Centralia detective shoots suspect after he allegedly fires at officers

A Centralia Police Department (CPD) detective shot a man after he allegedly fired at officers and pointed a gun at a train crew, CPD reported via Facebook.

Law enforcement was sent to a report from BNSF Railway of a man drawing a gun and pointing it at one of its train crews passing through Chehalis by the stock ponds, north of Chamber of Commerce Way.

Officers arrived and found a possible suspect. As they drove toward the suspect, he started running to the railroad tracks. While running, the suspect reportedly drew a handgun and started shooting at officers.

The man allegedly fired at a CPD detective and two Chehalis Police Department officers. The man then ran through the brush toward the railroad tracks, and officers from Centralia, Chehalis, along with Lewis County deputies and Department of Corrections officers, responded to the area.

Law enforcement found the man on the railroad tracks, just north of the old Chehalis Mattress King store. A negotiator from CPD began talking with the suspect while authorities formed a perimeter. However, the suspect reportedly ignored commands and kept walking toward law enforcement.

Centralia officer shoots suspect

An officer used a less-lethal foam round on the suspect, but was unsuccessful. The CPD detective then shot the man. The man was immediately taken into custody, and officers provided aid. EMTs from both Medix and the Chehalis Fire Department were at the scene and took over medical care.

The suspect was transported to Centralia Providence Hospital.

Meanwhile, I-5 south was closed as a precaution.

Per standard protocol, the detective was placed on leave. Region 3 Independent Investigation Team (IIT) is reviewing the incident.

“The information being released is preliminary, and this is an ongoing investigation,” CPD wrote in its post.

Once IIT completes its investigation, the case will be sent to the Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.

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