Violent Juvenile Offenders Assault Female Guard at Snoqualmie Detention Center, Escape Facility

Six high risk juvenile offenders were captured early this morning after they assaulted a staff member and escaped the Echo Glen Children's Center facility they were housed in, the King County Sheriff's Office said in a press release.

Around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, six male juvenile offenders attacked a female staff member, leaving her unconscious, took her keys and radio, and locked her in a room.  She lay there unconscious until other juveniles at the facility found her and reported the incident. Most of the attackers in the incident are in the lockup for weapons or assault charges.

King County Sheriff’s deputies arrived and were assisted by troopers from the Washington State Patrol and officers from the Snoqualmie Police Department.

Authorities established a perimeter in the wooded area near the facility, located in the 33000 block of S.E. 99th St., in Snoqualmie. The Sheriff’s Office Guardian One Helicopter arrived to search the area using a FLIR. (Forward looking infrared, thermal imaging). According to DSHS, Echo Glen is a medium/maximum security facility that is not fenced, but bordered by natural wetlands.

Guardian One was able to locate the six offenders using the FLIR. When spotted by the helicopter, the offenders split up into three groups of two and ran in different directions. Deputies in the helicopter were able to direct the deputies and K-9 units, who were on foot in the wooded area, to the locations that the offenders were running or hiding.

One of the offenders was bitten by a K-9 dog while trying to escape. He was taken to Harborview for treatment. The other five offenders were arrested and booked at the Youth Services Center on suspicion of Assault 2, Unlawful Imprisonment and Escape. 

Three of the offenders were 14 years old and the other three were 15 years old. 

--Information from the King County Sheriff's Office