A Centralia Police Department officer fatally shot a man following a domestic dispute call in Centralia, Washington, leading to an ongoing investigation. The incident unfolded around 10:56 a.m. yesterday in the 400 block of North Ash Street and quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation.
Upon the officer's arrival, an altercation broke out between the officer and a male subject, which ultimately resulted in the officer discharging their weapon. KOMO News reported the engaged man received emergency medical treatment at the scene but, sadly, was pronounced deceased. The officer involved also sustained injuries during the encounter.
Per standard departmental protocol, the officer who discharged the firearm is on administrative leave. The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) has been alerted to conduct an impartial inquiry into the events, confirmed by the Centralia Police Department. "The information being released is preliminary, and this is an ongoing investigation," stated a news release detailed by The Chronicle.
The investigation will include reviewing footage from the officer's body-worn camera as part of the department's Body Worn Camera (BWC) Program. However, this footage will be released later, and the department's personnel will be excluded from participating in the independent investigation to adhere to statutory requirements. Details on the incident remain limited as the OII investigation progresses.
The identification of both the deceased man and the officer involved has not been publicly disclosed at the time. Once available, the information will be released by the Lewis County Coroner’s Office and the OII. After the OII’s investigation is completed, the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office will review the case to determine any further actions necessary concerning the incident.
