Two men arrested following investigation into alleged assault 

Two men were arrested after law enforcement personnel responded to a report of an alleged assault involving a weapon at a property on Tilley Road. 

The incident began early in the morning on Friday, Sept. 5,  when Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a disturbance in the area of Tilley Road.

Initial reports suggested gunfire, but investigators later determined that no shots had struck anyone. Instead, the victim had been assaulted with a metal pipe. 

Two suspects were identified and tracked them to a residence in Tenino. When responding deputies arrived, one of the suspects refused to surrender.

“Due to the severity of the crime and the knowledge of an outstanding firearm, K-9, SWAT, and drone operators were requested as a search warrant was obtained for the house,” stated Sheriff Derek Sanders in a social media post. 

During the search, a thermal drone detected the suspect hiding in the attic. SWAT members then entered the space and detained the suspect, who had concealed himself under insulation material. 

The suspects were identified as 40-year-old Drew Lynn Byron and 33-year-old Anthony Jay Smith. Both were booked into the Thurston County Corrections Facility on charges of second-degree assault.