State agency investigating use of deadly force incident in Olympia

The three Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies involved in the use of deadly force incident last week have been identified, amid an ongoing investigation by a state agency.

Deputies Jordan Goss, Marlon Wakefield and Jacob Domeno were named as the law enforcement personnel involved in the shooting that claimed the life of Todd Bass, 44, of Lacey, on April 28 in Olympia, said the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations in an update on May 1.

Gross, 33, has been with the sheriff’s office for 12 years and is assigned as a civil service deputy. Wakefield, 30, has been with the sheriff’s office for seven years and is assigned as a patrol deputy. Domeno, 27, has been with the sheriff’s office for one year and is assigned as a patrol deputy.

All three deputies have been placed on administrative leave due to the nature of the incident, which started when a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Bass on Yelm Highway SE.

The vehicle was allegedly traveling at 90 miles per hour (mph) in a 35 mph zone around 2:37 p.m. on April 28, said the sheriff’s office in a report on the incident. The driver fled after the attempted stop, and a vehicle chase ensued.

“During the incident, both the deputy and the suspect crashed. The suspect fled on foot, and deputies heard shots being fired in a (backyard),” the report states.

“Deputies pursued the suspect on foot when shots were fired and the suspect was struck by gunfire. Medical aid was rendered to the suspect, however the suspect did not survive. No deputies were injured.”

A passenger also fled on foot, but was captured with the assistance of a K-9. The incident also resulted in nearby McKinney Elementary School in Olympia being placed on lockdown because of the threat.

The Office of Independent Investigations is investigating the incident. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

The sheriff’s office has since released footage from body cameras worn by a deputy involved in the incident. That footage can be viewed here. Viewer discretion is advised.

The Office of Independent Investigations has also established a tip line. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 564-263-0728. All information provided to the Office of Independent Investigations is subject to public disclosure.