Arrested suspect tied to two shootings near homeless encampment on Deschutes Parkway
Police believe the suspect in a shooting that occurred Oct. 27 on Deschutes Parkway in Olympia also was involved in a shooting there on Oct. 15, according to charging documents.
Police have released more information regarding a string of incidents that occurred near the homeless encampment across from Capitol Lake. According to the charging documents, the suspect shot a man in the groin near the homeless encampment on Deschutes Parkway on Oct. 27 following a brief altercation. The man was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Thurston County dispatch later received a call from someone who alleged they were a witness to the shooting, according to the documents. The person said the suspect kidnapped them and held them at gunpoint while driving to Lacey, where the man was dropped off. The witness said the suspect admitted to a shooting that occurred on Deschutes Parkway on Oct. 15.
Also, according to charging documents, at some point in October the Thurston County Narcotics Taskforce conducted an operation and a confidential informant purchased more than 80 grams of methamphetamine from the suspect.
Detectives spotted the suspect driving a Volvo in Olympia on Oct. 28, and Olympia police pursued him through the city. The vehicle was traveling at least 100 mph on Highway 101 toward Mud Bay Road when officers lost the vehicle. McCleary police were then able to stop the vehicle when it was traveling on State Route 8 near Fairgrounds Road in Elma.
Police waited for the SWAT Team and a hostage negotiator to arrive, and SR 8 was shut down for a period of time. Nobody else was in the car with the suspect.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office verified the suspect was arrested by Washington State Patrol for unlawful possession of a firearm, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree assault.
The suspect has a criminal history and had been arrested in Thurston County before for domestic violence, malicious mischief and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to charging documents.
This investigation is ongoing.
This story was originally published November 2, 2021 at 11:29 AM.
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