Case number: OII-2025-001
Olympia, Wash. (Jan. 13, 2025) – The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred in Centralia, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 12.
The Centralia Police Department notified OII of the incident at 11:21 a.m. on Jan. 12, as required by RCW 43.102. The first OII investigators arrived and reported to the scene just past noon on Jan. 12. In total, 14 OII investigators joined the initial investigation.
The information provided by the Centralia Police Department was that their officer contacted a man at an apartment complex in the 400 block of North Ash Street. The department reported a physical altercation between the responding officer and the man. The officer fired his weapon, shooting the man, who died from his injuries.
The Lewis County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the deceased once identification is scientifically confirmed. An autopsy will be held later this week.
OII investigators, assisted by members of the Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT), remained at the location of the shooting until just before midnight to complete the collection of evidence and processing of the scene.
Two OII family liaisons have been assigned to work with the family of the deceased.
As of Dec. 1, 2024, OII responds to use of deadly force incidents in Southwest Washington and the Olympic Peninsula, an area designated by OII as Region 1 – West. This region (one of six statewide) includes Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Clark, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Pacific, Jefferson, Kitsap, Skamania, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties.
By statute, OII is required to complete its investigations within 120 days. If more time is required, the agency must advise the OII Advisory Board of the reason for the delay.
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The state Legislature created OII in 2021 to conduct independent and unbiased investigations of deadly use of force by law enforcement. It works with an 11-member advisory board that reviews and provides input on agency policies. To view this on the web, visit oii.wa.gov/news-and-updates.
For media inquiries, contact Hector Castro, Director of Communications and Community Relations, at hector.castro@oii.wa.gov or 360-870-8115.