatening leg wound, Lower said. Both were released this morning.
Olympia police Interim Chief Rich Allen said the officers are expected to make a full recovery. “We are grateful they will be okay,” he said in a news release
The suspect, meanwhile, was airlifted to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, where he underwent surgery. Once released from the hospital, he will be booked into the Thurston County Jail on felony charges.
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bobkat
. . . . and if the subject survives he will sue the officers for injuring him unjustifiably while he was in a "mental health crisis." :-/
Friday, April 1, 2022 Report this
Panagringo
Too bad. Dude needs to be put out of our misery!
Monday, April 4, 2022 Report this