FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Two Federal Way police officers were shot and a suspect is dead after a confrontation at an apartment complex.
About 12:15 a.m. Tuesday, officers were called to a report of a dispute at the South Ridge Apartments in the 30800 block of 14th Ave S.
When they arrived, they approached a man in a car in the parking lot. There was some sort of exchange between the officers and the suspect, and the suspect opened fire on two officers.
The 23-year-old suspect, a Federal Way man, was fatally shot. The officers were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Both officers were treated and released Tuesday.
The first officer is 30 years old and a seven-year veteran with Federal Way police. That officer was shot in the chest and arm, and Federal Way Chief Andy J. Hwang said a ballistic vest undoubtedly saved the officer’s life Tuesday morning.
The second officer is 38 and has worked with Federal Way police for 13 years. Both are on routine administrative leave and expected to be out for at least two weeks.
“In terms of life and death, we’re talking about inches here and we’re just grateful they’re with us,” Hwang added.
Gunshots also damaged a nearby window of a ground floor apartment.
Hwang would not elaborate if the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot or if he was killed by the officers’ gunfire. He said that would be determined by the investigation. Hwang also did not elaborate on who shot first, but said the suspect clearly fired at the officers.
The road at the scene was closed for several hours during the investigation Tuesday. Officers are also looking for a woman who was with the suspect in the car but ran.