Update as of 12:46 a.m., Friday, Dec. 16: The primary suspect of a shooting involving a veteran Mount Vernon police officer has been taken into custody, Sgt. Mark Francis said. The officer shot is in serious, but stable condition, according to KING 5. Previous story: A Mount Vernon police officer was taken to Harborview Medical Center after being shot by a suspect around 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, Sgt. Keith Leary of the Skagit SMART team said. The suspect is currently located in a home near North LaVenture Road and East Fir Street in Mount Vernon. The suspect has continued to fire at police and their vehicles in the area, Leary said. There is at least one hostage with the suspect, Leary said. Police say the suspect has been a violent offender in the past and is well-known to law enforcement. Negotiation teams have made contact with the suspect by telephone. A motive for the shooting is unknown, Leary said. The injured officer was responding to a call regarding shots fired in a residential area, and was described as conscious and alert, Leary said. He is a 30 year veteran of police forces, Leary said. The officer is undergoing surgery currently and is “hanging in there,” Leary said. Police have closed the surrounding area and urge residents to stay clear until the situation is diffused. Skagit Valley College is currently on lockdown. Police from Mount Vernon, Snohomish County, Island County, and Whatcom County have responded to the scene, Leary said. This story will be updated.
