LYNNWOOD—An assault near Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood led to a police chase transpiring in a shootout near the 36th Avenue I-5 onramp last night, Sunday, February 25.

Lynnwood Police Officers were on an unrelated theft call at the Target on Alderwood Mall Parkway around 7:00 p.m. when they witnessed a stolen Hyundai enter the parking lot where it hit a 13-year-old pedestrian and a 15-year-old pedestrian. The vehicle intentionally struck the 15-year-old causing him to fall to the ground with minor injuries, the LPD says.

At this time there appears to be no relationship between the 13-year-old and 15-year-old victims and the suspects within the stolen Hyundai who struck them.

Officers immediately took action and attempted to stop the Hyundai which fled the scene leading to a short pursuit onto the I5 onramp at 36th avenue and 196th street.

LPD Officers initiated a PIT (precision immobilization technique) stop maneuver on the fleeing stolen vehicle where, upon succeeding, the suspects exited the vehicle, before the officers could exist their own, and continued to flee on foot. 

As LPD Officers pursued the suspects on foot the suspects withdrew their firearms and repeatedly discharged their weapons at the pursuing officers. Officers returned fire and the suspects fled on foot.

Three suspects are currently at-large and have since believed to be picked up by uninvolved parties.

Anyone with information on the alleged suspects are encouraged to contact the Lynnwood Police Department at 425-670-5633 or by email at russsattarov@lynnwoodwa.gov.

No officers were physically injured though it is unclear if either of the suspects were injured or arrested.

The Lynnwood Times reached out to the Lynnwood Police Department but, as this is still an active investigation, they were unable to provide additional information including arrests, suspect description, or what led to the assault in the first place. They were also unable to comment whether this incident was believed to be gang related or not.

The Lynnwood PD will release more information as it becomes available and is appropriate, the said.

Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell addressed the incident at the Lynnwood City Council meeting Monday, February 26, stating:

“Last evening there was a deeply concerning incident that occurred in our city, one that is deeply impactful, for our Lynnwood Police Department Officers and for our community,” said Mayor Frizzell. “I’m beyond grateful that no one was seriously injured during this incident including the juvenile pedestrians. This incident could have ended far more violently and for that I am grateful. The level of brazenness and brutality is deeply concerning, eroding the feeling of safety for our members of our community as well as our officers.”

Mayor Frizzell continued that while more police officers seem like the solution it is not the answer stating, “we cannot have an officer at every corner at every road near every building.” She then continued to state we do need more officers, especially more specialty officers in every unit, and ended by personally thanking the officers who responded to the incident.

The Lynnwood PD recently hired five new Police Officers who are working their way through the academy and should be on patrol by mid summer. The Department is still actively working to fill its remaining vacancies.

This is an ongoing story. Please check back soon for updates as they become available.

(THREAD) LYNNWOOD WA (February 26, 2024)- On February 25, around 7:00 PM, officers were on an unrelated theft call in the Target parking lot on Alderwood Mall Parkway. pic.twitter.com/uVx5rAG7bx

— Lynnwood Police (@LynnwoodPD) February 27, 2024

EDITOR’S NOTE: Article updated 8:32 p.m., February 26, 2024, with the latest development and message by Mayor Christine Frizzell.