Investigators from outside agencies will gather information on the fatal shooting south of Tumwater. / Courtesy photo by Thurston County Sheriff’s Office
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Detectives, including from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, are investigating a fatal shooting by a deputy in Thurston County yesterday.
It happened shortly after 4 p.m. south of Tumwater on 93rd Avenue S.E.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office reports the deputy was standing on the running board of his backwards-moving patrol vehicle, trying to pull the suspect out from behind the wheel.
The deputy tazed him which had no effect and after colliding with a vehicle on 93rd Avenue, the deputy shot the suspect, fearing for the safety of the public and himself, according to the sheriff’s office.
The suspect had jumped into the driver’s seat and tried to drive off in reverse after punching the deputy in the face numerous times, according to the sheriff’s office.
The un-named deputy is a 19-year veteran of the sheriff’s office and has been placed on administrative leave, according to Lt. Cliff Ziesemer.
The man who died at the scene has not been identified, Ziesemer reported last night.
The investigation is being conducted by the Regional Critical Incident Team comprised of detectives from Lewis, Mason and Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Offices.
Ziesemer indicated the encounter occurred because the deputy stopped to investigate after a pedestrian saw him passing by and ran onto some private property. Ziesemer said the two spoke for a few minutes before the man attacked the deputy.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter