Judge stabbed in Washington, Deputy Sheriff shot, Suspect flees

Michael Thomas, wearing a blue buttoned down shirt and black pants and carrying a brief case is running from Washington state in a hurry as he is being sought for the stabbing of a superior court judge in Montesano, Washington at the Grays Harbor County Courthouse. The judges deputy sheriff was also shot. Both have been taken to the hospital for treatment but their condition is not yet available.

judge was stabbed and a sheriff's deputy was shot this afternoon at the Grays Harbor County Courthouse in southwestern Washington state, authorities say. A suspect is being sought. Update at 4:25 p.m. ET: A SWAT team has surrounded a Montesano, Wash., home where the suspect, identified by state police as Michael Thomas, is believed to be hiding, KIRO-TV says. Update at 4:05 p.m. ET: The superior court judge was stabbed in the neck and a female county jail deputy was shot in the shoulder, KIRO-TV reports. Police had received a report of a suspicious person just after noon. The deputy approached the man and a confrontation began, the station says. It's not clear who was attacked first. The judge and the deputy have not been identified, and there is no word about the extent of their injuries. The Washington State Patrol has identified the suspect as Michael Thomas, who may be armed with a black handgun, KING-TV reports.[/q]