WSP graduates 58 new troopers from the 121st Basic Training
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Patrol (WSP) added 58 newly commissioned troopers to its ranks on Wednesday, January 7, during the 121st Trooper Basic Training (TBTC) and 5th Trooper Lateral Training Class (TLTC) graduation ceremony held at the state Capitol Rotunda. For the 121st TBTC, the graduation marks the completion of more than 1,400 hours of rigorous […]
Police fatally shoot Oak Harbor man after high-speed chase following kidnapping, domestic assault
EVERETT—A 38-year-old Oak Harbor man was shot and killed by police early Friday, January 2, 2026, following a high-speed pursuit from Skagit County that began with a domestic dispute in Island County and ended in Snohomish County, authorities said. No officers were injured. At approximately 4:48 am, Skagit County dispatch advised deputies were in pursuit […]
WSP Trooper assaulted, stolen patrol vehicle leads to high-speed I-5 chase
LYNNWOOD—A high-speed chase on I-5 of a stolen Washington State Patrol (WSP) vehicle on Christmas Day ended in Mountlake Terrace with the arrest of a male suspect. Video footage obtained by TMZ show a man casually walking across I-5 near Northgate Way obstructing traffic at approximately 12 p.m. on December 25. Shortly after a WSP […]
WSP Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting Killed in Line of Duty
TACOMA—The Washington State Patrol (WSP) confirms the tragic loss of Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting #720, who was killed Friday evening after being struck by a vehicle in Tacoma. “My heartfelt condolences go out to Timothy, Tara’s extended family, her friends, her academy classmates, to District 1 Captain Gundermann, and his entire team,” said WSP Chief John […]
Brother of Lynnwood Councilwoman faces theft charge in alleged porch piracy amid conflict-of-interest concerns
LYNNWOOD—In the early hours of August 14, 2025, Joshua De La Cruz, the 37-year-old brother of Lynnwood lawmaker City Councilwoman Derica Escamilla, was arrested on a charge of third-degree theft following an alleged incident involving stolen packages and mail from a residential porch. The case, handled by the Lynnwood Police Department, has raised questions about […]
Suspect arrested after breaking into State Capitol Building and going on vandalism rampage
OLYMPIA—A suspect has been arrested by the Washington State Patrol after breaking into the State Capitol Building Sunday night, setting fire to flags and rooms, and damaging several facilities and historic artifacts throughout his 10-minute vandalistic rampage. According to the Washington State Patrol, the suspect parked his vehicle on the flower bed in flag circle […]
Lynnwood PD’s second Shop with a Cop a success, several more community events to come
LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood Police Department’s second annual Shop with a Cop: Back to School event at Alderwood Mall was a success with over 30 Edmonds School District students walking away with brand new clothes, school supplies, and positive interactions with local law enforcement officers. The event took place at Alderwood Mall on Tuesday, August 19, […]
22-year-old Monroe man passes away after fatal collision on US-2
MONROE—Gavin J Wright, 22, of Monroe was pronounced deceased at the scene after a fatal collision on US-2 roughly 2 miles west from Sultan on September 6, Washington State Patrol reports. At approximately 5:48 p.m., Saturday evening, emergency personnel responded to reports of an incident near The Lodge at Sonneveldt Vineyard at Fern Bluff Road. […]
GUILTY verdict in tragic death of WSP trooper Christopher Gadd
EVERETT—A jury delivered a guilty verdict on June 4, 2025, convicting Raul Benitez-Santana, 33, of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault in the death of Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Christopher Gadd. The decision, reached after just two hours of deliberation, marks a somber milestone in a case that has gripped the region since the fatal […]
Case against accused killer of WSP trooper could be dismissed because of WA state sanctuary laws
EVERETT—Raul Benitez-Santana, 33, the Mexican national who was illegally in the United States and is charged with the 2024 death of Washington State Trooper Christopher Gadd, 27, may have his case dismissed because of Washington State’s sanctuary laws, KOMO News reports. Benitez-Santana’s attorney’s filed a motion to dismiss the case alleging that the Snohomish County […]
