Josh Harris, the Pierce County Council candidate who shot a suspected car thief driving toward him, said Thursday he did so in self-defense.
"He drove head on at me and with no place to run I drew my fire arm and shot him in self defense," Harris said in a statement texted to The News Tribune about 6:42 a.m.
The incident occurred Monday near a homeless encampment in the vicinity of Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. Police are investigating what happened. Harris has not been arrested or charged.
After not responding to reporters' queries since Tuesday, Harris, 47, provided the statement which recounts his actions and his reasoning for them.
"On Monday afternoon I met with other citizens who's vehicles where stolen and to retrieve their personal property," Harris wrote. "We contacted Tacoma Non Emergency to inform them of actions taking place because of a known violent and prolific car theif known to be in the area."
Harris said while the group retrieved the stolen items, they saw what they believed to be two stolen cars and a car dolly.
"A person I am helping to get back on her feet informed us that the car thief had told her he knew where I lived and was going to kill me and board my doors and windows and burn my family to death," Harris said.
He left the immediate area and notified police dispatchers of the stolen vehicles, he said.
Sometime later, a car quickly approached where Harris was waiting, he said. That's when he drew his gun and fired, he said.
"He continued driving into an eco block in front of me," Harris wrote. "He then sped in reverse boring down on the officers He drove up a hill, through the WASDOT fencing and continued up the pedestrian bike trail at a high rate of speed."
Harris also listed what he said is the suspect's criminal history. Harris did not say how he became aware of the man's history.
As of Wednesday evening, the man had not been released from a local hospital where he's being treated for wounds. When released, he will be arrested for possession of stolen vehicles and assault, according to Tacoma Police spokesperson Wendy Haddow.
Harris has his own criminal record, which includes theft and insurance fraud.
In May, Harris filed as a Republican to run for the Pierce County Council District 7 seat to represent Gig Harbor and Key Peninsulas, Fox Island and parts of north and west Tacoma. He is one of five candidates — one Democrat and three other Republicans — who filed to replace incumbent Derek Young, who has served the maximum number of terms allowed by law.
He previously told The News Tribune that public safety would be his No. 1 priority if elected.
"Our jail is understaffed, our judges lack accountability, and policy have handcuffed our officers from being able to protect the public and themselves," Harris wrote in the statement he sent The News Tribune on Thursday.
