Nation & World News
Officer in Washington state in serious condition after shooting
A 61-year-old police officer is in serious but stable condition after being shot in the back of the head in Mount Vernon, Wash., on Thursday night, KIRO-TV reported. The officer was initially taken to Skagit Valley Hospital and then airlifted to Harborview Medical Center, authorities said.
The officer was alert and spoke to medics, troopers said. He was upgraded from critical condition early Friday morning.
The primary suspect who was taken into custody early Friday is a 44-year-old man from Mount Vernon. police said. He was taken into custody with two other males, whom police described as persons of interest. The SWAT team used tear gas to enter the house. The suspect, whose name was not initially given, is well known to police.
Just after 5:30 p.m. PT on Thursday, officers responded to reports of a man shot. When they arrived, they were fired upon by a shooter at the home. Residents around the shooting were evacuated from their homes, and Skagit Valley College staff told people to stay inside and put the campus on lockdown.
Washington State Patrol Sgt. Keith Leary said the officer has been with the Mount Vernon department for more than 30 years.
No citizens were injured during the apprehension, police said.
