A Lummi Nation police officer was shot multiple times while investigating a traffic stop incident on the 3200 block of N. Red River Road in the early morning hours of July 28, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).
A vehicle careened into a ditch just before 1 a.m. on the road. When the 37-year-old officer attempted to contact the driver, the driver opened fire, shooting the officer multiple times before fleeing on foot, according to the WCSO.
The police officer, who has not been identified, was immediately taken to a hospital for surgery and was still receiving medical care as of July 29, according to the Lummi Nation.
Multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies responded to the shooting and ensuing search for the suspect. By the afternoon of July 28, a suspect was arrested in Ferndale for attempted murder and booked into Whatcom County Jail.
Lummi Nation chairman Anthony Hillaire asked for unity from the community in a July 28 statement.
“Our hearts are heavy today. One of our own was harmed while serving and protecting our community,” Hillaire stated. “We stand with our officer, their family, and all those working to bring accountability and healing. In times like this, we must come together as one people – strong, prayerful, and united in care for one another.”
The Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Response Team (LEMART), which typically investigates police use of lethal force, is investigating the incident. WCSO initially misidentified the suspect to media outlets on Monday, saying the suspect had provided the office with a false name. The suspect, a man in his early 20s, is being held in Whatcom County Jail without bail.
