One dead after Olympia-area ‘shooting involving law enforcement,’ sheriff says
Investigators are responding to a shooting in the Olympia area, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media Tuesday afternoon.
“Deputies are investigating active shooting involving law enforcement off of Hoffman Rd in Olympia,” the Sheriff’s Office posted on social media just after 3:45 p.m. “Expect road closures and use alternate routes.”
Coroner Gary Warnock confirmed to The Olympian that there was one fatality.
Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders posted additional details on social media about 4:30 p.m. He said that the shooting followed a chase.
“A deputy tried to stop a vehicle for traveling approximately 90 mph in a 35 mph zone on Yelm Hwy SE,” he wrote. “A pursuit ensued, resulting in both the deputy and the suspect crashing near Morse Merryman Rd SE. The suspect fled on foot, and deputies heard shots being fired in a back yard.”
He continued: “Deputies pursued the suspect on foot when shots were fired and the suspect was struck by gunfire. Medical aid was rendered to the suspect, however the suspect did not survive. No deputies were injured. A passenger also fled on foot and was apprehended with assistance from K9.”
Sanders said McKenna Elementary School was briefly on lockdown as a precaution.
“The Region 3 Critical Investigation Team and the Office of Independent Investigation will be leading the investigation,” Sanders wrote.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Mike Brooks confirmed that deputies fired their weapons, but said he did not have additional information. He clarified that there is no ongoing danger to the community.
OII spokesperson Hector Castro confirmed that the office is investigating, and said he could not immediately provide further information.
The Olympia Police Department posted on social media just before 4:30 p.m. that Morse-Merryman Road is “closed between LBA Park and Wiggins Rd for a shooting investigation involving the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.”
The post said that they “expect this will be an extended closure. Please avoid the area and use alternate routes.”
Further details were not immediately available. Check back for updates.
This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 4:55 PM.
