At about 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Thurston County Commissioner Emily Clouse posted a live video to her official Facebook documenting herself getting out of her car in Lacey and walking past several police vehicles and groups of armed deputies and officers.
Two hours later, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders posted that he had received questions from citizens about the video, which had since been deleted.
“We have no issue being recorded by citizens or elected officials, but do want to ensure the public understands what exactly it is they are watching in such footage so that incorrect conclusions aren’t drawn,” Sanders stated.
Sanders clarified that Clouse had recorded Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputies, as well as officers with the Lacey Police Department, Tumwater Police Department, Olympia Police Department, Yelm Police Department and Lacey Fire Department, during a debrief following a SWAT operation.
“The footage that is posted was during the debrief after the suspect was taken into custody peacefully,” Sanders stated in his post responding to Clouse’s video, adding, “The incident was NOT immigration related, nor were any federal agencies involved.”
TCSO deputies had responded to a domestic violence assault with a firearm in the Lacey area, according to Sanders. Upon arrival, deputies learned that the suspect pulled the slide back on a handgun and pointed it at the victim's head. The suspect refused to exit the home.
“Due to the severity of the crime with a firearm involved, SWAT team operators responded to assist patrol deputies,” Sanders said.
Thurston County SWAT is regional in structure, made up of local police and fire agencies.
After SWAT personnel negotiated and deployed a flash bang, the suspect surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody for numerous felony crimes.
Multiple firearms were seized from the residence, according to Sanders.
“Great job today by deputies, detectives, and our SWAT team who responded to an extremely dangerous incident that yielded a peaceful outcome as a result of their hard work,” Sanders said.
