One suspect was killed and another was injured following a shootout in South Thurston County Monday that came after a pursuit that originated in Lewis County, according to a spokesperson from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspects reportedly fled into Washington after an earlier incident in Oregon.
Napavine police located the vehicle at a gas station and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled north on Interstate 5, according to the sheriff’s office.
The suspects had exited at mile marker 88 when shots were initially fired, according to the sheriff’s office. Law enforcement followed the suspects onto Old Highway 99 near Tenino.
KING 5 reported that, at one point, the suspects shot a woman who was driving ahead of them. They then allegedly stole the witness’ truck at gunpoint.
Law enforcement officers with the Centralia Police Department, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington State Patrol and others joined the pursuit, which culminated in a shootout near Tenino where “multiple officers from multiple agencies” discharged their weapons, according to the sheriff’s office.
The shootout resulted in the death of one of the suspects — who has not been named by authorities — and injuries to a second suspect, who was transported to an area hospital. One civilian received non-life threatening gunshot wounds. No officers were injured.
The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office and Region 3 Investigation Team will lead the investigation going forward because some Thurston County deputies witnessed the end of the shootout.
The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office had not responded to The Chronicle’s request for additional details as of Wednesday afternoon. Neither of the suspects have been identified publicly by law enforcement officials.
