The Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office is investigating an exchange of gunfire that reportedly occurred near Oakville before Christmas.
At about 6.30 p.m. Dec. 23, deputies were dispatched to a shooting on Elma Gate Road West, according to Undersheriff Kevin Schrader.
“It’s a rock pit owned by (the Department of Natural Resources) that people will go out and often shoot their firearms,” Schrader said.
The victim was there shooting, Schrader said, when another vehicle reportedly arrived.
“So basically he goes there to shoot his firearm. He notices a car kind of pull into the pit and make a U-turn,” Schrader said. “He notices there’s three people in the car, and it’s driven by a white male.”
The driver of the vehicle, a red or brown Honda sedan, contacted the victim, Schrader said.
“The driver asks him for a cigarette, and he tells him he doesn’t smoke,” Schrader said. “The driver of the vehicle points a gun at the victim and fired a round in his direction. Our victim, in his defense, fires five to six rounds back at the subject.”
The victim was unsure if he hit anyone, Schrader said.
“We checked local hospitals seeing if anyone came in as a shooting victim,” Schrader said. “We have not received any reports about that.”
Schrader said the explanations or the individuals behind the shooting are uncertain. With no one else present for the incident, the sheriff’s office is searching the area for possible witnesses or surveillance footage.
