A man shot dead a sheriff's deputy in Washington state, then led officers on a car chase in which he killed five other people before turning himself in, police said today.
Two others were wounded, including a state trooper in Skagit County, north of Seattle, yesterday afternoon local time.
The dead were found at multiple scenes, state trooper Keith Leary told a news conference.
Among the dead were the deputy, who was responding to a call, and another person killed at the same location; two building workers who were found shot nearby, a person killed at another location and a motorist shot on Interstate 5.
A motorcyclist was wounded at a petrol station in the town of Alger and the trooper was wounded in the arm as the suspect raced along Interstate 5, authorities said.
The suspect, who was reportedly known to police, eventually turned himself in at a Skagit County sheriff's office in Mount Vernon.
Mr Leary said the suspect was "someone with a mental illness".
After the shootings in the Alger area, the suspect raced south on Interstate 5 at speeds of more than 90mph, pursued by troopers, sheriff's deputies and Mount Vernon police.
The motorist was killed and the trooper was grazed by a bullet near a rest stop, Mr Leary said.
The first shootings were reported shortly after 2pm and the suspect was in custody by about 4.30pm.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments