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Man dies after being shot by an officer when he charged police with a sword in Grays Harbor County

A 42-year-old man died Wednesday after being shot by an officer when he charged police with a sword in Grays Harbor County on Tuesday night. The man was identified as Patrick West.

Officers responded to a report of a suicidal man at a home in the 100 block of Academy Street in Montesano. When police arrived at about 2 p.m., they spoke to a family member and mental health professionals who were already present.

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A family member of the man had called for a mental health evaluation after he began experiencing psychosis and hallucinations.

Officers were able to talk to West, who lived at the residence. As they spoke with him, West emerged from the basement holding two swords and charged at the officers, striking the fence before going back into the basement.

More family members arrived at the house and tried to talk to West.

West then emerged from the basement again, holding a sword in one hand and what appeared to be a Molitov cocktail in the other. He made threats that he was going to burn the officers, according to the press release.

Officers continued to negotiate until one noticed a laser pointed at them from inside the house, at which point the Aberdeen Reginal Crisis Response team was called in.

Negotiators continued trying to talk to West for several more hours.

West later appeared again with a sword when he was then shot by an officer.

He was taken to Grays Harbor Community Hospital with life-threatening injuries where he later died Wednesday afternoon.

The officer involved in the shooting was placed on standard administrative leave.

Police will be continuing the follow-up investigation over the next few weeks.