Suspect sought in shooting of man on Capitol Way

OLYMPIA - Olympia police are looking for Robert J. Maddaus, 40, who is wanted on suspicion of firing the gunshots that killed a man whose body was found early Monday morning on Capitol Way.

They named Maddaus as their prime suspect Thursday and also said they are looking for two people they think witnessed the crime: Daniel C. Leville, 39, of Lacey, and his girlfriend, Falyn M. Grimes, 26, of Olympia.

According to police:

A warrant has been issued for Maddaus for first-degree murder, and he should be considered armed and dangerous. He is described as a white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall and 175 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes.

Maddaus, who has had addresses in Tumwater, Rochester and Bucoda, knows he’s wanted and is in hiding, police said

The suspect was driving a dark-green 2002 Volkswagen Jetta with license plate No. 699-ZJT the night of the slaying, but he has access to multiple vehicles. He also might be driving a gold-colored Acura, which might recently have been spray-painted black.

Olympia Police Lt. Jim Costa said Maddaus is thought to be the only person who fired on Peterson. Police want to question Leville and Grimes but aren’t looking to file charges against them, Costa said.

No one answered the phone at Leville’s home Thursday.

The body of Shaun Allen Peterson, 40, was found in the 1700 block of Capitol Way about 2:45 a.m. Monday after several residents called police, saying they had heard gunshots. He died from gunshot wounds, according to Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock.

Multiple shell casings were found near the body.

“My message to the family of our victim is we will get to the bottom of this,” Costa said, “and we will bring the person that is responsible for the death of this person before court.”

Matt Batcheldor: 360-704-6869

mbatcheldor@theolympian.com