Suspect fled police due to fear
Published 10:39 pm Friday, July 27, 2007
An ex-felon suspected of leading police on a lengthy high-speed chase July 20 reportedly said he ran from officers because he was scared.
Stewart Allan Compher, 31, of Everett made his first appearance in court Friday after being released from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he was treated for multiple gunshot wounds.
He’s one of two men being held in the Snohomish County Jail in connection with last week’s rush-hour chase.
Fleeing suspects allegedly stole two vehicles at gunpoint and caused numerous collisions, traffic snarls and panic at two shopping areas.
District Court Judge Tam Bui set Compher’s bail at $500,000.
He’s being investigated for six felonies in connection with the chase: two robberies, an attempted robbery, eluding police, second-degree assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Deputy prosecutor Sean Reay told the judge Compher faces a possible lengthy prison term if convicted, and that puts him at risk of fleeing if released.
Compher has five previous felony convictions, including theft and burglary, Reay said.
Compher is one of two people arrested in connection with the chase, which caused a traffic nightmare from Lake Stevens to Mill Creek.
Eric M. Johnson II, 24, of Seattle was charged earlier this week with first-degree robbery and attempting to elude police officers. Johnson is being held on $250,000 bail. He was arrested at the Everett Mall after two armed men who were being chased by police ran into the shopping center.
Prosecutors have until Tuesday to charge Compher.
Police fired shots at both the Everett Mall and the Fred Meyer store on 132nd Street SE as they attempted to nab two people involved in the chase.
Compher was shot by a police sergeant while trying to flee from the Fred Meyer through a loading dock area.
He allegedly tried to lose police by running through the crowded store, gun in hand. A similar chase occurred at the mall minutes before.
The mayhem started with a car prowl in Lake Stevens and a high-speed chase. Next came a carjacking on the U.S. 2 trestle and a high-speed pursuit that ended at the mall.
A man stole another vehicle at the mall and made it to the Fred Meyer store.
When detectives talked with Compher, they asked if he knew why he had been shot.
Compher told them it was because he had a gun, according to a police affidavit filed in court.
When asked why he had a gun, Compher reportedly said: “Somebody’s trying to get me.”
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
