Suspect allegedly smiled at officer, tried to run him over

CLEARVIEW — A Federal Way man who was shot in the shoulder last year after a 44-mile police chase that ended in a gas station parking lot here allegedly looked directly at a Washington State Patrol trooper and smiled before trying to run the law officer down.

Joseph R. Young, 51, was unsuccessful and reportedly remained in his truck after being hit by a bullet Dec. 16. He could be seen smoking what appeared to be a marijuana pipe and kept trying to drive away on his truck’s flattened tires until there was nothing but smoke and sparks coming from the rims, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Mara Rozanno said.

Despite his wound, when Young clambered from the rig he put up such a fight that he was only wrestled into handcuffs after being zapped twice by a Taser, the prosecutor wrote.

She charged Young this week with felony second-degree assault and attempting to elude police.

The Snohomish County Superior Court papers say the chase began along I-5 when Young’s truck blasted past a trooper at 105 mph. The pursuit passed through Everett, Smokey Point and Arlington before heading south past Snohomish and into Clearview.

Along the way, police flattened the truck’s tires, but it continued on. The truck eventually stopped in a parking lot in Clearview. Troopers poured out of their patrol cars and moved in to make the arrest, Rozanno said.

“Both troopers were yelling at the defendant to get out of the truck, that he was under arrest,” she wrote. The trooper who shot Young “indicated in his report that the defendant then looked directly at him, smiled, jammed the truck into gear and began accelerating.”

Video shows the truck’s wheels turning toward the trooper, who jumped away and fired two shots, Rozanno said.

The truck’s driver then appeared to try pull away from the lot, but apparently wasn’t able to get traction.

After his arrest, Young told detectives he had only fleeting memories of what led up to the gunfire. He also

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Janet Garcia walks into the courtroom for her arraignment at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mother found competent to stand trial in stabbing death of 4-year-old son

A year after her arraignment, Janet Garcia appeared in court Wednesday for a competency hearing in the death of her son, Ariel Garcia.

Everett council member to retire at end of term

Liz Vogeli’s retirement from the council opens up the race in the November election for Everett’s District 4 seat.

Washington State Department of Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn speaks during the Economic Alliance Snohomish County’s Annual Meeting and Awards events on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Commerce boss: How Washington state can make it easier for small businesses

Joe Nguyen made the remarks Wednesday during the annual meeting of the Economic Alliance Snohomish County and the Snohomish County Awards

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Christian Sayre sits in the courtroom before the start of jury selection on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jury selection begins in latest trial of former Everett bar owner

Opening statements for Christian Sayre’s fourth trial are scheduled for Monday. It is expected to conclude by May 16.

Ian Terry / The Herald

Zachary Mallon, an ecologist with the Adopt A Stream Foundation, checks the banks of Catherine Creek in Lake Stevens for a spot to live stake a willow tree during a volunteer event on Saturday, Feb. 10. Over 40 volunteers chipped in to plant 350 trees and lay 20 cubic yards of mulch to help provide a natural buffer for the stream.

Photo taken on 02102018
Snohomish County salmon recovery projects receive $1.9M in state funding

The latest round of Climate Commitment Act dollars will support fish barrier removals and habitat restoration work.

Fosse will not seek reelection; 2 candidates set to run for her seat

Mason Rutledge and Sam Hem announced this week they will seek the District 1 City Council position.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Brier in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Brier police levy fails; officials warn current staffing is not sustainable

With no new funding, officials say the department will remain stretched thin.

K-POP Empire store owners Todd Dickinson and Ricky Steinlars at their new store location on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood K-pop store wary of new tariffs

Much of the store’s merchandise, which arrives from China and South Korea, is facing new import fees.

The Kaiser Permanente Lynnwood Medical Center building on Friday, April 25, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kaiser Permanente to open Everett Medical Center expansion

On June 3, several specialty services at the organization’s Lynnwood location will move to the expanded clinic.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.