Officer shoots passenger in car that struck him outside Southcenter Mall

TUKWILA, Wash. — A man was shot by a police officer outside Westfield Southcenter Mall in Tukwila after a driver hit an officer while trying to flee from police Wednesday.

Investigators said a man, one of three suspects wanted in connection with either a stolen car or a shoplifting incident, ran from police through the mall.

That man was picked up by a driver outside, who police said  ignored an officer's commands to stop.

One witness was just feet away in the parking lot when the shots were fired.

"(The driver) picks him up, then they gun it, the officer discharges four shots through the front windshield of the vehicle, hits (the passenger)," the witness said.

The officer opened fire, hitting a passenger after the car came toward him.  Though the officer was struck by the car, he was not seriously hurt.

The passenger was shot at least once and was transported to Harborview in serious condition.

The two men in the car tried to flee the area, but they drove down a dead-end alley near a Target store across from the mall.

The driver of the car was arrested and a woman was also arrested earlier.  The third suspect is in the hospital.

Many stores in the mall went into lockdown when the shots were fired outside.

Two friends were at Nordstrom shortly before noon when they heard an announcement.

"They came on the intercom and said there was an emergency outside and that no one could enter or exit the building," said Courtney Littleton.

"I was just scared. I really didn't know what to think," said Sophie Gray.

Jason Cabaya owns a kiosk in the mall.

"Ben Bridge started closing down right as soon as the pop was heard, and then people were ducking down," said Cabaya.

Police said its unclear if the three had been shoplifting or if they had stolen a vehicle.

KIRO