Three shots fired at man killed yesterday; no officers injured

Three shots were fired at the man who was killed by Olympia police yesterday after allegedly wielding a knife at officers, a spokesperson for the Capital Metro Independent Investigations Team (CMIIT) said, adding that no officers were injured in the incident.

Tumwater police spokesperson Laura Wohl told The JOLT that the individual was being investigated for disorderly conduct and pedestrian interference before he advanced on an officer while allegedly holding a knife.

Wohl said a knife was recovered at the scene and has been stored as evidence. Two witnesses told KIRO7 television news that they never saw a knife.

The incident occurred yesterday morning near Sleater Kinney Road and Martin Way.

Wohl the man was being disorderly at an AM/PM convenience store. Staff managed to get the man to leave the establishment after saying he would not pay for the items he picked up.

The suspect then entered a nearby Starbucks, holding a beer while acting “aggressively,” Wohl said. Employees asked the man to leave, but he locked himself in the bathroom and threw items around inside, prompting staff to call the police.

Three officers arrived at the scene and began speaking with the individual. He then left Starbucks and wandered on Martin Way amid traffic.

“He was angry and hostile, making threats about harming officers and others,” Wohl said. The officers continued to engage with the man.

The man eventually left Martin Way and went to the Starbucks' drive-thru area, where there were no vehicles at the time. Officers were still speaking to him, but he became more aggressive.

Police stated that “he pulled out a knife and advanced on one of the officers,” Wohl said. “At that point, the officer whom he was threatening fired his weapon.”

Wohl said the officer fired three times. The shooting occurred about 20 minutes after officers arrived at the scene. 

The individual died at Providence St. Peter Hospital yesterday. Wohl said an autopsy has been scheduled.

None of the officers were injured.

The CMIIT, a team of detectives from the Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm police departments, is investigating the shooting.