Officer Shoots Man After Altercation

A man shot by a police officer after a dispute at a restaurant was in critical condition Wednesday, authorities said.

The man, whose name was not released, underwent several hours of surgery overnight for a gunshot wound to the abdomen, Overlake Hospital spokeswoman Hope Tuttle said. He was in intensive care at midday.

The wounded man was under guard and authorities were preparing to file charges against him, probably for theft and assault, said police Lt. Bill Ferguson.

The man, in his 20s, lived for a time in Carnation but apparently had been staying lately in a tent in a wooded area near the Tokyo Restaurant in the Factoria neighborhood, Ferguson said.

At 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, restaurant employees called police to report that the man was acting drunk and causing a disturbance. Employees told police he made gestures implying he had a gun.

When they refused him further service, the man threatened to shoot the employees and then left without paying his bill, Ferguson said. Two workers followed him to a nearby auto-dealership parking lot.

The three were struggling when a Bellevue police officer arrived. When she told them to lie down, the suspect challenged her verbally and approached her, Ferguson said.

When he was within 10 feet of the officer, he reached into his jacket and charged at her, Ferguson said.

The officer shot him.

The officer, whose name was not released, was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation of the shooting.