Child Airlifted After Early Morning Shooting in Olympic National Forest

A child was airlifted to a regional trauma center early Sunday morning after being struck by a bullet during a shooting in the Olympic National Forest, according to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.

At approximately 3:30 a.m. on May 3, the regional dispatch center, MACECOM, received a 911 call from a driver reporting that his vehicle had been shot at. The caller stated that a child inside the vehicle had been struck by a bullet and that he was rushing the victim to Mason General Hospital.

Mason County Sheriff’s Office patrol units intercepted and contacted the reporting party at the hospital.

Medical personnel evaluated the child before airlifting the victim to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for further, specialized treatment. The current condition of the child has not been released.

Through initial interviews, deputies determined the shooting occurred deep within the Olympic National Forest, specifically in the area of Forest Service Road 23 and Spider Lake.

Patrol deputies immediately responded to the remote location and located several individuals who were involved in the incident. Following an on-scene investigation, deputies detained a suspect who was subsequently booked into the Mason County Jail.

The individual is facing charges of first-degree assault, according to the Mason County Sheriff Department.

MCSO detectives have taken over the case and are continuing their investigation into the circumstances that led up to the gunfire.