Pierce County Sheriff's Police Shooting - Could Have Been Justified Waited Too Long NOT JUSTIFIED

Pierce County, Washington State — On May 8, 2022, a silver 2013 BMW is stolen at gunpoint in Vancouver, WA. On May 9, the same stolen 2013 silver BMW was involved in the theft of a truck in Lacey, WA. Later in the day on May 9 after the truck was stolen, both the silver BMW and stolen truck were involved in an attempted theft at a local high school in Lacey, WA. On May 10, the suspects in the silver BMW robbed a citizen at gunpoint in Lacey, WA. On May 12, the Pierce County Sheriffs Department received information that the stolen BMW was at a residence in the area of 160th and Canyon Road East. Several deputies responded to the area of 160th and Canyon Road, and located the vehicle driving in the area. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver fled from deputies. Deputies located the BMW a second time in the area but the driver fled again. The BMW was located a third time traveling southbound on Canyon Road East. A deputy saw the driver and relayed that the male driver matched the description of the armed robbery suspect in the previous incidents. The 19-year-old suspect was later identified as Bryan Galeana Mendoza.

Deputy Johnson saw the BMW was stopped in traffic at 160th and Canyon Road East and attempted to detain the driver. An additional deputy arrived behind Deputy Johnson at 160th and Canyon Road East. Patrol Sergeant arrived at 160th and Canyon Road and witnessed the ramming. Sergeant advised over the police radio of Probable Cause for Aggravated Assault and initiated a pursuit. First aid was immediately provided to the suspect by deputies on scene. The suspect was transported to an area hospital. The motorcycle the suspect was riding was also reported stolen. A stolen handgun was also recovered at the scene. The suspect is undergoing medical care. He has been charged by the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office with Hit and Run Attended, Attempt to Elude Pursuing Police Vehicle, and Theft of a Motor Vehicle. A female passenger in the suspect vehicle was transported to a local hospital for precautionary treatment. A Pierce County Sheriff’s Department deputy sustained minor injuries.