On October 9, 2026, around 10:20 p.m., a sergeant was driving through the intersection of 160th St. E and Meridian when a silver SUV, reportedly involved in a drive-by shooting seconds earlier, ran a red light and struck the patrol vehicle.
The SUV fled southbound on Meridian, turning the incident into a hit-and-run and vehicular assault investigation. The sergeant attempted to catch up to the fleeing vehicle, but the patrol vehicle became disabled due to the collision.
A few minutes later, deputies received information that the SUV had pulled into the Fred Meyer parking lot near 176th St. E and Meridian, and the suspects were reportedly inside the store.
As deputies developed a plan to contact the suspects, two males matching their descriptions walked out of the store. Both were taken into custody. Deputies identified one as the driver and the other as the passenger, who had a loaded firearm in his waistband.
The 22-year-old driver was arrested on the following charges:
- Hit-and-Run Attended Vehicle
- Driving While License Suspended in the Second Degree
- Vehicular Assault
- Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle
- Driving Under the Influence
- Drive-By Shooting
- Outstanding Warrants
The 22-year-old passenger was arrested for:
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree
- Drive-By Shooting
A search warrant of the SUV led to the discovery of an open container of tequila and spent shell casings.
The following day, on October 10, K9 Smokey and his handler conducted a K9 track to locate firearm parts after investigators received additional information that the driver had thrown a gun out the window shortly after the collision.
K9 Smokey located a weapon-mounted light in the 16200 block of Meridian. A matching gun slide was also located by a community member who called 911 to report the discovery. Investigators confirmed the firearm was stolen.
Thank you to K9 Smokey, his handler, and the community member whose 911 call helped investigators locate additional evidence.
This remains an ongoing investigation.