News >> Browse Articles >> Crime News

Two Deputies ‘Ambushed’ in Wa., Perp Killed

Washington State Patrol and Lakewood Police officers light flares at a roadblock near the scene of a shooting that involved two Pierce County Sheriff's deputies, Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, near Eatonville, Wash (AP Photo)

EATONVILLE, Pierce County — Two Pierce County sheriff’s deputies were seriously wounded late Monday after they were “ambushed” while responding to a domestic-violence call, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

The shooting suspect, identified as 35-year-old David E. Crable, was shot and killed in the Monday night shootout near Eatonville, sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said.

A deputy, shot multiple times, was in critical condition early Tuesday morning after being flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He was undergoing surgery, Troyer said.

Washington State Policing

• Washington LEOs
• Police Jobs in Washington
• Get a criminal justice degree in Washington
• [TRACKLINK:Become a Cop|http://policelink.monster.com/content/education-resources

A sergeant, a longtime veteran, was shot once and was in stable condition at Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis. He has spoken with investigators, according to a law-enforcement source.

The Sheriff’s Department did not immediately identify either deputy, but both are reportedly married and have children.

The sheriff’s deputies were responding to a report of an “unwanted guest” at a home near Tanwax Lake, 7 miles north of Eatonville and about 18 miles south of Puyallup. The call apparently was placed by Crable’s brother. When deputies arrived at the house, Crable’s brother invited them into the home.

But Crable, armed with a handgun and a rifle, opened fire at 9:07 p.m. from upstairs in the house, Troyer said. Both deputies, who were wearing bullet proof vests, returned fire.

“The brother who was upstairs came down opening fire,” Troyer said. “One brother basically ambushed our deputies.”

A 16-year-old girl, identified as Crable’s daughter, also was in the house.

After gunfire erupted, the girl and Crable’s brother dragged one of the wounded deputies into an adjoining room, barred the door, began first aid and called 911, said Troyer.

“They went out of their way to help him,” Troyer said.

Neighbors also gave aid to the wounded deputies.