15-year-old found dead during Cle Elum arrest operation

A 15-year-old boy was found dead inside a Cle Elum-area home Monday after deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant, according to the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said it received a request Monday morning from King County Juvenile Court Services to serve an arrest warrant on the teenager, who was allegedly staying at a home in the area.

Deputies attempted to serve the warrant at about 11 a.m. The sheriff’s office said communication with the teenager eventually ended, and he remained inside the home.

Deputies then obtained a search warrant authorizing them to enter the residence and make the arrest. The Kittitas County Regional Tactical Response Team, including crisis negotiators, was called to assist.

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According to the sheriff’s office, negotiators repeatedly tried to communicate with the teenager but received no response.

At about 2:30 p.m., members of the tactical team entered the home and found the 15-year-old dead.

The sheriff’s office said no members of the tactical team fired their weapons during the incident.

Washington State Patrol was asked to conduct an independent review and document the scene.

The law enforcement response prompted authorities to ask people to avoid the area of Big Creek Road off Nelson Siding Road for several hours Monday. By 4:20 p.m., the sheriff’s office said the incident was concluding, and there was no outstanding threat to the public.

The circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death were not immediately released.