3 police cruisers hit by gunfire during wild chase

Yakima police were shot at Thursday morning while investigating a stolen vehicle. A chase ended in a crash on West Yakima Avenue that sent two drivers to the hospital, police said.

Three police vehicles were hit by gunfire, Yakima Interim Police Chief Shawn Boyle said.

No officers were injured and they did not return fire, he said.

Police responded to a report of a vehicle that had been stolen or taken without permission, Boyle said. When the vehicle was spotted near the Yakima County Jail around 11 a.m., the driver took off and police gave chase. The pursuit was called off, but the driver opened fire, Boyle said.

Boyle said speeds reached 60 miles per hour at times and the suspect ran through stop signs.

During the pursuit, three YPD vehicles were struck, including a patrol vehicle where the bullet struck just above the driver’s side windshield.

The suspect crashed into a Roto Rooter truck at South Fourth Avenue and West Yakima Avenue. The driver and suspect of the Roto Rooter were taken to hospital by ambulance.

Boyle said police checked along the route of the chase to see if any other vehicles had been struck by gunfire.

The Washington State Patrol will investigate the crash and the Yakima Police Department will investigate the shooting.

“Police chases are dangerous, but if they try to shoot officers, we will stop them and hold them accountable,” Boyle said.

Roads were closed in the area Thursday afternoon.

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