Case number: OII-2025-0001
Olympia, Wash. (July 24, 2025) – The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) has completed its investigation of a use of deadly force incident that occurred in Centralia, Wash. on Jan. 12, 2025.
OII’s Final Case Report, OII-2025-0001 Final Case Report (Redacted), describing the incident and its investigation is now available on the OII website. You can also find it on the OII investigations status webpage: Status of OII Investigations | OII. The report has been redacted to protect the identities of witnesses who were interviewed and to remove sensitive photos.
The incident OII investigated occurred in an apartment in the 400 block of North Ash Street, Centralia. Just before 11 a.m. on Jan. 12, 2025, Centralia Police Officer Ruben Ramirez contacted Alecandro A. Castaneda, 23, in response to a 911 call regarding a domestic dispute.
A physical struggle ensued during which Officer Ramirez fired his weapon. Mr. Castaneda was shot and died from his injuries. The Lewis County Coroner’s Office reported that Mr. Castaneda suffered two gunshot wounds, one to his chest and the other to his thigh.
The Final Case Report and the entire investigative file were provided to the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, July 18, 2025. The prosecutor’s office was provided time to determine whether they would require OII investigators to provide any additional information.
OII has also provided a copy of the Final Case Report to the family of Mr. Castaneda, the Centralia Police Department, and the attorney representing Officer Ramirez.
The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office will determine whether any charges will be filed in this case. OII does not make a charging recommendation.
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The Washington 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.