Officer exchanges gunfire with fleeing man in North Tacoma

TACOMA, Wash. — A Tacoma police officer exchanged gunfire with a wanted man who refused to pull over Wednesday morning.

The incident started with a domestic disturbance call in the 5700 block of North 33rd Street at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Tacoma Police spokesperson Shelbie Boyd.

When officers arrived, the suspect had already left but officers were able to find probable cause to arrest the man for suspicion of burglary, assault and felony harassment.

Shortly after 3 a.m., a Tacoma officer spotted the man’s car or truck in the area of 37th and McCarver and tried to pull it over, but the driver refused to stop.

The man led the officer on a short chase through North Tacoma. During the chase, the man shot at the officer’s police cruiser and the officer returned fire. No one was hurt.

The chase ended when the suspect’s vehicle crashed into a parked car near North 33rd and North Stevens. The man got out and ran away but was found a short time later.

The suspect is in his 40s.

Phil Davis lives at the intersection where the chase ended.

“He just got out of the car and started going down the street and started running down the street. I believe there were a couple of gunshots fired at that point,” said Davis.

Dave Shaw, who also lives at the intersection said he was awoken by the sounds of police converging on the area.

“I heard some yelling and quick shots — about 3 or 4 — this is all just 100 yards from my house. Fast cars and rapid fire,” Shaw said.

Forensics and crime scene technicians combed the scene for evidence.

The officer who returned gunfire with the suspect was placed on paid leave, per the department’s policy.

“What I would say is if anybody wakes up in the morning and they have video surveillance, or any type of evidence, to please contact us,” said Boyd.

©2023 Cox Media Group