Violent crime spree spans 3 counties, ends with suspect dead
Jan 2, 2026, 8:36 AM | Updated: 3:49 pm
An officer-involved shooting broke out in Everett early Friday morning. (Photo courtesy of the Everett Police Department)
(Photo courtesy of the Everett Police Department)
A violent crime spree that started in Island County ended with a man dead in Snohomish County.
It began when a man opened fire at officers investigating a domestic dispute in the Island County town of Clinton, Thursday night, according to the Skagit Island Multiple Agency Response Team.
A Skagit County deputy and a Langley officer said when they approached a 38-year-old Oak Harbor man at the scene, he shot at them. One officer shot back but did not injure the suspect.
Investigators said the man fled to Oak Harbor, where he forced a driver — at gunpoint — to take him to Burlington. An anonymous caller gave police an address where the suspect was staying.
Burlington police staked out the home and stopped a car they saw leaving the residence. They say that’s when the suspect, who was a passenger in the car, shot and wounded the driver, who then got out of the car as the suspect jumped into the driver’s seat and took off toward Snohomish County with officers in pursuit.
Law enforcement in Snohomish County was called in.
“Skagit County dispatch advised deputies were in pursuit following shots fired from a vehicle and requested regional assistance,” said Everett Police Public Information Officer Natalie Given.
Crime spree ends in Everett
The chase ended in the 6100 block of Fleming Street in Everett.
“Officers attempted to use less lethal means to apprehend the armed suspect initially. However, during the armed confrontation, officers fired shots,” Given said.
The suspect died at the scene. No officers were injured.
It’s unclear if he fired at the officers in Everett. The Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team is investigating.
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