An hours-long standoff in Thurston County ended Wednesday morning with the suspect and a deputy in the hospital. A sniper reportedly shot the suspect after he barricaded himself inside a home.
According to investigators, a woman died of natural causes inside the home. Two of her family members started arguing afterwards and deputies were sent to investigate.
Once deputies got there, one of the family members reportedly would not let medics in, then locked himself inside and shot at deputies.
“It just makes me profoundly sad,” said Jordan Martin, the suspect’s next-door neighbor. “I hear three or four shots. Like, unmistakable. Then I hear someone yell, ‘Oh God’ and start shooting back. Like six or seven shots back.”
Martin told KIRO 7 he and his family were evacuated as the standoff got worse.
He said the man who barricaded himself was the husband of the woman who died.
According to Martin, she had been receiving hospice care.
He told KIRO 7 he understands his neighbor’s pain.
“What he did is not okay, but I can understand if you are married for like 30, 40 years,” Martin said.
Investigators said the man shot at deputies through the door. A deputy reportedly returned fire and another was injured on the leg while trying to get away.
Sheriff Derek Sanders of Thurston County said the man repeatedly shot at law enforcement over the course of the standoff.
“Right now, the SWAT team has a residence surrounded and we are working to extract an individual from inside that residence,” Sanders said Tuesday night.
Investigators said a sniper eventually shot the man, then the SWAT team used bearcats to tear open the back of the house before he surrendered.
Martin told KIRO 7 he texted his neighbor minutes before he surrendered.
“You’re not a bad guy. I don’t think you’re a bad guy. You’ve always been kind to me and my family,” he said. “I don’t know what caused this, but if there is any way that it can end peacefully, we will help you through whatever happens next.”
Martin does not know if he ever read the text, but hopes if gave him some comfort.
“I would want someone to do that for me,” he said. “Having the cops yell at you, blow your door off, this is the worst- case scenario.”
Investigators said the deputy has been released from the hospital. The suspect is still being treated but is expected to be okay.
There is no word on charges.