TUMWATER — A Thurston County sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a man Tuesday afternoon after the man attacked the deputy and tried to steal his patrol car, officials said.
Sheriff’s Lt. Cliff Ziesemer said a deputy responding to another call at about 4 p.m. saw a man suspiciously jump into some bushes near an intersection south of Tumwater.
The deputy stopped his Chevrolet Tahoe patrol vehicle and was trying to identify the man, who Ziesemer said then attacked the deputy.
“They had a little conversation and the subject attacked the deputy with his fists, punching him numerous times in the face,” Ziesemer said.
The man, believed to be in his mid- to late 20s, then jumped into the patrol vehicle and drove away with the deputy standing on the running board, Ziesemer said. The vehicle struck a passing car, whose driver suffered minor injuries, the lieutenant said.
That’s when the deputy shot the man in the chest, Ziesemer said. Officials pronounced the man dead at the scene.
The deputy reportedly suffered minor bruises and other injuries to his face.
The names of the deputy and the man who was killed have not been released.
A team from outside the county has been called to investigate.
The deputy will be placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure, Ziesemer said.
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