Feds reveal more details in drug bust shooting

A suspected drug dealer's vehicle hit a police officer who was trying to arrest the driver and two passengers in the Safeway parking lot in Toppenish last week, according to federal charging documents.

The officer, a veteran Yakima policeman who has been assigned to the Yakima-based DEA task force for several years, stumbled as he tried to get out of the Lincoln Navigator's path, and the luxury rig hit his leg, charging documents say.

The report does not indicate he was seriously hurt.

Two other officers were almost hit by the Navigator as the driver rammed multiple police and civilian vehicles in an attempt to escape during the June 26 drug bust.

The pair of officers -- a Grandview police detective and a special agent from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration -- opened fire because the suspect was endangering the arrest team and nearby civilians, a federal special agent wrote in the court document.

The new details were included in charging documents filed Wednesday in federal court against the driver, 27-year-old Alvin Lee Guajardo of Sunnyside.

Authorities said Guajardo and his two passengers had negotiated with a police informant to sell about $12,000 worth of meth, which was found in the vehicle.

Guajardo was transferred this week from a Yakima hospital to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for additional surgery related to his multiple gunshot wounds, authorities said. It's not clear when he will be returned to Yakima for arraignment.

Federal prosecutors said Thursday they were still waiting for more reports before considering whether to charge the other two suspects in U.S. District Court. They have already been charged in Yakima County Superior Court with possessing methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Detectives are expected to send their report on the shooting to county Prosecuting Attorney Ron Zirkle for his review. That may happen by late next week, Chief Criminal Deputy Ed Campbell said.

The sheriff's office is leading the shooting investigation at the request of Toppenish police.

The drug bust was coordinated by the DEA, with help from three regional drug task forces and other local officers.

* Mark Morey can be reached at 577-7671 or mmorey@yakimaherald.com.

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