WSP trooper shot 9 times during Kent traffic stop released from hospital

SEATTLE — The Washington State Patrol (WSP)trooper who was shot nine times in February has been released from the hospital.

The Kent Police Department (KPD) said trooper Raymond Seaburg attempted to make a traffic stop of a suspected DUI driver on Feb. 16 just after 11 p.m. at Willis St and Washington Ave. The suspect fled and crashed into another vehicle at W James Place and Washington Avenue North.

After crashing, the 31-year-old suspect ran on foot and Seaburg ran after him near the Driftwood apartments in Kent, which is where the suspect shot at Seaburg, according to the KPD.

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According to court documents, witnesses reported seeing two people on the ground fighting before the shots were fired.

The injured trooper radioed that he'd been shot and the KPD responded to the scene. Officials said Seaburg was taken to Harborview Medical Center which is where he was until his release on March 5.

Seaburg was near Kent that night because he was on special assignment on Highway 167 to try to prevent gun violence due to an increase in freeway shootings.

Seaburg was escorted from the hospital by law enforcement personnel in honor of his service. He has been with state patrol for 21 years and is part of the Enumclaw detachment.

Jason Joshua Posada, 31, the man suspected of shooting Seaburg, was charged with first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement, unlawful possession of a firearm and theft of a firearm.

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Court documents also revealed a woman who police said was associated with the suspect was also taken into custody.

Posada remains in King County jail on $3 million bail and is set to be arraigned on March 4.