Deputy shoots man in Yelm who reportedly displayed gun, charged toward them

A Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputy shot a man in Yelm after the man allegedly displayed a gun and charged toward the deputy.

Around 9 a.m. Thursday, a TCSO deputy responded to a home at the request of the fire department following reports of a vehicle on fire, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders told The Olympian a trailer was on fire at an alleged drug compound.

Authorities noted the home was tagged as a caution for previous violent criminal activity, prohibiting the fire department from responding alone.

Upon arrival, the deputy told a man to step away from the fire, but the man reportedly presented a gun and charged toward the deputy.

The deputy fired several times, hitting the man. Deputies and Yelm officers removed a second gun from the man and gave medical aid.

The man was transported to the hospital with injuries not expected to be life-threatening. No first responders or bystanders were injured.

Outside investigation team looking into Yelm shooting

Per standard protocol, the deputy was placed on administrative leave, according to TCSO.

The Region 3 Critical Incident Investigation Team will investigate the shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.

“The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Yelm Police Department and medics for the immediate response and assistance,” TCSO stated in the release.

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