Identities of Officer, Suspect in Fatal Shooting Still Withheld, Detectives Asking for Public Help

The identity of the dead suspect and the injured police officer in an officer involved shooting in Wenatchee are still being withheld.

An investigation continues from the Saturday morning shooting, which took place across the street from Memorial Park, the site of the heavily attended Apple Blossom Festival.

The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, and the condition of the injured officer has not been revealed.

All the roads around the scene at North Chelan Ave and Palouse St were reopened by Sunday morning.

Detectives are now asking for the public’s assistance with any information to assist with the case.

Wenatchee Police were initially called to the scene of a man firing a gun at the Living Hope Community Church at approximately 8:27 a.m. Saturday morning.

Officers on bicycles were quickly on the scene. Police say that, after being confronted, the suspect shot one of the officers in the leg.

Undersheriff Tyler Caille with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department said the officer returned fire after he was shot. “During the incident, one Wenatchee Police Department officer sustained a non-life-threatening injury as a result of the shooting. Subsequently, the single suspect was shot and fatally wounded by the officer.”

Witness Don Ross, an exhibitor at the Arts and Crafts Show, whose booth was set up kitty corner to the church, had a bird’s eye view of the commotion. Ross arrived early to set up his exhibit, when he noticed a well-dressed man in his early 40’s. “He was wearing a white suit and a red tie.”

Ross said he could clearly hear loud cussing and banging. When the man could not gain access to the church, he began shooting at the door. Ross’s wife called 911, “And two bicycle cops arrived almost immediately,” he said. The officers told the suspect to put down the gun, but he did not comply. Ross said he heard shots, and, “Both the officer and the suspect went down instantly.”

A North Central Washington Special Investigation Unit is looking into the shooting.

The unit headed by Undersheriff Tyler Caille includes the Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan County Sheriff’s Offices as well as East Wenatchee Police and the Washington State Patrol.

Designated non-law enforcement community representatives have also been involved in the investigation.

Wenatchee Police are not involved in the investigation in order to maintain independence.