State Trooper shot in Long Beach

STATE TROOPER SEEKS WITNESSES TO SHOOTING OF TROOPER

Tip line 1-800-283-7808

(Naselle)—The Washington State Patrol is seeking witnesses to the shooting of a trooper early this morning in the coastal community of Long Beach.

Anyone who witnessed or has information about the shooting is urged to call the state patrol tip line at 1-800-283-7808.

The incident occurred shortly before 1:00 a.m. along State Route 103 near 12^th Street, as Trooper Scott Johnson was inventorying the contents of a vehicle about to be towed. A subject walked up, and there was a short verbal exchange between the subject, Johnson and the tow truck driver. The assailant then pulled a small caliber handgun and fired twice.

Johnson suffered two gunshot wounds, one to the head. He was able to return fire at the fleeing suspect but it is unknown if the suspect was hit.  Johnson was first transported to Ocean Beach Hospital in Long Beach, and then transferred by ground ambulance to Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland.

Johnson is a 25-year veteran of the state patrol. He was assigned to the Pacific County area upon graduation from the academy in 1984 and has worked the area his entire career.

The assailant is described as white male, in his 40s, wearing gray clothing.

Johnson’s family and WSP Chief John Batiste are currently with him at OHSU.

“I am troubled that we’ve had yet another police officer ambushed while performing what should have been a simple law enforcement task,” Batiste said. “I’m exceptionally thankful that Trooper Johnson is doing well, and very grateful for the assistance we’ve received from the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office and police agencies in both Washington and Oregon.”

The driver of the vehicle being towed had been arrested by another trooper for driving while impaired. She had been taken to a nearby police station for processing at the time of the shooting. There is currently no evidence to indicate the DUI arrest and the shooting are related.

The search for the suspect continues.  Anyone who has information about the shooting should not contact the subject but should call 1-800-283-7808.