Man accused of shooting at police had allegedly bought drugs

EVERETT -- The Lynnwood man accused of shooting at police and causing a serious injury accident that shut down I-5 traffic for hours Wednesday allegedly had bought drugs shortly before leading police on a wild chase and massive manhunt.

Theodore J. Ohms, 23, refused to leave his cell to attend a bail hearing this afternoon in Everett District Court. He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and attempting to elude police officers as well as a parole violation. He's being held without bail. If he refuses to appear at a hearing tomorrow, the court indicated it will issue an order allowing guards to haul him there against his will.

See video of Ohms' arrest from KIRO-TV here.

Ohms also is under investigation for vehicular assault, Snohomish County Sheriff's spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said. Detectives said the woman who was injured after Ohms allegedly slammed into her van, Tamara Fietkau, 49, was being treated for injuries at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Ohms is a convicted felon who was wanted on a warrant for a parole violation.

In April he was sentenced to two months in jail after leading Lynnwood police on a high-speed chase through south Snohomish County. He also was convicted in 2009 for possession of methamphetamine.

Police reports filed this morning in court provide some new details about the chase and search:

Ohms allegedly had purchased an ounce of methamphetamine Wednesday afternoon.

He was behind the wheel of a black Jetta with canceled license plates when a deputy turned on the flashing lights to his patrol car. According to a woman who was also in the car, Ohms allegedly made a comment similar to "I can't, I can't" and punched down the accelerator.

The chase wound through neighborhoods in south Everett, reaching speeds of 50 to 60 mph on residential streets where the speed limit is 25 mph.

The chase was stopped at one point because of safety concerns and heavy traffic. It resumed when another deputy spotted the Jetta driving east along Highway 526.

A pursuing deputy said he could see the Jetta driver point a handgun out the car's sunroof. There was a muzzle flash. The deputy said the suspect fired multiple rounds at him with one round striking the front of his patrol car.

Ohms allegedly told his passenger that he fired at the pursuing police car hoping to stop the chase. The woman managed to grab the handgun and threw it out the window.

After Ohms allegedly crashed into Fietkau's van, he abandoned the Jetta. The woman who was in the car with him remained behind. She cooperated with police and later led them to the section of Highway 526 where a handgun was recovered.

Ohms was arrested after being tracked down by a police dog. He reportedly spoke with detectives and admitted shooting at the patrol car, but denied intending to hurt deputies.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com