Suspect turns himself in, arrested after woman shot on property near Yelm

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — The suspect identified in the shooting of a woman on her property near Yelm turned himself into police on Wednesday.

On the morning of Sunday, September 1, deputies were dispatched to the 16900 block of 148th Avenue Southeast after 911 callers reported hearing yelling and the sound of possible gunshots.

When deputies arrived, they found a woman in her mid-30s who had been shot. Medics worked to save her life as she was taken to Harborview Medical Center.

SWAT and deputies combed the property but did not find a suspect.

On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office posted an “attempt to locate” bulletin for Cody Merritt, who was suspected of shooting the victim with a rifle, hitting her in the head.

The suspect’s description was released to the public to help in finding him.

Merritt was believed to have been wearing a white shirt when he fled.

Investigators said there was probable cause to arrest him on several felony charges.

On Wednesday afternoon, TCSO shared an update that Merritt had turned himself in and was in custody.

Detectives ask anyone with information related to the case to email the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office at detectives@co.thurston.wa.us.

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