Investigators: Shots fired in Auburn not directed at police

AUBURN, Wash. — Two men were detained overnight in Auburn after a shooting that was initially believed to have targeted police.

At one point, KIRO 7 heard police over a scanner describe it as an "officer ambush.”

Auburn police said that at 1:10 a.m. Thursday, officers were conducting a traffic stop in the 1900 block of A Street Southeast when they heard multiple gunshots which they believed were directed toward them.

Officers took cover and radioed for help.  Officers from several surrounding agencies responded.

While officers were investigating the scene, a driver approached them and said that they had been involved in a crash near the 1700 block of A street Southeast.  After the crash, the driver of the second car had fired several shots at them and then fled the area.

Investigators determined that the shooting was more than likely the source of the gunshots the officers initially believed were directed at them.

The victim in the road rage crash and shooting was able to provide a description of the vehicle.

At about 2 a.m., a King County deputy who had been in the area to help, found the possible suspect vehicle at the Auburn Travel Lodge on 16th Street Northwest.

Officers detained two people in the vehicle and saw a pistol inside. The victim of the road rage incident was able to identify the vehicle and the driver was taken into custody.

The suspect, a 37-year-old man, was arrested and booked into the SCORE jail for investigation of first-degree assault. His vehicle was impounded pending a search warrant.

No injuries were reported.

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