Pierce County deputy fatally shoots armed man outside Graham house
A Graham man was fatally shot by a Pierce County sheriff’s deputy Sunday night after firing several rounds inside an occupied house and when he emerged from the home, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
The incident began just after 9 p.m. when several people in the 24900 block of 144th Avenue East called 911 to report a man firing shots in the neighborhood. One caller also reported the man held a knife to a neighbor’s throat.
Deputies responded and were told the 39-year-old man had several guns.
They could hear shooting but were unable to find the man.
Around 10:30 p.m., deputies heard shooting inside a nearby house and determined the man was inside.
They got three people safely out of the home and continued to hear shots from inside for the next hour.
At 11:35 p.m., the man “exited the residence and fired multiple shots,” according to a sheriff’s department news release.
A deputy shot and killed the man, who has not been identified.
The unidentified deputy was placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure after an officer-involved shooting.
The Thurston County Critical Incident Investigation Team will investigate.
This story was originally published August 10, 2020 at 9:39 AM.
