LONG BEACH, Wash. -- A Washington State Patrolman shot during a drunk driving traffic stop last week is suing his alleged attacker for $3 million.
Washington State Police told KGW that they believe Martin Jones, 45, was the "trigger man" in the shooting of trooper Scott Johnson Saturday night. He was charged with attempted murder.
Johnson's attorney said Thursday the trooper was on medical leave with bullet fragments still in his head after surviving the shooting.
Johnson was shot in the back of the head in Long Beach, Wash. as he was checking the contents of a vehicle being impounded as part of a DUI investigation along State Road 103 Saturday evening. Read the court documents (PDF)
According to a probable cause document, Johnson was examining the contents of the car of Martin Jones' wife, 45-year-old Susan Jones, who had already been taken to jail for DUI.
That's when a man walking down the road approached and asked police what was happening, thne kept on walking.
A tow truck driver getting ready to tow Jones' car said he saw the man return and come up behind Trooper Johnson and his hand came "up to the back of Johnson's head" before a gunshot was heard. The tow truck driver told investigators he saw Johnson turn his head away.
"After the shot the shooter stepped back and made some kind of a chuckling sound," the witness told police.
Johnson was able to communicate he was shot and return fire.
Martin Jones was later identified by witnesses and arrested.
Johnson was first taken to Ocean Beach Hospital in Long Beach, then by ambulance to OHSU where he was listed in fair condition. He was released Monday afternoon
"He said 'mom I've been shot in the head," Johnson's mother told reporters Sunday at OHSU where her son was recovering. "This is a call no mother ever wants to receive.”
Trooper Johnson is a 25-year WSP veteran. He has worked in the Pacific County area since his 1984 graduation and has four children.
“I am incredibly relieved to see Scott doing so well,” WSP Chief John Batiste said in a prepared statement. “Despite having been shot in the head, he was laughing and joking with those around him. His behavior today sets a new standard for professionalism and heroism.”
After the shooting, Chief Batiste joined Johnson's family at OHSU.
“I am troubled," he said, "that we’ve had yet another police officer ambushed while performing what should have been a simple law enforcement task. I’m exceptionally thankful that Trooper Johnson is doing well, and very grateful for the assistance we’ve received from the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office and police agencies in both Washington and Oregon.”
"Given the circumstances, this being a near-death incident, he's very fortunate to be in as good a shape as he is at the moment," said Capt. Johnson.
Gov. Chris Gregoire said in a press release that the shooting was another reminder of why Washington state needs to strengthen the protection of its law enforcement officers.
"Trooper Johnson and all of our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve us. They are true heroes," Gregoire said in a statement. "I stand with the entire law enforcement community during this difficult time."
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