Multi-county pursuit ends in officer-involved shooting

Published 10:12 am Friday, January 2, 2026

EVERETT — A multi-county pursuit by multiple law enforcement agencies ended in an officer-involved shooting Friday morning in Everett.

Around 6 p.m. Thursday, the Island County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a domestic dispute between a male, possibly with a gun, and a female in the 3800 block of French Road in Clinton, according to a Skagit Island Multiple Agency Response Team press release.

When officers approached the 38-year-old Oak Harbor man at the scene, he shot at the approaching officers, the release said. One officer shot back at the suspect. The suspect continued to fire at officers before he fled into a wooded area.

During the initial investigation by the Skagit Island Multiple Agency Response Team, it did not appear that either party’s gunfire struck anyone, the release said.

Around 7 p.m., Oak Harbor Police Department responded to the reports of a kidnapping in the 100 block of Southwest Lansdale Street in Oak Harbor. A 64-year-old Oak Harbor man reported that the suspect had entered a residence, “pointed a gun at him and demanded to be driven to Burlington,” the release said.

Around 10:15 p.m., the victim dropped the suspect off at an unknown residence in Burlington, the release said. The victim left unharmed.

Around 12:15 a.m., Friday, an anonymous caller told the Burlington Police Department the suspect from the Clinton shooting was at a residence in the 1200 block of Kendra Lane in Burlington, the release said.

Around 4:15 a.m., Burlington officers observed a vehicle leaving the residence. When the officers conducted a traffic stop, the suspect shot the driver of the stopped car, the release said. The injured driver left the car, and the suspect fled the scene in the car.

First responders transported the victim to Skagit Valley Hospital for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

Around 4:48 a.m. Friday, Skagit County dispatch requested regional assistance as deputies were in pursuit of the suspect after shots were fired from a vehicle, according to a Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team press release. Dispatch reported that law enforcement had probable cause to arrest the suspect for domestic violence, first-degree assault, and that he was reportedly armed with a firearm.

The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, Sedro Woolley Police Department, Washington State Patrol and Arlington Police Department pursued the suspect into Everett, the release said. The pursuit ended in the 6100 block of Fleming Street.

Initially, officers attempted less lethal means to apprehend the armed suspect, the release said. During the confrontation, officers fired shots.

The use of deadly force is under investigation by SMART, a group of investigators, technicians, and specialists tasked with investigating police use of force. Investigators are still determining the number of shots fired, according to SMART.

First responders attempted life-saving measures, but the suspect died at the scene, the release said. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine identification in addition to the cause and manner of death.

There is no threat to public safety and no outstanding suspects, the release said. The Skagit County independent investigations team is investigating the suspect’s alleged connections with earlier assaults.

Jenna Millikan: 425-339-3035; jenna.millikan@heraldnet.com. X: @JennaMillikan