LONG BEACH, Wash. - The gunman who shot Washington State Patrol Trooper Scott Johnson was still on the loose Sunday morning, a day after he shot Johnson in the back of the head.
Troopers are asking the public to call two tip lines if they have information. Those outside Washington state should call 1-360-405-6650 and Washington residents should call 1-800-283-7808.
"Some of the leads we're following are based on a combination of two tips received in different calls," said WSP Captain Steve Sutton. "People should not hesitate to call with information, even if they think it's minor or irrelevant. Paired with information from other calls, that minor tidbit could be the case-breaker."
Johnson was shot shortly before 1 a.m. along State Route 103. Two Washington State Patrol troopers had stopped a driver for suspicion of DUI. The female driver was pulled over in Pacific County near Long Beach on State Route 103 just after 1 a.m. The woman was arrested and one of the troopers then took the woman to jail.
The other officer, Johnson, waited with her vehicle for a tow truck operator to come pick it up.
A man walked up and had a short exchange with Johnson and the tow truck driver, then pulled out a handgun and shot Johnson twice, including once to the head.
The State Patrol said Johnson returned fire but it wasn't known if the man was hit. Johnson was taken to a hospital in Long Beach, then to a hospital in Portland, where he continues to show improvement.
"Despite having been shot in the head, he was laughing and joking with those around him," said WSP Chief John Batiste. "His behavior today sets a new standard for professionalism and heroism."
WSP Capt. Bob Johnson said at a press conference Saturday afternoon that Trooper Johnson is in stable condition and was able to talke to Gov. Chris Gregoire via phone.
"Given the circumstances, this being a near-death incident, he's very fortunate to be in as good a shape as he is at the moment," said Capt. Johnson.
Gregoire said in a press release that the shooting was another reminder of why Washington state needs to strengthen the protection of its law enforcement officers.
"Trooper Johnson and all of our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve us. They are true heroes," Gregoire said in a statement. "I stand with the entire law enforcement community during this difficult time."
A $26,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the shooter's arrest.
“I know that local citizens are outraged at the ambush of a police officer who has served them so well for so long. We have every confidence that we’ll get the tip we need to solve this case,” said Batiste.
The suspect is described as a white male, 35-40 years old with light tan complexion. He is 5'10" to 5'11" tall, and weighed about 185 - 200 pounds. He was wearing a dark colored insulated shirt and possibly a knit cap.
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