Woman carjacked at gunpoint in broad daylight; suspects lead police on chase through Des Moines

DES MOINES, Wash. - Two people are in custody after allegedly carjacking two people, and trying to carjack a third, before leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a chase that ended in a crash and an officer firing his gun.  

The incident started Thursday when Des Moines police saw two suspects sleeping in a stolen truck that was parked in a parking lot. Officers tried to deflate the tires to prevent the suspects from escaping, but they were able to get away. 

Des Moines PD did not chase them due to state laws.

Minutes later, the suspects tried to carjack another vehicle at gunpoint, but they were unsuccessful and drove off in the first stolen vehicle. The pair were driving on just the rims.

Because they brandished a weapon at the victim, police were able to chase the suspects. Both Kent and Des Moines PD gave chase. 

The vehicle crashed and the suspects got out and carjacked another vehicle successfully at gunpoint.  

Rosangelica Davila recalls the terrifying moments when the man and woman pulled up behind her and her partner's parked car at a gas station, pointed a gun at them and told them to get out of the car.

"They parked right behind us and it was super fast," Davila told FOX 13. "I literally look and my door was already opened. I didn’t even look and my door was already open. I can’t even remember them opening the door, the door was already open." 

Police pursued the suspects in Davila's vehicle to Pacific Highway S and S 224th Street. The suspects, driving on flat tires, started speeding against traffic. 

"I saw the white car with the flat tires coming towards us and I pulled over to the sides and the guy squeezed between three cars and hit my car," said taxi driver and witness, Hassan Warsame. 

Warsame said he and his passenger saw someone get out with a gun in his hand and police swarmed him.

At some point, witnesses reported hearing shots fired. A source told FOX 13 that a Kent officer fired at least one shot, but neither police nor the suspect was hurt.

Although she was left shaken, Davila said she’s thankful things didn’t turn out worse for her family because her two kids at daycare.

The man and woman were taken into custody. It's unclear what charges they could be facing or if they were wanted for anything. 

The officer who fired the shot will be placed on leave, per department protocol.

This is a developing story. FOX 13 will have updates as they become available.