RENTON, Wash. — A 16-year-old boy has been charged in connection with a harrowing incident where SWAT officers narrowly escaped being shot during an undercover operation.
Prosecutors expressed astonishment that no officers were killed, noting that at least three guns were discovered in the vehicle where the teen and his friends were apprehended. The boy is currently detained at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center.
Days after the intense firefight, prosecutors identified the 16-year-old as the individual who initiated the gunfire. Witnesses had reported seeing young suspects at the scene, and prosecutors confirmed that the teen fired directly at SWAT officers through the car’s windshield as they approached.
RELATED: Officer-involved shooting in Renton leaves 2 injured, suspect in custody
“I saw the shootings and I told my wife ‘come inside right away,’ because we don’t want to hit it,” a witness told KOMO News.
“I heard a really, really loud boom—and 15, 20 seconds later, I heard a second one,” Another witness recounted.
Prosecutors allege the teen fired the shots to prevent his friend’s arrest for a drive-by shooting that occurred the previous day. The incident unfolded in front of a barbershop, causing customers to duck for cover.
“I saw them start shooting the person, and we got outside, and I saw the person on the floor,” another witness said.
The 16-year-old faces charges of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. Meanwhile, his 18-year-old friend is facing multiple felony charges, including first-degree assault.
