FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Update 1 - OII investigating deadly force incident involving Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, sets up tip line
Case Number: OII-2026-0007
Tumwater, Wash. - The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) is investigating a fatal use of deadly force that took place in Lewis County, Washington shortly before noon on Monday, March 16, 2026.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office notified OII of the incident at 12:30 p.m. Monday. The first OII investigators arrived at about 2:30 p.m. More than a dozen OII investigators participated in the response.
According to their news release, Lewis County sheriff’s deputies were responding to a call about a man in distress in the area of Cinebar, a community along State Route 508 east of Onalaska. Deputies found the man in his vehicle and tried to communicate with him. The sheriff’s office reported the man eventually exited his vehicle, approached deputies armed with a firearm and did not follow their commands. Less lethal bean bag rounds were used before two deputies fired their patrol rifles, striking him.
In addition to Lewis County deputies, officers from other law enforcement agencies who were at the scene assisted in attempted life saving measures on the man before he was transported to an area hospital. However, he did not survive his injuries.
OII notified the next of kin. The name of the deceased will be released at a later date. An OII family liaison has been assigned to work with the family of the deceased to keep them informed regarding the status of the OII investigation.
OII will release the name of the deputies involved in the use of force in the coming days.
OII has established a tip line for this investigation. Anyone who may have information should call the OII Tip Line at 564-263-0715. All information provided to OII is subject to public disclosure, as required by RCW 42.56, the Public Records Act.
When OII completes its investigation, a Final Case Report detailing findings and outlining the investigation will be posted at oii.wa.gov and made available to the public.
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The Legislature created OII in 2021 to conduct independent 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
Media inquiries - Hector Castro, Communications Director, hector.castro@oii.wa.gov or 360-870-8115.