A 51-year-old hit-and-run suspect is in critical condition after he was shot by an Aberdeen police officer after investigators say the man armed himself with a knife and "approached an officer."
The incident began with a 911 call reporting a hit-and-run just before noon in the 300 block of East Market Street.
"He just came and just plowed into me," said hit-and-run victim Daniel Richey, who said the suspect in a Chevy pickup truck was speeding and ran a red light before slamming into his Ford pickup.
"I mean big time, he was going," Richey said. "And he just kept going. He was going fast. He was running away."
But along with all the damage, the hit-and-run driver also left a key piece of evidence behind.
"When he hit me the license plate fell off his vehicle," Richey said.
Witnesses say the driver pulled into a parking space a few blocks away, and he started walking away. Aberdeen investigators say when officers arrived, they attempted to stop the suspect in the 500 block of East First Street.
Investigators said the suspect continued approaching the officer with a knife and was shot.
"When (the officer) approached the male, the male came at him with a knife in his hand," Undersheriff Brad Johansson said Thursday. "A shooting occurred. A male was injured in the shooting and since then he's been transported to Grays Harbor Community Hospital. He was alive and is currently in surgery."
Police said a knife was recovered from the scene near the suspect.
The suspect is not known to local law enforcement.
The incident is being investigated by the Region 3 Critical Incident Investigations Team.
Police later said the man is 51-years-old, originally from Redmond Oregon.
Richey believes the man who hit him seemed to be running from something or someone, maybe even before the hit-and-run.
"I feel lucky I never got hurt," he said.
In September, Aberdeen officers shot and killed a 41-year-old wanted felon after they say he refused drop a pistol in his hand. That shooting is still being investigated.
Both shootings are investigated by the Region 3 Critical Incident Investigations Team involving several surrounding counties.
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