Armed gang member flees traffic stop -- Incident forces Blue Ridge into lock down

Armed gang member flees traffic stop -- Incident forces Blue Ridge into lock down

Statement from Walla Walla Police Department: Date - December 1, 2010

A known gang member was arrested in Fort Walla Walla Park late this morning after running from his vehicle during a traffic stop on Myra Road. A College Place Police Officer had stopped the suspects vehicle for a traffic violation at the Myra Road entrance to Fort Walla Walla Park.

The gang member briefly confronted the Officer from a distance, then turned and ran into the wooded area of the park, near the creek. As the suspect fled, the Officer observed the butt of a semi-auto handgun under his shirt.

Walla Walla Police Officers and Sheriff's Deputies responded quickly to seal the perimeter to the park and adjacent roadways to prevent the 15-year-old from escaping. The Emergency Services Unit's SWAT team happened to be training at the time and also responded.

The teen was arrested without incident by after being spotted in the woods by a WWPD Traffic Officer about 90 minutes after the incident began. He is being held on a previously issued arrest warrant, with charges pending from this incident. At the time of this writing, law enforcement are searching the park for the handgun.

During the incident, staff at Blue Ridge Elementary School were notified and placed the school in lock down.

There were no injuries to law enforcement or the suspect.

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Additional information:
Tim Bennett #245
Public Information Officer
Walla Walla Police Dept.
(509)524-4381