One dead, one in custody after officer-involved shooting in Thurston County
A man is dead after an officer-involved shooting in Olympia. The situation began with a high-speed chase, road closures and the closure of an elementary school.
“It’s completely unbelievable that this happened in this neighborhood,” said Vic Lillow, who lives nearby. “It’s such a beautiful, quiet neighborhood.”
The fatal shooting happened in southeast Olympia near the corner of Hoffman Road and Morse Merryman Road.
“All the deputies are fine, all the uninvolved members of the community are fine, so that’s kind of what we’re working on right now,” Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said.
Sanders said deputies tried to stop a car going 55 mph in a 35 mph zone and began chasing it when it wouldn’t stop. A deputy allegedly attempted to perform a maneuver in the pit, causing the suspect and deputy to fall.
“The suspect fled into a yard and shots were fired,” he said.
Sanders said it was not yet clear who fired the first shots. The police reportedly ran after the suspect after hearing gunshots and opened fire.
Sanders said officers provided first aid to the suspect, but he died.
A passenger also got out of the wrecked car and ran but was caught with the help of dogs, according to Sanders.
The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations is currently investigating the shooting.
“The OII will be the one to ultimately determine what shots were fired, how many shots were fired and who fired them,” Sanders said.
Neighbors told KIRO 7 they were shaken, but happy the ordeal was over.
“I never like to see anyone die,” Lillow said. “But in reality, when they are this irresponsible, they put people in danger.”
The officers involved in the shooting are now on leave.
The passenger who fled reportedly had an active arrest warrant. We don’t yet know why.
