LUMMI NATION, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A Bellingham man is in custody after striking a police vehicle with his car.

The Lummi Nation said in a statement that police initially responded to a domestic violence incident on Cagey Road on Tuesday, Oct. 29, just after 8 p.m.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater adds that the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Johnnie Hewett, fled the scene before officers arrived.

During a chase with officers, Hewett rammed his vehicle into a patrol car that had an officer inside on N. Red River Road. According to the sheriff’s office, a Lummi officer fired gunshots, but no one was injured as a result of the shots.

Hewett then attempted to escape on foot but was taken into custody nearby after multiple agencies helped close the perimeter and used a K-9 track.

He remains at the Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of eluding police, attempted vehicular assault and malicious mischief.

The officer who was hit inside the patrol car suffered minor injuries and has since been medically cleared.

 

Editor’s note: This story was updated on Oct. 30 at 3:36 p.m. to reflect updated information from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.