Gunman shoots 2 deputies, kills self after wild car chase in Washington

SPOKANE, Wash. – Two sheriff's deputies were shot by a gunman who led authorities on a wild pursuit in Washington state Tuesday afternoon, before shooting himself dead.

The incident started shortly after 4:00pm local time, when two deputies pulled a car over north of Spokane in the far west of the state, The Spokesman-Review reported.

The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Charles Wallace, who was indicted on heroin distribution charges last month, shot at the deputies when they approached his car -- hitting them both.

He then led police on a car chase where he shot at authorities, before shooting himself as they closed in after he crashed his car.

Officials said both deputies were in stable condition at the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane on Tuesday night.

"My deputies are OK," Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich told The Spokesman-Review.

Early reports suggested a second suspect was involved in the incident, but Spokane Police Chief Scott Stephens said at a press conference that no more shooters remain at large and there was no further danger to the public.