18-year-old burglary suspect fatally shot by Centralia officer

CENTRALIA, Wash. — An 18-year-old man has died after he was shot by a Centralia police officer early Tuesday.

Officers were called to a burglary in progress on Logan Street in Centralia at 4:54 a.m., where the suspect was reportedly armed, according to police.

Shortly after officers arrived, they found a man who matched the description of the suspect.  An officer confronted the man and a shot or shots were fired, police said.

“Not only was he trying to break in the door, he was armed with some kind of a weapon,” said Centralia Police Chief Carl Nielsen.

There are visible marks and dents on the homeowner’s door where the attempted break-in occurred.

When the suspect couldn’t get inside the first home, police said, he went next door and attempted to break in to a second home. When he couldn’t get inside, he left and went to a nearby alley.

“When our officers arrived on scene the subject came out of the alleyway and started approaching one of the officers. Officers ordered him to stop, subject did not, officer opened fire and struck the subject,” said Nielsen.

The 18-year-old Winlock man was taken to the hospital where he died. Police aren’t releasing information on where the suspect was shot or what type of weapon he had.

Neighbors said they saw the man with a knife.

“He went and got a butcher knife from his home,” said Richardson. “He had the knife up and the cops shot him.”

Richardson’s lived in the neighborhood for 54 years. She said she’s watched Centralia change.

“It didn’t use to be this way. We raised two boys here with no problem. That used to be a park. The lady across the street is afraid to take her little boy to the park now and it isn’t right. It’s not. It’s scary,” said Richardson.

The shooting is being investigated by the Region Three Critical Incident Team. The officer has been placed on leave, which is protocol.

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