A 43-year-old Centralia man lays dead in the Anchor Bank parking lot this morning.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A Centralia police officer shot and killed a man suspected of shoplifting a burrito from a gas station this morning as the subject reportedly reached for a handgun as he was being detained.
Police say an officer and his K-9 partner caught up with the suspect in the parking lot across the street and a fight ensued, during which the police dog grabbed the suspect’s arm preventing him from pulling his hand out of his pocket, but then briefly released his hold and the officer saw a firearm.
“The officer then drew his duty weapon and fired at least one round striking the suspect,” Centralia Police Department spokesperson Officer John Panco said.
A clerk at the Chevron service station on the corner of South Tower Avenue and East Cherry Street said she heard one gunshot and peeked outside to see someone laying on the ground outside Anchor Bank.
“The dog was still on him,” Rosie Lopez said.
The call to to the shoplifting incident at the Chevron mini mart came at 9:58 a.m. Firefighters arriving at 10:14 a.m. concluded the patient was deceased; he had a gunshot wound in the center of his chest, according to Riverside Fire Authority.
Across Tower Avenue, a clerk at the Shell station said she had gone out the door when she was told by a customer someone was getting arrested. Nicole Escalante said she watched as the officer struggled to handcuff a man.
“I called 911 cause I thought oh my God, he can’t get this guy under control,” Escalante said. “The guy kept getting back up, the guy was all over the place.”
It seemed like a long 10 minutes, Escalante said.
“He was telling the guy to stop, he kept screaming stop,” she said. “(The officer) reached and pulled his gun and ‘boom’, that was it.”
The dead man is a 43-year-old with a Centralia address, according to police. Escalante said she recognized him as someone who sometimes panhandles outside her store.
The officer, whose name has not been released, has been with the department 15 years.
A group of detectives from outside police agencies arrived to investigate the shooting. Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer and his chief criminal deputy prosecutor joined Police Chief Bob Berg at the scene.
The perimeter of the bank was blocked off with yellow police tape. Yellow markers were set next to items of interest, including on two patrol cars.
A blue tarp portable tent was in place before noon, to conceal the body from passersby.
Panco said the subject was belligerent from the start, when the officer exited his patrol car and that the officer called for backup as they fought.
He described the final moments as the police dog biting onto the man’s arm after the man pulled the handgun from his pocket. Panco said he was told the firearm was multi-colored, as in perhaps black and silver or “blue” and silver.
A team of detectives begins its investigation into an officer involved shooting in Centralia.
I think the cop could have wounded and not killed. Paul was obviously drunk and not thinking. He needed help! The Paul I knew was not dangerous! He would never have pulled a gun on a cop if he werent drunk nor high. He was in need of help!
Good thing the dog was there to help and the store owner yelled help and the cop herd her
I applaud the offer for keeping the area safe, as well as himself and his canine partner. I’m married to a former Arizona deputy and while he misses the job, his health is such that he can’t work at all. He’s also glad that the officers are safe. Good Job!
Even if he wasn’t a police officer he had every right to defend himself. I think it would suck to be a cop and have to see what they see and deal with some of the things they have to deal with and I sure am glad they are there if I need them.
The officer is not at fault. I work my butt off for my belongings, I don’t own a handgun and FOR DARN SURE wouldn’t wrestle with someone who’s occupation is protecting hardworking citizens, elderly & CHILDREN. If an “addict” or ANYONE for all I care has harmful intentions and that mentally unstable, I would hope the police are there to help, especially with an addict who dedicates his life to getting high and couldn’t care less about anyone else. Addiction is a mental choice and NO WHERE near similar to Diabetes. You chose to get high on your own at some point, you don’t chose diabetes at any point.
Come on people?
Good judgment in a life/death situation CPD. No one can predict the man’s next move. HE was agrivated, armed and unstable. With all the home invasions happening right now, LOOK OUT, CPD won’t put up with your SH** and I back them 100%.
I think a single shot center mass is about the best cure for drug addicts I have ever seen. Only the cost of one round…No multiple trips to treatment centers that don’t work.
If one would look beyond Lewis County, they will see that Vancouver PD Officer was shot yesterday during a traffic stop and how a Thurston County Deputy shot a person after he tried running the Deputy over. All within 72 hrs. Don’t try and tell a cop how to do his job. I don’t see them telling “The Lurker” how to mop floors at the Fantasy Shop.
Murder? C’mon folks. Self defense. The guy was killed because he pulled a gun on a cop… noy because of a theft or drugs or hunger. I see hungry people all the time who panhandle and ask for work and ask for help. They aren’t pulling guns on people so guess what? They don’t die. I feel for thr horrible situation that this poor man’s life had become, but he made the choice to carry a gun and draw on a police officer. Anyone think this officer has enjoyed the last 36 hours of his life? The guy probably agonizes over it every waking moment and has probably not slept a wink.
“WhoPolicesThePolice. says:
Monday, June 30, 2014 at 9:36 am
So, stealing food when you are hungry is an executable offense. Or, at least a felony. Did he have a concealed carry permit? I hope not for the sake of the officer because resisting without and 3rd degree theft are not felonies and the law is pretty clear about not shooting people who not a danger and that have no felonious attempt or intent.”
And again what was a well written story gets twisted by cop haters.
Since you are intelligent enough to type, I can only presume you did not read the whole story and made your posting before finishing it. Just in case your still not clear on what lead to a very unfortunate death I’ll clear the whole thing up for you.
HE WAS SHOT FOR PULLING A GUN ON A COP!
I am sorry for the loss of life for whatever reason… however the officer is not at fault. The officer was doing his job and protecting lives. Anyone who has issues with this should be ashamed of themselves. In no way did that officer wake up on Sunday morning and say to himself ” Hey let’s go kill someone today just for giggles”. He was doing his job, no more/ no less. Day after day I read the morbid conclusions that our local police are corrupt. I call B.S. !! I think that the ones who are so negative against our officers have a past with them or are guilty of way more than they let on. Thank you to our local hard working law enforcement for protecting us and our rights on a daily basis.
“Lonnie Parker says:
Sunday, June 29, 2014 at 6:44 pm
It was a murder he didn’t have to kill him the officer could of just wounded him. The guy was a friend of mine he was probably hungry. He didn’t have to die for that”
That’s a pretty twisted way of looking at it.
Of course he did not die because he was hungry.
HE DIED BECAUSE HE PULLED A GUN ON A COP!
Just the latest irrational incident in a seemingly never ending supply – and there is no reason why. At least it’s all in frame.
They only did it ’cause of fame – who? *
* Name the group or song reference and win a prize !
Sad news. the hype of the intro to the story makes you think it must have been a very good burrito. Needless to say, there was a lot more to the story than a burrito.
Officers are not trained to “shoot to wound”. That’s just foolish and ignorant to say that is what should have happened. I wish people would take the stupid burrito out of the equation. It doesn’t matter WHAT he shoplifted, the point is that he DID shoplift. His crime caused law enforcement to be on scene, which is usually the norm when a CRIME is committed. What got him shot and killed was his foolish decision to resist arrest and pull a gun on an officer and his K9 partner. I am sure his intent was not to scare the officer by going for his gun. At that point, the officer has to assume he’s about to be shot at. I am thankful the officer and his partner are alive. I will be praying that his heart and mind will be healed from the trauma that this situation undoubtedly brought about.
This one is so simple. Whether the guy pulled a gun or what looked like a gun, it was his choice at that point to commit suicide by cop. It wasn’t over a stolen burrito, it was over resisting arrest and pulling a gun. I would have shot him too, and I would have shot for the center of the chest too. No way you can make any kind of crime out of this one on the part of the cop.
A taser in response to a gun? Are you kidding? Shoot to wound? Sure, and then get shot in return. Too many people dying? Maybe they should quit doing the things that get them killed. Why blame the cops for the number of complete idiots out there?
Officer, congratulations on an excellent shot. I hope you recover quickly.
Lonnie I am sorry for your loss. However, you can not expect any less when you pull a gun on an officer or anyone else for that matter! I have been raised around guns, and the golden rule is if you are going to pull the trigger make the shot count.
If someone were a real threat to you or your family you would shoot to kill and ask questions later. I know you would because I have known you my whole life!
I got to jump in. Whether he had a concealed weapons permit or was just hungry. One witness said it was a physical confrontation with the officer. Once the suspect pulled a gun the officer is reasonable in feeling in fear for his life. I am sure the suspect wasn’t just going to to try and scare the officer or the dog (who by the way is also a sworn officer in the eyes of the law).
Shooting someone to wound them sounds good in the movies but in real life what if the officer wounds him and he can still shoot back?
Tasing someone with a deadly weapon does not work as it does not remove the threat.
The burrito is not why he was shot. he committed a crime, shoplifting, and when confronted by police HE escalated the misdemeanor to a felony by going hands on with the officer and the pulling a handgun.
I too think drug addiction is a sad thing and once drugs get a hold of people they are not the same people we knew before. I do not praise this event as a means of cleaning the streets of junkies.
It is sad for everyone involved. The man who thought his only option was to pull a gun on a police officer and for the officer who has to live with the fact he has taken the life of another human being.
I know this is said many times and people do not listen but since the investigation is still early and many details have not be released yet why don’t we hold off an pointing fingers of blame? O h yeah because there are some people on this site who are such cop haters they would have preferred to see the officer killed and then would ask for leniency for defending his right to steal and commit crimes.
Oh whether he had a gun or pulled a gun still seems to be only a story two people who have their jobs on the line can tell. To be fair, its not a group of gun owning shoplifters doing the investigation.
So, stealing food when you are hungry is an executable offense. Or, at least a felony. Did he have a concealed carry permit? I hope not for the sake of the officer because resisting without and 3rd degree theft are not felonies and the law is pretty clear about not shooting people who not a danger and that have no felonious attempt or intent.
I absolutely stand 100% behind the officer. This was a veteran officer and when they see a gun they have no choice. The shoplifter only had to go with the officer and he would be alive today. He chose to pull the gun and therefore chose to die. There is something called suicide by police officer. The shoplifter may have known exactly what he was doing. This is police training when a gun is pulled on you. A wounded suspect can still fire a gun and kill you. To the shoplifter this may have been better than living by panhandling – a clear indictment of our social system. Taxes higher than ever and more people out of work than ever before.
Prayers for all the families involved. That officer did not go to work that morning to shoot someone. Their sidearms are like seat belts – you always have it but pray you never have to use it. I also am publishing with my real name as well – and in correct English.
I doubt a poor beggar had a gun! That’s a normal for police to say to pull the trgger.. The guy was hungry and high I am sure.. maybe centralia should bust the drug dealers that sell these drugs? Some of these dealers live next door to cops and they don’t do anything!
it seems that got the police officer must have forgot his taszer at home or this man would have just got a good shock for his tevery .you’ve got a dog biting the shit out of a man’s arm.that probably would have been a good time to use his taszer.but no he chose to use a gun.the police are all too willing to pulled a gun and shoot a homeless person because he may have a mental illness or in this case a gun.was the gun even his or is it what the police call a throwdown.how many witnesses saw the gun.this looks like too much force over 1 burrito but who really knows God and the cop.unless by the miracle of God there was a surveillance tape so the people can really see how it went down
Behind door #1 is a life in which I live under a bridge (or any other available spot by the Skookumchuck) and eat out of dumpsters. I panhandle to get enough to get high. Ill do ANYTHING else to get high if you just ask me. Cant maintain employment and at times life really sucks (when I’m not high).
Behind door #2 is a life in which I own my home. I have a wonderful family and my job is pretty decent. Life is going well most of the time.
Do any of you really believe addicts have a choice? Could it be that you are incapable of understanding their dilemna? I don’t understand how a diabetic feels throughout their day.
Lonnie, the man didn’t die for being hungry. He died because he pulled a deadly weapon on officers.
I think after law enforcement murders all of the drug addicts and mentally ill people they can find, they should next murder all of the type 1 diabetics. I’m a taxpayer and the diabetics are costing me way more than the addicts. For those of you who feel it is ok to kill sick people rather than effectively treating them, hell has a special place waiting for you.
Bottom line is do not fight with officers and pull a gun on them.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
People need to be held accountable for their actions to the level of the offense. If you pull a gun on an officer be prepared to shoot or be shot or both.
Good work CPD, people need to realize that there are consequences for their actions.
How many people have to die at the hands of law enforcement before the rest of you figure out something is terribly wrong with Lewis County? I DONT GIVE A SHIT WHAT THE PRINTED REASONS FOR THESE PEOPLE DYING! Too many are dying!
I have a hunch that the man would have done more than a night in jail. He made the choice to carry a concealed pistol, and he was stealing, and a known panhandler. I am not claiming to know for a fact but odds are he was a fellon in possession of a firearm. If that is the case, he knew he was going to jail for a long time and might have felt the alternative was better. This is just a theory.
Lonnie,
Murder, really? According to the article, including witness statements, state your friend clearly resisted arrest and and was armed. Very simple here, don’t steal other peoples property, don’t resist arrest, don’t pull a gun on a cop and you won’t get shot. The dead guy deserved what he got, period. One less thief to torment local business owners.
The officer was not trained to ‘just wound him.’ No officer is ever trained ‘to just wound.’ If you know anything about law enforcement, you will know that officers are trained to shoot for center mass. Always. Whether this ends the life of the criminal or not, has nothing to do with the officer. The officer is trained a specific way and expected to do things this way. This officer did that. He does not appear to be at fault here.
Bottom line is.. do not pull a gun or any weapon on a law enforcement officer ever. Lives shouldn’t have to be lost over things like stolen burritos.
Glad this didnt injure the officer and partner. The way I see it, is this guy was on a wild one and thank God this duo was able to control the situation before this man hurt an innocent person or child.
Im not pro violent outcomes but there are a lot of scary people in Centralia, so it puts my mind at ease knowing we have such brave officers when we need them. Who knows what that guy would have done next with that handgun. Especially in the fit of rage that he was in. This officer did what was necessary and its not easy to make such serious decisions in a situation like that. He did right.
Man holds up convince store still at large man steals burrito ends up dead. Lol
“There is a lesson here… even if you do bring a gun to a gunfight, you better be a better gunfighter than the other guy.”
I respectfully disagree.
The lesson here is to never fight a cop, let alone try and pull a weapon on one.
Just do what they tell you, then get the details ironed out later.
How dang simple is that!
As usual, there is already someone here who has made an armchair conclusion about this incident based on the few details contained in this article. Unless you were physically there and saw the whole thing unfold and/or you’re one of the detectives assigned to investigating the incident, you should keep your mouth shut. And maybe take some remedial English classes while you’re at it.
m.pedderson i do agree with you 100% i am glade the officer and his partner are ok. i wish people would wise up the guy would have got a slap on the wrist maybe the day in jail and would be on his way. but he had to do something stupid. i hop they clear the officer.
I know of the officer that was involved. Great officer to know. He will treat you like a real person while talking with you no matter what the issue is. I agree with M. Pedderson if you are going to bring a gun to a fight now what you are doing. By what has been said so far in this story I back the officer all the way. The person had many changes to back down and did not. Even with the K9 biting him he did not what step down. He wanted to hurt a cop and did not get the chance. I hope the officer and the K9 are doing fine and the good o’ boy got a big soup bone for his protection of his partner. This was not murder….this was a fight to stay alive.
Oh and I used my real name not hiding behind a nick name.
how ironic they may know colors of so called gun but not what kind fo gun yet the offender is deceased, tip to the wise hungry and homeless people get out of lewis county youll get shot over burritos
Justified or not, it’s still a murder. We’re not talking about a bunch of crows here.
M.Pedderson says.
If you want to read what people are saying about the unfortunate event go to Lewis County Sirens on Facebook.
Glad the officer & his partner are ok. What people are not seei g is that this is a level headed veteran officer. The suspect was resisting and pulled a gun, most people would do the same as this officer to protect themselves. Im sure this was not the suspects only crime in the recent past nor would it have been. It is unfortunate but you do choose your own destiny/path. Don’t hold LE responsible for criminals poor decisions they know that at some point there time will run out. My condolences to the suspects family. But I’m extremely glad the officer was not injured. LE does not get enough credit for what they do. Quit being so quick to judge.
It was a murder he didn’t have to kill him the officer could of just wounded him. The guy was a friend of mine he was probably hungry. He didn’t have to die for that
No doubt some “thinker” will get on here and bad mouth this officer and the CPD in general. Too bad because to me the Centralia PD has a hard job to do and I my opinion are a very respectable department. Too bad someone had to die here but I am glad it wasn’t an officer or police dog getting shot. Good job officer and a Thank You!
Glad to see the officer and his partner are O.K. There is a lesson here… even if you do bring a gun to a gunfight, you better be a better gunfighter than the other guy. Gladly, this officer was as is the case a majority of the time… people should wise up. While I don’t envy this officer’s situation, I do what to acknowledge a job well – done for winning the encounter. Bravo-Zulu sir.
I’m posting this at 5:53 pm. lets see how log it takes for some fool on this forum to call this a murder…