The Okanogan County Sheriff says a deputy shot a 61-year-old man who was firing at authorities responding to a report he ran his wife over with a tractor.

On Saturday night two Okanogan County Deputies responded to a domestic dispute on Hungry Hollow Road out of Havillah. Sheriff Frank Rogers says the original call came in around 6:00 PM when it was reported that 61-year-old James J. Landis, had just run his wife over with a tractor at the residence.

The wife was injured after Landis allegedly ran her leg over with a tractor. She was able to leave the scene on her own and went to a neighbor’s house for help. Rogers said she was later transported to the hospital for her injuries.

He said his Deputies made contact with the woman and then responded up to the residence to attempt to contact Landis. Rogers said, when deputies arrived Landis came out of the residence and fired several rounds at one of the patrol vehicles striking it several times.

The Deputies were able to pull out of the driveway and back down to an area out of sight of the residence while calling for additional units. One of the Deputies then exited his vehicle and moved into a field several yards from the house. Rogers said, at the time it was unknown, but Landis had left the residence and worked his way down to the location where the Deputies were at. He said, “Landis opened fire on the patrol vehicle again, striking it several more times, using both a pistol and rifle.”


The Deputy was able to return fire and struck Landis in the hip knocking him down. Landis was taken into custody, transported to North Valley Hospital in Tonasket and then to Wenatchee for surgery to his wound. The Sheriff said, “Landis is being guarded at this time and when released will be transported back to Okanogan where he will be booked for attempted murder.”

Rogers said investigators were on scene all day Sunday. He said, “The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has been contacted and will be investigating the shooting.”

Neither Deputy was injured. Rogers said, “They took a lot of rounds and did an excellent job in the way the handled the entire situation.” The names of the Deputies are not being released at this time.

The Sheriff said more information will be released once the investigation is complete.

© Copyright 2006 by North Cascades Broadcasting, Inc

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