A Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputy shot at a suspect during a pursuit on northbound Interstate 5 on Sunday, Nov. 1.
The suspect was not injured by gunfire, according to a TCSO news release.
The names of the suspect and the involved deputy have not been released.
Deputies had been assisting the Washington State Patrol (WSP) with a pursuit on northbound I-5 at approximately 6:18 a.m. on Nov. 1, according to TCSO.
WSP reported that the suspect was firing shots at them, according to information released by Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders.
During the pursuit, a deputy successfully deployed a spike strip.
The vehicle eventually lost control and struck the barrier just before the exit 88 overpass.
The suspect then fled on foot into a nearby fenced area.
Deputies pursued on foot across I-5, up the Grand Mound embankment, and back down to the railroad tracks.
The suspect eventually climbed over a barbed wire fence and fell on to the other side.
When deputies confronted the suspect, the suspect refused orders and attempted to flee. A deputy then deployed a Taser through the fence, according to TCSO and Sanders.
As the suspect rolled over, “a firearm was displayed at the deputy,” Sanders stated.
The deputy fired three shots while retreating backward.
The suspect was not struck by the gunfire.
Deputies attempted to negotiate with the suspect and test compliance but were unsuccessful, according to Sanders.
The suspect reportedly spit at deputies before getting up and getting Tasered again.
Ultimately, the suspect continued to flee into the back lot of a cannabis dispensary.
The suspect continued fleeing in the direction of a nearby Taco Bell, where several deputies confronted the suspect.
Deputies relocated the suspect as he fled across U.S. Highway 12 toward a populated gas station.
A citizen reportedly exclaimed that the suspect had a gun, at which point a deputy deployed a Taser again.
The suspect was then taken into custody and was transported to a local hospital for treatment related to minor injuries from the Taser deployment.
No law enforcement personnel were injured during this incident, according to TCSO.
After being medically cleared, the suspect was booked into Lewis County Jail for attempting to elude and first-degree assault with a deadly weapon on law enforcement.
The suspect was also booked on felony warrants for assault, robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm out of King and Pierce counties.
He was also booked on a Department of Corrections warrant for felony escape.
The suspect has five prior felony convictions for robbery, assault 2nd with a deadly weapon, assault second with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and attempting to elude police in addition to 17 misdemeanor convictions for attempted ID theft, making false statements, malicious mischief, and assault with additional criminal history in other states.
A firearm that was determined to be stolen out of Seattle was located and seized as evidence.
A firearm magazine was also located on I-5 from the pursuit.
The suspect was also in possession of multiple fake IDs.
Additionally, deputies were advised that this suspect is connected to an armed robbery at a cannabis store in Pierce County on Saturday, Oct. 31, where the suspect fired a round inside the store.
Both the suspect and the vehicle match the description from that robbery, according to Sanders.
The information being released is preliminary, and this is an ongoing investigation, TCSO said in a news release.
In compliance with state law the Thurston County Sheriff's Office has notified the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (Oll).
Oll declined the investigation and Region 3 Critical Incident Investigation Team was notified and responded to investigate.
In compliance with the statute, the Thurston County Sheriff's Office will not be involved in the independent investigation.
Once the Region 3 CIT investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Thurston
County Prosecutor's Office for review.
In line with TCSO policy, the involved deputy will be on administrative leave until the investigation and review is complete.
Sanders commended deputies and troopers for their actions during the incident.
“Our deputies and troopers did a fantastic job ending a homicidal crime spree this morning while demonstrating sound tactics, exemplary teamwork, clear communication, and a concerted effort to only use deadly force as a last resort,” Sanders stated.
