ARLINGTON — An Arlington-area man allegedly shot himself in the arm during a confrontation with police Tuesday night near Blue Stilly Park.
Investigators believe the gunfire was accidental, said Sgt. Mark Francis with the Washington State Patrol. The man, 51, reportedly was suicidal and at times held the gun to his head.
The incident started about 8:30 p.m. along 220th Street NE, downstream from the park.
A state Department of Fish & Wildlife agent was on patrol and saw the man’s car in the bushes, Francis said.
The man reportedly jumped in his car and grabbed the gun. The agent took cover and called for backup.
Troopers, Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies and Arlington police responded, some of them wearing tactical gear.
A negotiator also began talking to the man, Francis said.
The gun went off about 20 minutes into the standoff. The man then was convinced to throw the gun out the window.
He was taken to a local hospital. He is expected to face criminal charges.
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