A man reportedly armed with a gun, who led police on a lengthy chase through South Kitsap Tuesday afternoon, was shot later in the day after another brief chase.
The man, described as in his early 70s, was taken to a hospital in Tacoma. No information was immediately available on his condition. No officers were injured. The identity of the officer who shot the man and his or her agency have not been released.
The shooting took place at about 7:17 p.m. near the 8000 block of Banner Road, said Deputy Scott Wilson, a spokesman for the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office.
Just before 5 p.m. authorities received reports that the man was undergoing mental crisis and there had been an allegation of domestic violence earlier in the day at a house on New Dove Lane. Officers pursued the man’s vehicle through South Kitsap but ultimately suspended the pursuit because of the danger to the public. However, Wilson said officers anticipated him returning to the house and evacuated the residents.
The man was known to be armed and had pointed a gun at his head during the pursuit, Wilson said.
When officers learned the man returned to the New Dove Lane residence -- WIlson said he drove through a neighboring lawn to reach the blocked driveway -- SWAT officers responded.
“Our job is to try to minimize any injury, and eliminate any chance of injury, so we come in with overwhelming force and hopefully the person will surrender,” Wilson said.
The man attempted to escape and drove over spike strips left by officers, which damaged his tires. He made it about 1 mile, to the driveway of a small farm, where the shooting took place.
Details on the shooting were not immediately available.
