PORT ANGELES — The shot came out of the blue, the Port Angeles man told police.
Jodi Hayward, 25, said he was walking in the area of Eighth and Vine streets at about 9 p.m. Monday when he heard a “pop” and felt a pain in his right leg.
He told police — talking with them while in the emergency room at Olympic Medical Center, where acquaintances had taken him for treatment — that he thought he had been shot with a small-caliber gun.
Hayward was stabilized and transferred, according to Bobby Beeman, hospital spokeswoman, who did not say where he had been taken.
Harborview Medical Center in Seattle did not list him as having been admitted, a spokeswoman there said.
Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith said Tuesday that hospital personnel told Officer Trevor Dropp they found shrapnel still in Hayward’s leg.
“Shrapnel would indicate a substance that would be part of a bullet or a [whole] bullet,” Smith said.
Officers interviewed a person who also reported hearing a “pop” and who thought Hayward had been shot, Smith said.
Both Hayward and witness told police they had “no idea” who would want to assault Hayward, Smith added, saying that neither had seen a possible shooter or vehicle nearby.
Officer checked the area and were unable to locate any evidence, Smith said.
He added that hospital personnel did not say if they had removed a bullet from a leg. He expects to receive more information as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about the reported shooting is asked to contact Dropp at the Port Angeles Police Department at 360-452-4545.
Those who want to remain anonymous can make reports through Crime Net, which can be found under the “Online Crime Reporting” tab on the Police Department Web page at http://tinyurl.com/pdn-PApolicereport.
Crime Net also can be accessed via the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Web page at www.clallam.net/sheriff.
