Federal agent, spouse accused of shooting neighbor during target practice in Centralia
A federal agent and his spouse face criminal charges after allegedly shooting a Centralia neighbor during target practice.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Crime Laboratory recently determined that the bullet that struck the female victim had been fired from one of the handguns obtained during the initial investigation last year.
Ray O. Critchfield, 42, and Crystal A. Brown, 42, are both charged with one count of reckless endangerment, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and $5,000 in fines.
Critchfield and Brown made preliminary appearances in Lewis County Superior Court Tuesday following a summons. They remain out of custody and await arraignment hearings on June 18.
As part of their release conditions, Critchfield and Brown are prohibited from participating in recreational shooting activities, though Critchfield's conditions allow exceptions for any employer-required shooting.
Court documents do not specify Critchfield's exact role in federal law enforcement.
Other release conditions include no consumption of any intoxicating liquors or use of illegal controlled substances.
According to the affidavit, the investigation began on March 8, 2025, when a Lewis County Sheriff's Office deputy responded to a reported shooting off state Route 507.
The deputy arrived and found the victim and medics at the scene.
According to the affidavit, the wound, which was bruised and bleeding, was reportedly located on the victim's back "near her left shoulder blade," and "looked like (a) projectile had struck her but not penetrated her skin."
The victim, speaking through an interpreter at the home, said she had felt something "hit her back" while in the bedroom, and compared the feeling to "a child smacking her back with their hand."
When she looked down, she saw a bullet on the floor. The woman was later transported to the hospital.
The deputy noted the bullet was covered in drywall and had retained its "original form."
A witness at the home reported hearing gunshots around 3:40 p.m., and said he'd heard gunshots in the past. Those shots, he said, had come from across the road.
The deputy surveyed the exterior of the home and found a bullet hole that "appeared to match the area where the bullet was found inside the residence," according to the affidavit.
A sergeant on the scene recalled responding to a shooting complaint nearby in 2020. That home was located on a hill east of the victim's home.
The sergeant went to the home and recognized Critchfield from the previous complaint.
According to the affidavit, Critchfield had explained in 2020 that "it was legal to shoot and he was using the treeline as his backstop."
The sergeant had reportedly told Critchfield at the time that he was liable for any damage done to either a person or their property.
According to the affidavit, Critchfield said he'd been shooting firearms that day. The sergeant then told him that someone had been shot.
Critchfield and Brown reportedly led deputies to a backyard that sloped down to a treeline.
A plywood target was set up in front of a tree log roughly 2 1/2 feet in diameter.
The log had been used as their backstop.
From the treeline, the sergeant "could see the emergency vehicles at the victim's residence."
"Mr. Critchfield said he did not realize any of his rounds made it through the treeline," the affidavit said.
Another sergeant at the scene was "alarmed upon seeing the target area and did not believe it was a safe area to shoot," according to the affidavit.
"Based on his training and experience, he did not believe anyone could safely engage a target given the area," the affidavit said.
The sergeant estimated the victim's home was roughly 150 meters from Critchfield's backyard.
After telling Critchfield that his backstop needed to consist of an "8-foot earthen mound," the deputies at the scene entered Critchfield's home and collected three 9mm handguns, one of which was a Glock 19 Gen 5 pistol.
Critchfield, who was reportedly cooperative throughout, had told the deputies he and Brown had been shooting 9mm rounds. Deputies believed the bullet from the scene was also a 9mm round.
According to the affidavit, WSP's crime lab on April 16 reported that the bullet found at the scene had been fired from the Glock 19 collected in the investigation.
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