OLYMPIA, Wash. — A person has died after shots rang out in an Olympia backyard Tuesday evening.
According to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy tried to stop a vehicle for going 90 mph in a 35 mph zone on Yelm Highway SE around 2:37 p.m. A pursuit ensued before the suspect crashed near Morse Merryman Road SE.
The suspect ran off after the crash, and deputies heard shots being fired in a nearby backyard.
The sheriff’s office said they chased the suspect, who was hit by gunfire.
First responders tried to save the suspect’s life, but they were pronounced dead at the scene.
No deputies were injured.
The sheriff’s office did not specify if the gunfire came from them or from someone near the backyard.
Sheriff Derek Sanders told KIRO 7 that multiple shots were fired and that at least one deputy fired their weapon. It’s unclear who fired the shot or shots that killed the suspect.
A passenger in the vehicle also ran off, but was taken into custody with the help of a police K9. KIRO 7 is waiting to hear if they will face charges.
The Region 3 Critical Investigation Team and the Office of Independent Investigation will be taking over the investigation.
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