An Update has been released regarding an incident that we sent out through our app to subscribers regarding juveniles with a firearm in Aberdeen.

The Aberdeen Police Department says that Aberdeen Police Detectives served a search warrant yesterday morning (January 26th, 2024) in the 1800 block of Laura Street after a week and a half investigation stemming from a shooting that occurred last week.

On January 15th at 4:40pm, Aberdeen officers were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 2700-block of Simpson Avenue. The reporting party heard a gunshot and then observed juveniles running from the area. One of the juveniles was seen carrying a firearm. The juveniles were described as between the ages of 12–16 years old.

When officers arrived in the area, they were unable to locate the juveniles, however, they were able to locate a discharged .45 caliber bullet casing along the shoulder of the road.  The casing was seized as evidence.  Officers began processing the scene and started checking businesses and residences in the area for surveillance cameras.  There were no reported victims, and no property damage was reported.  The case was then turned over to the Aberdeen Police Investigations unit.

Through their investigation, they were able to identify the shooting suspect through surveillance cameras as well as interviewing witnesses in the area at the time of the incident.  It was discovered that the juveniles had an altercation with someone in a vehicle and one of the juveniles fired at the vehicle as it sped off.  The occupants in that vehicle have not yet been identified.

During the search warrant at the residence where the juvenile shooter resided, a Smith & Wesson .45 handgun with a loaded magazine was found in a drawer of the juvenile suspect’s bedroom.  The ammunition located in the firearm matched that of the casing found at the scene. 

 The 15-year-old juvenile was arrested and booked into the Grays Harbor County jail for Aiming/Discharging a Firearm in the City Limits as well as Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree. 

 The parent of the juvenile is cooperating with the investigation.  The case is still ongoing as detectives continue to follow leads to identify the other juveniles as well as the occupants of the involved vehicle.