69-year-old Tenino resident back in jail after guns, 1.5 pounds of explosives found in home
Sep 23, 2026, 11:08 AM
A Thurston County Sheriff’s Office vehicle. (Photo courtesy of Thurston County Sheriff’s Office)
(Photo courtesy of Thurston County Sheriff’s Office)
A 69-year-old Tenino-area man was arrested for violating his bail when law enforcement officials found guns and explosives in his home.
The suspect, John Cooper, was released on bail earlier this month after he shot a man in the arm in August on the 2600 block of Angus Drive SE in Tenino. The victim, a 58-year-old man, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect and the victim knew each other and lived on the same property, but under different addresses.
The two were having a dispute prior to the shooting.
Less than two weeks after his release on bail, which occurred on Sept. 10, detectives with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office learned Cooper was possibly in possession of guns and explosives in his home.
“Detectives served a search warrant at his residence and located three firearms and approximately 1.5 pounds of commercial mining explosives,” the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office stated. “The Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad took possession of the explosives for destruction.”
Cooper has been booked into the Thurston County Jail for unlawful possession of an explosive device, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, and violation of an anti-harassment order.
This is a developing story, check back for updates
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