TACOMA, Wash. — A candidate running for Pierce County Council is under investigation for shooting at a suspected car thief.
Pierce County Council candidate Josh Harris told police he shot at the suspected thief, identified as Scott Ryan Stacy, in self-defense on Monday, according to the Tacoma Police Department (TPD).
Officers responded to the parking lot of a Boy Scout office at 4802 S. 19th St. around 4:48 p.m. on May 30 after receiving a report that Harris had found his stolen property near a homeless encampment nearby.
Harris told police Stacy was living at the encampment threatened him when he went to retrieve his property. While officers were checking the encampment, Stacy drove past officers toward the Boy Scout parking lot, according to TPD. Officers then reported hearing shots fired.
When officers went back to the parking lot, Harris told police Stacy was driving toward him at a high rate of speed. Harris said he feared for his life and fired shots at the car. Stacy then fled southbound, away from the scene.
Officers confirmed Harris had a valid concealed pistol license and that the firearm was registered to him. The gun was taken as evidence.
Around 5:14 p.m. the same day, the car Stacy was driving was found unoccupied near South 31st and Washington Street. The vehicle had multiple bullet holes, according to probable cause documents. Blood was found in the interior of the vehicle.
Stacy was later found back at the encampment. He had a gunshot wound to his head and left hand.
Stacy was placed under arrest and taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injury. After he is released from the hospital, the suspect will be booked into jail for first-degree assault and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Stacy was charged with second-degree assault with a deadly weapon on Thursday. The Prosecuting Attorney's Office said Stacy is not in custody and a bench warrant was issued.
Harris previously made news after he bailed out three TPD officers charged in the death of Manuel Ellis.