SPD: Seattle Police Vehicle Set On Fire, Man Arrested

SEATTLE, WA — A man wielding a burning piece of wood set a police vehicle on fire Thursday in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood, according to police. Investigators believe an officer shot at the suspect during the incident before he was subdued and arrested.

The Seattle Fire Department responded to a car fire near the intersection of John Street and Dexter Avenue North shortly before 1:30 p.m. Several images shared on social media showed a plume of black smoke in the area at that time. Photos captured by local media showed a police SUV with significant burn damage.

Latest: Seattle Police Footage Shows Patrol Car Fire, Officer's Gunshots

In an update provided by police two hours later, SPD said an officer was responding to reports of a man brandishing a "flaming piece of lumber" near Denny Park. Once the officer found him, police said, the suspect threw the burning 2-by-2 inside the patrol SUV.

Backup officers chased the man into a neighboring parking garage where he was hit with a stun gun and arrested, police said. At some point during the response, investigators believe an officer fired a gun but did not hit the man. The department's Force Investigation Team was called to the scene to gather evidence and interview witnesses.

While officers were apprehending the man, police said the patrol SUV became fully engulfed with flames. Medics took one officer to Harborview Medical Center with burn injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.