Holly MatkinUpdate: Investigators have determined that Officer Jonathan Shoop was caught in the crossfire as his field training officer fired back at the suspect who opened fire on their patrol vehicle.
Bothell, WA – Bothell Police Department (BPD) Officer Jonathan Shoop was murdered in the line of duty while trying to stop a fleeing driver on Monday night.
A second BPD officer was also wounded in the attack.
The incident began at approximately 9:40 p.m. on July 13, when Officer Shoop, 32, tried to pull over the driver of a black Pontiac G6 on Highway 522 westbound, The Daily Herald reported.
The driver, later identified as 37-year-old Henry Eugene Washington, refused to stop and led the officers on a brief pursuit, police said.
At one point during the chase, Washington allegedly crashed into a 20-year-old pedestrian who was riding a scooter in a crosswalk, The Daily Herald reported.
The Pontiac then barreled through the center median before stopping in the 10300-block of Woodinville Drive.
“According to video footage and witnesses, a male exited the Pontiac and walked towards the police SUV while firing a handgun at it,” the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART) said in a press release on Tuesday, according to KING.
“The male then ran from the scene as the police SUV continued forward, glanced off the Pontiac and rolled several hundred yards before coming to a stop against a tree,” the SMART said.
According to investigators, Officer Shoop’s partner returned fire from the passenger seat of the patrol vehicle, KING reported.
Washington fled the scene following the exchange of gunfire.
Officer Shoop died from his wounds at the scene, the BPD said in a press release on Tuesday afternoon.
His wounded partner was rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, The Daily Herald reported.
He was treated and released on Tuesday, police said.
The injured pedestrian was listed in satisfactory condition at Harborview Medical Center, The Daily Herald reported.
Police said they located Washington hiding on the roof of a building in the 10000-block of Main Street near the scene of the attack at approximately 3:40 a.m.
The alleged gunman attempted to climb off of the roof at one point, but ended up wedging himself between two buildings and getting stuck there, The Daily Herald reported.
Investigators found a handgun hidden in the suspect’s pants, according to My Everett News.
He also allegedly confessed to being behind the wheel of the Pontiac, fleeing the scene of the stop, slamming into the pedestrian, and opening fire on police, according to investigators.
Washington was booked into the King County Jail on suspicion of vehicular assault, felony assault, and homicide, The Daily Herald reported.
The BPD announced Officer Shoop’s murder “with a very heavy heart” on Tuesday afternoon.
“Jonathan was a dedicated officer who served the City of Bothell with professionalism and compassion,” the department said. “Jonathan was well liked amongst his peers and throughout the community. Officer Jonathan Shoop will be dearly missed.”
Officer Shoop served in the U.S. Coast Guard prior to joining BPD on June 3, 2019.
He also spent time working with Washington State Ferries and as a team manager at Amazon, his brother, Evan Shoop, told The Seattle Times.
“He wore a few hats, but he always wanted to be a police officer,” Evan Shoop explained. “He wanted to do the service thing while he had a chance. He was always drawn to it.”
He said his brother was a “local kid through and through,” having lived his entire life in the Seattle area.
“He was always available for people, and just always wanted to do the right thing,” Evan Shoop told The Seattle Times. “It’s just so tough. We’re just missing our baby brother.”
Officer Shoop’s murder is believed to be the first line-of-duty death in the history of his department, KING reported.
“Something like this has never occurred with the Bothell Police Department that we are aware of,” BPD Captain Mike Johnson told the Woodinville Weekly. “We don’t believe a Bothell Police Officer has ever been killed in the line of duty.”
Bothell City Manager Jennifer Phillips said that Officer Shoop’s death has been “a horrific event” for the entire city, The Seattle Times reported.
“You have to pause and really comprehend that this is happening in our community. It’s truly a shock and it’s devastating. Our hearts are broken,” Phillips said.
Officer Shoop leaves behind his fiancé, as well as his mother and two brothers, according to his department.
It is with a very heavy heart that we identify our fallen officer. pic.twitter.com/wbnrlI6dLl
— Bothell Police (@BothellPolice) July 14, 2020
#Bothell Police Officer placing flowers on squad car outside city hall. Growing memorial for an officer shot and killed last night. @KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/xrqb5BsV3h
— Sebastian Robertson (@srobertsontv) July 14, 2020
Look at this amazing tribute. Officers and people from all over Western Washington have been stopping by this morning to pay their respects.
Officer Jonathan Shoop of @BothellPolice was killed in the line of duty yesterday.
In their grief, Bothell is united. @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/MKw4rymdUD
— Deedee Sun (@DeedeeKIRO7) July 15, 2020
Retired navy trumpeteer shows up at memorial for fallen Bothell Police Officer Jonathan Shoop to play ‘Amazing Grace’ pic.twitter.com/qM0cd9YfRK
— John Hopperstad (@JohnHopperstad) July 15, 2020
All of downtown Bothell is being searched by police, dogs and a helicopter for clues after two police officers were reportedly shot after a pursuit. One officer not responsive during CPR, another in satisfactory condition at Harborview Med. We will have confirmed info in mins. pic.twitter.com/TP6vwKRMGT
— Gary Horcher (@GaryKIRO7) July 14, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Bothell Police Department Officer Jonathan Shoop, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Officer Jonathan Shoop, your life mattered.
