The Olympia Police Department is investigating the deaths of three people by apparent gunshot wounds at an Olympia residence on Saturday, Feb. 7.
The incident is being investigated as a possible murder-suicide, according to Olympia Police Lt. Paul Lower.
“What exactly happened there, we’re still working through with the forensic team,” Lower said Monday afternoon.
Investigators do not believe there are any outstanding suspects or ongoing threats to the community.
The Thurston County Coroner’s Office was scheduled to conduct autopsies on the decedents — identified as a 66-year-old woman, a 79-year-old woman and a 70-year-old man — on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
The Thurston County Coroner’s Office is still in the process of notifying next-of-kin and has not released the decedents’ names, Coroner Gary Warnock confirmed Monday morning.
Olympia Police Department officers responded to a report of arguing followed by the sound of gunfire at a private residence in the 2300 block of 19th Court Northwest in Olympia at approximately 10:37 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Upon arrival, officers located three deceased individuals with apparent gunshot wounds.
The Olympia Police Department’s initial investigation determined there was “no indication of a continued threat to the community,” the department said in a social media post Saturday afternoon.
That determination held up as the investigation continued through the weekend.
The Olympia Police Department is now working with the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab and the Thurston County Coroner’s Office to complete the forensic investigation.
Investigators likely won’t know what happened on Feb. 7 until autopsies and lab analysis of evidence are complete, according to Lower.
“This is a tragic loss of life, and we are holding the families, loved ones, and all those impacted by this incident in our hearts during this difficult time,” the Olympia Police Department said in a social media post on Saturday. “We recognize incidents like this deeply affect families, neighbors, and our entire community, and we appreciate the community’s compassion, patience, and ongoing support as investigators work through the facts.”
The Olympia Police Department thanked community members who provided timely information to dispatchers and officers on the scene.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact dispatch at 360-704-2740.
