Officer shot, judge stabbed at courthouse in Montesano
Mar 9, 2012, 11:42 AM | Updated: Mar 10, 2012, 9:20 am
Washington State Patrol detectives investigate the scene outside the Grays Harbor County Courthouse in Montesano, Wash. Friday March 9, 2012 after an unidentified man stabbed a Superior Court judge and shot a deputy AP Photo/The Daily World, Jacob Jones).
A statewide manhunt in underway for an individual suspected of attacking a judge and deputy inside the Grays Harbor County Courthouse in Montesano, Wash. on Friday.
Police say the suspect, who identified himself as Michael Thomas, overpowered Deputy Polly Davin inside the entrance to the building, shooting her with her own .45 caliber handgun. Police say he then stabbed Judge David Edwards, who had come to Davin’s aid.
Greys Harbor County Undersheriff Rick Scott said it is not clear why the suspect was in the courthouse.
“No one recognized this person as having any legitimate purpose at the courthouse,” Scott said. “He obviously was dressed to fit in with people who would be at the courthouse on legitimate business. You know, relatively nice clothing and was carrying a briefcase.”
Deputy Davin had gone down to check on the suspect after police received a report of a “suspicious person.”
The suspect fled on foot after the incident. Police believe he may still have the deputy’s .45 caliber handgun.
Based off a tip, a SWAT team stormed a house where the suspect was believed to be. A half-dozen officers in camouflage uniforms took cover after tossing a device inside that exploded with a cloud of white smoke. The home was empty.
The Washington State Patrol has described the suspect as a white male, about 5’10” to six feet tall with sandy, brown hair. He was wearing black pants and button-down blue shirt at the time of assaults.
Police are unsure if the name he gave, “Michael Thomas” is indeed his real name.
“We have everybody that’s available working on this and we are continuing as I said to try to identify the suspect,” Scott said. “Keep in mind that while this individual offered up a name, we do not know that that name is legitimate.”
Grays Harbor Community Hospital spokesman David Quigg said Edwards and Davin were stable and conscious.
County offices and schools were locked down for a couple of hours on Friday and residents were urged to remain indoors.
This is a developing story.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
