1 man shot, 4 officers injured after protests in Olympia take violent turn

Extremists from both ends of the political spectrum clashed three times Saturday afternoon near the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. Officials said more than 100 officers responded, with representation from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Department and Washington State Patrol.

Filmmaker Robert Zerfing said he was right in the middle of it all.

“At one point, everyone just sort of rushed.”

Zerfing said he’s a member of the far-right group Patriot.

“They started just bashing cars as they were trying to leave. They were heading with clubs, bats, throwing rocks, bricks, all sorts of stuff,” Zerfing said.

Cellphone video showed protesters using a type of pepper spray as well as getting punched, kicked, and hit by objects thrown at them.

Roads near 11th Avenue and Capitol Way were blocked, and demonstrators moved through the downtown corridor.

Sometime later, police gave dispersal orders and declared a riot at Columbia Street Southwest and 9th Avenue Southwest.

Additional dispersal orders were issued, and the “mob” was told to “leave now,” police said. However, the confrontations continued.

Troopers said other agencies were called to help in the response to the riot.

According to Olympia Police, four arrests were made and four officers were injured during the demonstrations. Authorities said one person was shot and a suspect is in custody.

There's been a shooting on the Capitol Campus.
The suspect has been detained.
We do not have any status on the victim.
There have been sporadic confrontations throughout the day. WSP and partner agencies are working together coordinating response to the situation.

— WA State Patrol (@wastatepatrol) December 12, 2020