FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Case number: OII-2025-0012
Tumwater, Wash. - The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) has reached 90 days into its investigation of a use of deadly force incident that occurred in Port Angeles, Wash.
The fatal encounter occurred around 1:20 p.m. Monday, November 17, 2025. The officers involved in the use of force were Sergeant David Arand, Officer Whitney Fairbanks and Officer Harold Balderson from the Port Angeles Police Department (P.D.). The Clallam County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the deceased was Matthew Tyler Charles, age 39.
Port Angeles P.D. reported it was working with the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team attempting to contact Mr. Charles regarding an outstanding federal warrant and reported possession of a firearm.
According to Port Angeles P.D., during the encounter there was an exchange of gunfire, during which Mr. Charles was wounded. He was taken to a hospital where he was declared deceased.
In addition to Port Angeles P.D., the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and the Sequim Police Department responded to the incident but were not involved in the use of deadly force. No members of the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team discharged a firearm or were involved in the use of deadly force.
As part of the investigation, OII investigators canvassed the neighborhood, contacting 70 homes. To date, OII has collected approximately 40 videos, including 35 body worn camera (BWC) videos and others from residential security systems. OII has submitted 35 items for laboratory testing, including firearms.
OII routinely establishes a tip line when conducting an investigation. One call has been made to the tip line set up for this investigation. The number, (564) 999-3608, remains active and anyone with information can call. All information provided to OII is subject to public disclosure, as required by RCW 42.56, the Public Records Act.
An OII family liaison is assigned to work with the family of Mr. Charles to ensure they remain informed of the progress of the investigation. The family liaison role serves as a point of contact with impacted family members throughout the OII investigation and can connect family members to any needed and available community resources.
The OII Tribal Relations Program has been in contact with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe as Mr. Charles was a Tribal member. The OII Tribal Relations Program is a point of contact for Tribal leadership throughout the investigation and assists in connecting investigators with Tribal leadership or Tribal police as needed.
The OII Director of Tribal Relations also notified the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs (GOIA), which is a requirement when a Tribal member dies in a use of force encounter.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Once completed, a Final Case Report will be posted at oii.wa.gov. No further updates are anticipated until the Final Case Report is released.
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The Legislature created OII in 2021 to conduct independent and unbiased investigations of deadly use of force by law enforcement. The 11-member OII Advisory Board reviews and provides input on agency policies. Web view – News and Updates | OII
For media inquiries, contact Hector Castro, Director of Communications and Community Relations, at hector.castro@oii.wa.gov or 360-870-8115.