Pullman man shot by SWAT in hold up

PULLMAN — According to a press release from the City of Pullman Police Department released today Pullman Police Officers were dispatched Wednesday, Dec. 14 to the 1000th block of Latah Street to address a male in his thirties who was threatening to kill his roommates.

Reports say the roommates were evacuated from the apartment, and the area was evacuated. Pullman Officers attempted to speak with the male but he had barricaded himself inside the apartment. The roommates were evacuated from the apartment.

The press release states that Pullman PD crisis negotiators and the Whitman County Regional SWAT Team responded, and the suspect began firing from his apartment.

Negotiations were unsuccessful, due to escalating behavior and continued danger to the public and officers, the male was shot by a member of the Whitman County Regional SWAT Team, reports say.

The suspect was found deceased when the Whitman County Regional SWAT Team cleared the apartment, states the press release.

Pullman PD has requested assistance of the Washington State Patrol to investigate the officer involved shooting, on behalf of the Whitman County Regional SWAT Team. The press release states that further information should be released by Washington State Patrol.

According to reports the investigation must be completely independent of the agency whose officer was involved in the use of deadly force. The Whitman County Regional SWAT Team is made up of officers from Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, Pullman Police Department, and WSU Police Department.