Officer-involved shooting in Montesano

One man taken to hospital after police say he charged them with swords.

Story updated April 17 at 10 a.m.

A man was shot by police officers after he charged them with two swords during a standoff Tuesday at a residence in the 100 block of South Academy Street, Montesano Police Chief Brett Vance said.

Vance said that it was an ongoing investigation and that he did not want to comment as of 10 a.m. Wednesday. He said he would provide another release with more details today, Wednesday.

Police were called for a “suicidal suspect” shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday and made verbal contact with the subject, “who appeared to be having mental health issues,” according to the Montesano Police statement, released at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The man charged at officers with two swords, according to the statement. The Aberdeen Regional Crisis Unit team was called to the scene. Officers in camouflage armed with rifles took up positions on the west and south sides of the home as a negotiator attempted to bring the suspect out of the residence.

Officers negotiated with the subject for several hours before the man again charged officers and was shot around 6:30 p.m.

Witnesses heard five or six shots, after which the subject was brought from the rear of the residence to an ambulance near the front. Emergency responders performed CPR before the man was loaded into the ambulance and taken to Grays Harbor Community Hospital with what were described in the police statement as life-threatening injuries.

A few observers at the scene during the standoff were from the neighborhood and said they were unfamiliar with the subject.

The Region 3 Critical Investigation Team was called to investigate and review the shooting. No further details about the man and his condition were available Wednesday morning.