Man at center of Lacey police shooting shot himself, Thurston Coroner says
A 34-year-old man who was initially thought to have been shot and killed by Lacey police officers last month killed himself, the Thurston County Coroner announced Tuesday in an update released by the law enforcement group investigating the shooting.
“The Coroner’s Office found that the deceased had a self-inflicted gunshot wound that was the cause of death,” the announcement reads. “Additionally, the deceased had gunshot wounds to the torso, but those wounds did not create a life-threatening injury.”
Coroner Gary Warnock released a statement about his office’s findings:
“Autopsy examination revealed multiple indeterminate-range gunshot wounds of the torso, none of which struck vital anatomic structures or resulted in life-threatening injury. A single, contact range entrance wound was identified on the decedent’s right temple that resulted in a penetrating gunshot wound of the head and non-survivable brain injury. Therefore, the cause of death was attributed to a gunshot wound of the head.
“Other significant conditions included gunshot wounds of the torso. Given the autopsy findings and investigative information currently available, the manner of death was determined to be consistent with suicide. For purposes of vital statistics and public health surveillance, the death certificate will document that this man’s death occurred in the context of an engagement with law enforcement personnel.
“Should additional information become available that significantly changes the cause and/or manner of death, the Thurston County Coroner’s Office reserves the right to amend the death certificate.”
A police officer shot Charles Stanley, 34, after he reportedly opened fire, striking another officer in the chest who was wearing a protective vest, The Olympian reported.
Police had responded to a domestic violence incident about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at a home on Axis Street Southwest, south of Yelm Highway and east of Rainier Road.
When officers arrived, Stanley allegedly pulled out a gun and proceeded to fire on officers when they attempted to arrest him. In response, officers fired at Stanley, The Olympian reported.
The two officers involved in the incident suffered minor injuries and have been put on administrative leave pending an investigation, Olympia Police Lt. Paul Lower previously said.
The Olympia Police Department has taken the lead in the investigation as part of the Capitol Metro Independent Team.
This story was originally published February 8, 2022 at 1:23 PM with the headline "Man at center of Lacey police shooting shot himself, Thurston Coroner says."
