Deputy fires at suspect on I-5

A suspect was taken into custody on Nov. 1 after a multi-stage confrontation with law enforcement officers on Interstate 5 in Thurston County, Washington. The incident, which began with a high-speed pursuit, resulted in minor injuries to the suspect and no reported injuries to officers.

Deputies from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office assisted the Washington State Patrol with the pursuit at approximately 6:18 a.m. near milepost 88 on northbound I-5. According to investigators, the driver of the suspect's vehicle opened fire on a pursuing patrol car before troopers deployed spike strips to disable the vehicle. The driver abandoned the car and fled on foot into a nearby fenced area.

The confrontation escalated when deputies located the suspect and attempted to apprehend them. The suspect displayed a firearm while attempting to flee again. A deputy discharged their weapon multiple times after the suspect showed the gun. The suspect continued running toward a Taco Bell restaurant where additional officers intercepted them.

Officers deployed a Taser on the suspect during the initial confrontation and a second Taser upon interception at the restaurant. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained from the Taser deployments. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.

The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations was notified of the use of force but declined to take the case. The Region 3 Critical Incident Investigation Team has assumed responsibility for the independent inquiry. That team will release the names of the involved deputies and provide future updates on the investigation.

Once the independent review is complete, the entire case file will be forwarded to the Thurston County Prosecutor's Office for review.