Lacey police kill man who shot officer wearing body armor

LACEY, Wash. — A man who opened fire on two Lacey police officers, striking one in his protective vest, was shot and killed by police Thursday night, Olympia Police Lt. Paul Lower said.

Lacey officers were called to a domestic violence incident between a man and a woman at a home on Axis Street Southeast just off Yelm Highway around 8:30 p.m.

The victim, a woman, had gone to a neighbor’s home, and officers contacted a man they believed was the suspect.

Lower said when the two Lacey officers tried to arrest the man, he fought with them, then pulled out a gun and fired.

One of the officers was shot in the chest, but a protective vest he was wearing stopped the bullet.

The officers then fired back, killing the man.

“We were just hanging in the house watching YouTube videos, we heard some shots, and we ran out to see what was going on,” said neighbor Staci Strowger. “It is just unbelievable. It’s just not something you typically hear over here. It’s generally pretty quiet.”

The two officers had some minor injuries but were otherwise unhurt.

The Capitol Metro Independent Team, which is comprised of members from several police agencies in Thurston County, is investigating.

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