UPDATE #2: PALECIIRT Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting in Pullman
PULLMAN, Wash. – The below weekly update is in reference to the Palouse Area Law Enforcement Critical Incident Investigation Response Team (PALECIIRT) investigation of an officer-involved shooting that occurred at 1000 SE Latah St. on Dec. 15:
UPDATE: The Whitman County Regional Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team utilized verbal negotiations and less lethal tools during the more than 7-hour incident. Ultimately one Washington State University Police Department officer utilized lethal force at 3:58 a.m. The officer’s name will be released by WSUPD per their agency policies and procedures.
Background: Pullman Police Department (PPD) officers responded to a disturbance at 1000 SE Latah St. at 8:34 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14. The incident resulted in the response of the Whitman County Regional SWAT, which includes officers from Whitman County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), Pullman Police Department (PPD), and the WSUPD.
Officers attempted to contact an individual inside one of the apartments. Negotiations between the officers on scene and the individual appeared to include verbal communications and less lethal tools prior to the use of lethal force at 3:58 a.m.
The individual was pronounced deceased at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident.
The WSP will be the lead investigating agency in this incident. All future media communications regarding this incident will be provided through the WSP Government and Media Relations (GMR) Division in Olympia.
WSUPD will release the name of the involved officer at a later time. The Whitman County Coroner’s Office will release the name of the decedent when appropriate.
Once the PALECIIRT investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
