Deputy fatally shoots Napavine man on state Route 6

2012.1101.deputyshootingsr6

A team of outside law enforcement officers finished up their scene investigation this morning where a deputy fatally shot a Napavine man along state Route 6 near Boistfort.

Updated at 8:52 a.m., 9:11 a.m. and 5:06 p.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A Lewis County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a motorist west of Adna this morning the sheriff’s office said lunged out of his vehicle with a knife.

It happened about 12:17 a.m. on the 2300 block of state Route 6, according to the sheriff’s office.

The dead man is identified only as a 64-year-old Napavine resident.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office: The deputy was on routine patrol when he saw a car parked in a turnout and stopped to see if the driver needed assistance.

“When the deputy approached the vehicle he observed a man with, what appeared to be, self-inflicted lacerations and bleeding heavily,” the sheriff’s office states. “When the deputy tried to speak with the man, the man lunged out of his vehicle with a large knife and charged the deputy.”

The sheriff’s office says the deputy was forced to shoot to avoid being attacked.

Aid was summoned and the motorist was pronounced dead shortly after aid arrived, according to the sheriff’s office.

A team of outside law enforcement officers was summoned to the scene near Boistfort this morning to investigate.

The unnamed deputy is a nine-year veteran of the office. He is being put on paid administrative leave as is standard procedure, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown.

The incident took place at a large gravel turnout just east of the South Fork Chehalis RIver Bridge near Boistfort.

The deputy was alone when it occurred, according to Brown.

Asked what made the deputy think the man’s injuries were self inflicted, she said: Because there was nobody else around.

The sheriff’s office has no reason to believe there was anyone else involved, according to Brown.

She said the dead man’s name will be released by the Lewis County Coroner’s Office, which customarily doesn’t happen until family has been notified.

Lewis County Coroner Warren McLeod said his office is working to locate the next-of-kin and then confirm the identity of the deceased. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.

A stretch of state Route 6 between Spooner Road and Boistfort Road was shut down until about 6:30 a.m. for the investigation, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

It was just 16 months ago when another Lewis County deputy fatally shot another Napavine man. In June 2011, Deputy Matt McKnight opened fire on a 33-year-old man he thought was armed with a knife on a residential street in Napavine.

That incident too occurred at night time, and McKnight said Steven V. Petersen began to charge him.

The deputy was cleared but last month Petersen’s family filed a lawsuit saying McKnight engaged in a ‘shoot first and ask questions later’ approach to law enforcement.

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55 Responses to “Deputy fatally shoots Napavine man on state Route 6”

  1. chris says:

    posted…I was wondering;
    why police couldn’t’ have shot to stop and not shoot to kill an injured 64 yr old man.
    I know the many places they could have shot to stop, being that I am a medical person. I do respect what the police have to face on a day to day basis because my father was an officer in California and would never want police to be in danger.
    I would really like to hear what the community thinks of all the officer shooting deaths in the recent months. Please post your thoughts.
    I was answered by kurt wetzold he says:
    “Police are not trained to kill or wound…they are trained to stop the threat…period. It is simply not possible in a situation that evolves in milli seconds to try and aim at point where not vitalorgans exist. Many people who are shot die not from the location the round strikes, , but from shock or blood loss. When training they train to strike the center mass of the largest body part offered. That is the sum of it. This has been argued for many, many years and the answer is to stop the threat….what ever level of force is used from thethe officers presence to deadly force the amount used should never exceed the amount of resistance offered. The hands kill…if they are not shown or an object will not be dropped, an officer must defend his life. Some individuals die not because they have a deadly weapon, but because they will not obey an order to show theirhands or drop an object. The Supreme court case that is the rule against which all dealy force cases are judged states that only information known to the officer at the time may be considered in wheather the amount of force used was reasonable. His or her actions can not be judged based upon information learned after the fact. When using force, an officer may consider, time of day, location, the criminal history known to the officer, past threats against law enforcement etc… When reading about an officer involved shooting, remember that an officer has only just seconds to make a desicion that will affect his life and the lives of others. Please be careful not to judge an officer or his actions, based soley upon what you read in the paper.”
    I see what he means.

  2. MorningCoffee says:

    DCE – “The Police must have a Citizen Board to stop the corruption.” ….. why not put your extraordinary efforts into getting this put on a ballot…. it would be a true solution to your cause rather than the dirty cops must register thing.

  3. Kyle says:

    I read the documents as well you retard. You are quoting info from a defense attorney, not the facts! The facts are the subject would not take his hands out of his pockets and charged the Deputy. The last info the Deputy recieved was the man was armed with a knife. Lowe you are a minority that believes our Law Enforcement cannot be trusted. Why dont you move to Mexico where some of your rantings might actually have some truth behind them.

  4. The Police have proven that they cannot be trusted in our community and need to wear Body Camera’s. But don’t take my word for it look at the facts…http://www.cato.org/ Most people won’t because the Fluoride has caused so much ADD and ADHD in the community. Enjoy the Soft Kill Eugenic’s platform your local Government has engineered for you!

  5. Joe says:

    DCE you are a POS

  6. MorningCoffee says:

    Free Air & Kyle – beautifully put. Thank you for your articulations and putting DCE’s things back in perspective.

    Sunshinegirl – prayers for your son’s recovery and strength for your family.

  7. lowe fan says:

    such a big fan david…. can i smell your fingers?
    do they still taste like the cheetos your mom bought you?

  8. Kyle how can a dead man hold on to a wallet. Of course it was laying on the asphalt

  9. Kyle says:

    If any of you have actuall visited David Lowes webpage dirtycopsmustregister.com you’ll see that his accusations are bull sh*t and he’s obviously very hostile towards Law Enforcement. He does all this for attention. Like I’ve said before, perhaps he needs to find another Country to call h is home because America, is not for him.

  10. Kyle says:

    LEAVE AMERICA DAVID LOW, APPARENTLY THIS COUNTRY ISNT WORKING OUT TO WELL FOR YOU!!!!

  11. sunshinegirl says:

    Well now we know your main damage Agent Orange. Wow that explains a lot. The father of one of my children died because of agent orange and the story he told me was not the same . The government did not spray agent orange on him you stupid idiot. Those boys over there were supposed to cover up when they used it as a defoliant. They sprayed it on the jungle. The temperature over there was so hot the soldiers did not want to cover up. They were young boys who did not know the consequences of their actions, but now we know what your effin problem is. You should not defile the memory of these boys ever. My sons father killed himself because of what this did to his brain but he knew that he was supposed to cover up before using it and he regreted it all his life. Just like I regret the sun damage to my fair redheaded complexion because I neglected to uuse my sunscreen. Do I think this was a goverment conspiracy ? Hell no. I resent you even more now but at least I know why you are so crazy.

  12. Kyle says:

    STFU “STOP PROTECTING COPS” or is this David Lowe posing as someone esle? Twisted nonsense!!

  13. Kyle says:

    Sandra: It’s called “totality of the circumstances”. Until all of the information is released we wont know for sure. But do not assume the deputy didnt tell the driver to put down the knife and dont assume his injuries were bad enough for him to pass out. Bottom line is a veteran Deputy used deadly force to end an alleged attack. Once more information is available hopefully it will answer some questions.

  14. Kyle says:

    You should be ashamed to talk about any kind of war David Lowe because you are a criminal and can not enlist in any armed forces! SHAME ON YOU! Go get back under the rock you crawled out from.

  15. Kyle says:

    Also, you are talking about defense lawyer narratives, not the facts! Lawyers get paid to try and win a suite. These are not the facts they are allegations from a defense attorney you idiot!!

  16. Kyle says:

    You’re talking out of your a$$ David Lowe! His wallet was found on the Asphalt. He did not have it in his hand. Stop trying to manipulate people for your own twisted ways! And again!!! Get the F*ck out of this Country since you hate it so bad!!!!

  17. saysme says:

    The damage is done, DCI, was drinking floride in the water from a child on, and it has damaged his brain.

  18. Just another message to everyone. I actually go to the courts and get the police reports. I go to the city of Centralia and ask for the Proof that the Fluoride does really have Skull and Bones on the Bags. I go out of my way to video crimes in progress, it’s my right as a citizen Tax Enforcer. These are all things “I” do. If you don’t want to wake up and face reality about the Corrupt System and sit on the sidelines and do nothing to fight the corruption, then that’s your Choice. I’m going to keep waking up the community. Threats of violence and hatred only fuel my fire. Remember Vietnam? My dad does, he gave his life because the Government Sprayed Agent Orange on him for years. During the whole war and after the Government still claimed it was harmless. This is just one of many reasons you should always question the Government. Centralia Keep brushing your teeth with fluoride, your city officials care about your teeth… I’m done posting on this story. Hate On Haters!

  19. Enforcer says:

    I knew you Dirty Cop Enforcer would be the first to comment on this shooting. This officer has the the right to protect him self and others in the area. This is his job and he felt his life was in danger. That is why he carries that gun for- to protect himself and the public. I know you would like the Police to get rid of their guns because you may be the next person to be shot, with the life you live. No doubt you have a problem with law enforcement. He was doing his job – stupid. I do not know what problem you have but every time a officer does his job you can not stand it and have to say something stupid. I think they should have a board for people like you – to decide if you should go to Western State for a mental evaluation . It might be a good idea if you get a job and move on with life. I have been around police officers and have yet to find a dirty cop. I know there is a few but the most of them are the most honest people I know. So Bite my ass.

  20. George says:

    @ Free Air, very well put. Thank you.

    @ Sunshinegirl, prayers coming your way.

    @ Sharyn, thank you for the news. Please keep us posted.

  21. Kyle yesterday I was at Lewis County’s Risk Management Office in the Old court house and obtained the Law Suit. The Conelly Law Firm and the Police reports also state the Wallet was in his hand when he was killed. Do you have a copy of the Law Suit Kyle? I Do….

  22. Kyle says:

    I think that all of the David Lowe supporters on this web page are probably just “him” trying to make himself look better. You are a sick and twisted fool Lowe! Go talk to a doctor and get on some medication, maybe something with extra flouride???

  23. Kyle says:

    One more thing about David Lowe, he refrences Matt McKnight killing a man who had a wallet in his hand. This is entirely false people! Read all of the facts, Lowe is just manipulating things that cops do to attempt to suppor the fact that he is a cop hater. The truth is our Law Enforcement is out there to help us. How many of you have been impacted by something positive that Law Enforcement has done for you? Or maybe your family or a friend? Do you honestly believe that Law Enforcement is some kind of government conspiracy to bring us all down? If this is true, you need to educate yourself and review statistics. Lowe is trying to drag you down a path to his own Hell!

  24. Kyle says:

    AND AGAIN I WILL SAY… DAVID LOWE, IF YOU HATE THIS COUNTRY SO MUCH THAN F*CKING LEAVE! GO TELL ANOTHER THIRD WORLD COUNTRY HOW CORRUPT THEY ARE AND SEE WHERE THAT GETS YOU!!

  25. Kyle says:

    AND AGAIN I WILL SAY…. DAVID LOWE, IF YOU HATE THIS COUNTRY SO MUCH THAT F*CKING LEAVE!

  26. Kyle says:

    David Lowe (in my opinion) is a dirty criminal who should be behind bars, because thats where he usually is! Anyone who says that he is “their hero” needs mental help. He is a sensless coward that blames Law Enforcement for his past mistakes. The fact that a Deputy had to shoot a man is tragic, it always is. PEOPLE, DO NOT MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS UNTIL YOU GET ALL OF THE INFORMATION! Obviously this case is still under investigation and their will be more to follow.

  27. sunshinegirl says:

    Wow the haters are out in full force I see. What a tragedy for all concerned but to the rest of you folks , you know who you are . The folks who recognize the help these public servants give us everyday. I have a request of you. Please Pray for my 26 year old son who had a massive heart attack yesterday in his home. He was rushed to the hospital by all these public servants and he is in St. Petes in the Cardiac unit. He is married and has a three year old son . His heart is in bad shape . I believe in the power of Prayer so if any of you are connected to a Prayer chain in your area or your Church please, please say a prayer for Drew. We would appreciate it. And be grateful that we live in Lewis Co. Where the E.M.T.s and all the other folks at Morton General helped my son Yesterday. Sorry Sharyn I know this is a forum for other things but we need the prayers.

  28. Heather says:

    Again just cause no one was there with him DOES NOT MEAN SELF INFLICTED!!!

  29. Looks Like the David Lowe guy has been able to expose the Centralia PD, and everyone wants to bash him for warning Centralia.
    This guy is a Community Hero. Praise Him! May God be on your side Mr. Lowe

  30. Free Air says:

    This is so very sad on so many fronts.
    A deputy who was just going to check on a disabled vehicle ends up getting attacked and was forced to use force to stop his attacker. We as yet do not know why the attacker was so desperate to end his life, so our understanding of his frame of mind is not understood. I’m sure those answers will come out soon, but in the meantime this once creative and successful local news website has been hijacked by people bent on destroying the reputations and honor of those who serve us all. From where I’m sitting each time they spout their hate it always ends up the same way “Look at me and how I’m a professional victim. Here’s my website. Here’s my video. See how I’m to be pitied”. They always turn tragedies in our community into a witch hunt for “dirty cops” or some other drumhead under the guise of just trying to keep us all safe. What a Crock! Why wait for the evidence to come out when we can shout over the internet, “Get a rope!”, and try to get otherwise good people worked up into a sense of fear. Before this suicide victim was barely cold postings were out suggesting that the police are murdering innocent civilians. This should be the outrage of any normal thinking person!
    This is as free of a society as any on this planet. We have the hard fought for freedom of speech, yet with that freedom comes enormous responsibility that should be taken very seriously. Nobody should expect to yell “FIRE” in a crowded theater and expect to get a pass on the injuries that result under the protection of the First Amendment. Likewise, nobody should be allowed to publicly post comments that try to destroy the reputation of a person without proof and get a pass. Libel is libel. Posting anonymously on the internet with the intent of destroying others should be subject to the same laws and penalties as in the real world.
    I hope these deputies, if found to be acting within the law get a lawyer and help restore fact over this degradation of the First Amendment, and make those responsible pay.
    I also hope that the creater of this local news website makes the choice not to let their hard work be hyjacked by these keyboard thugs. It’s a wonderful resource for what’s happening in our community and deserves better than becoming a tool for those who hate.
    Lastly, my prayers for all those involved, deputy and attacker alike. One is dead, and another has to live knowing he took a human life.

  31. BobbyinLC says:

    Body cams. I have heard a lot of suggestions about the use of body cams on police officers. There are a few issues with these that need to be used. The officers have to be able to switch them off so that when going potty they have privacy. Also who gets to view the videos..does any one want to have a female relative’ s interview concerning tails of a sexual assault to be viewed by everyone?
    Body cams have a place and can serve a good purpose but the fine tuning of the policies really Ned to be worked out. I they can be then the cameras would be a great idea for the protection of officers and the public.
    With the technology available today it won’t be long before they are making an appearance.

  32. Halloween Party Goer says:

    How was the officer able to ascertain that the lacerations were self inflicted? What are the ‘tell tale signs’ of a self inflicted cut? I think cameras are a great idea, considering there is one remaining witness who also happens to be the shooter.

  33. Peter_Newnan Escrow says:

    David Lowe is my personal HERO.

    All you haters out there are just trying to find a reason to blame SOMEONE for a dirty cop murdering an innocent and he fits the bill.

    I tell you these truthes and I say them without compunction:

    David Lowe is NOT responsible for this tradgedy. David Lowe did NOT pull the trigger that killed this OBVIOUSLY mentally ill individual.

    David Lowe should NOT be the focus of your back-woods hatred!!

    If you want to hate something, hate the fact that the Lewis County Sheriff’s office hires thugs and murderers. Hate the fact that mental illness runs rampant in Lewis County and you all just laugh at it!!!

    David Lowe is NOT WRONG!!!!

  34. Joe says:

    How many names do you post under David Low? Cause your the only one on your side…..

  35. Falsetto says:

    “The gentlemen with the knife was clearly using deadly force towards the officer.”

    That’s what Ian Burke said when he shot John Williams in Seattle.

  36. sandra says:

    Why would you shot a man whose is bleeding as bad as the officer said all he had to do was back off till the guy fell down maybe he wasn’t charging to atack just trying to get help did the officer tell him to drop the knife? I wonder???

  37. Rhonda says:

    If you keep yourself on the right side of the law, you have nothing to worry about ! Mr. Lowe, you even give legitimate pot smokers ( medical) a knarly bad taste their mouth !!! The mans obvious way out was suicide by law enforcement! The deputy is the victim here ! Prayers to both the dead man and the Deputy !

  38. The Dirty Cop Enforcer has exposed the Centralia Police and you people want to hate him? What a Shame!

  39. Kyle says:

    IF David Low had it his way we would all just sit around. smoke weed all day and bash on the cops. Do you even have a job Low? Obviously you dont like it it America so why dont you move to another Country?

  40. Kyle says:

    crazyelcchick; to answer your question. A taser is not a substitute for deadly force. It is the same type of force to that of pepper spray. If someone is within 21 feet of you, case law has shown they will still be affective with whatever weapon they are using. Police Officers dont match force with force. It’s to dangerous. If the taser fails the officer would not have enough time to draw and fire his/her weapon. The gentlemen with the knife was clearly using deadly force towards the officer. Its a tradgic case.

  41. Miss Muffet says:

    I have the whole David Lowe arrest!!! I will be posting it at a later date!

  42. SayWhat? says:

    I am personally grateful for the law enforcement, fire department and EMS personnel who assist when needed and give selflessly of themselves for others. Their dedication and deeds seem to be overshadowed by ignorant, bias, negative comments by people who will hopefully never need to dial 911 for a house fire, heart attack, burglary, domestic dispute, fraud, theft, stroke, or any of 1000 things that these people do for us. Gee, Dirty Cop Enforcer – perhaps there is a reason you’re so tainted about the officers and deputies protecting us . . . I can only imagine your rap sheet and record would speak for itself. Thank you to all of those who protect and serve: LE, Fire, EMS and the especially the 911 Dispatchers who always go by unnoticed. I applaud each and every one of you. I am grateful you are there for us.

  43. Joe says:

    shut your pie hole David Lowe. You sound like you need to be locked up. Why dont you smoke a bowl and veg for a while……

  44. OMG Really says:

    DCE- Get a l-i-f-e. While you’re at it learn how to spell. Ur a cop hater.

  45. bill says:

    One tn cop was heard saying that abusing a suspect or giving him a tn ass whipping was part of his job and making criminals understand who was in charge.He went own to say that he wished it was like the old days when you could just take them out and hang jailbirds from a tree .just think he carrys a badge and a gun.

  46. crazyelcchick says:

    Soo why arent these officers using these tazers they have?

  47. pax says:

    I’m glad the officer is okay. Prayers and sympathy for all affected family and frieinds.

  48. CVenard you are so wrong. Police Brutality is going Hot right now. Look at what is happening in Texas http://www.infowars.com/protest-against-police-brutality-hits-houston-streets/
    The police need an overhaul. There called Body Camera’s, after all Lewis County is the Oldest county in Washington State. That means we need to be the First to protect the Tax Payers best interest’s.

  49. CVenard says:

    DCE-
    How can you lump all law enforcement into one category? Your statements and opinons are so ignorant.

  50. I have the whole Matthew McKnight Law suit. The man was murdered by the police. He had a Wallat in his hand.
    Now this. The police are killing the people and we can no longer trust the police. Just look at my Videos of the Centralia PD. The Police are the Criminals…. And I can back up what I say just look at the twitter feed on my web site. The Proof is in the Pudding.
    The Word of a Dirty Cop Is Shit… The Police must have a Citizen Board to stop the corruption. Enough of police investigating police, it is only harming their names.