MONTESANO, Wash. A sheriff's deputy was shot and a judge was stabbed at the Grays Harbor County Courthouse Friday afternoon. The Washington State Patrol says the suspect is in custody, but police continue to surround a home near the courthouse.
Grays Harbor Hospital say Superior Court Judge Dave Edwards and Deputy Polly Davin are conscious and in satisfactory condition.
Police armed with automatic weapons and wearing SWATgear have surrounded a yellow house in the 600 block of E. Spruce Street where they had believed the suspect, Michael Thomas, was holed up. Police fired tear gas into the home at about 2:15 p.m, just over two hours after the shooting. They entered a short time later.
At about 2:25 p.m. WSPspokesman Trooper KeithLeary said the suspect was in custody in Tumwater.
Despite that, police continued to cautiously watch the home. It's not immediately clear what they were looking for.
The Washington State Patrol says Thomas was believed to be armed with a black handgun. A spokesperson did not give his height or age, but Thomas is white, has short, sandy brown hair and a stocky build. He was wearing black slacks and a blue button-down shirt. He may have had a briefcase.
Grays Harbor Undersheriff Rick Scott said it's not believed the suspect was scheduled to be in court.
Witness Randy Sutherby said police quickly cordoned off the area. He also said he does not believe the courthouse has a metal detector.
All Grays Harbor County schools and county offices are in lockdown. Montesano schools had early release Friday. All school buses have been stopped and are locked down.
This is a developing story and we'll provide more information as it comes in.
