Yesterday's shooting incident in Aberdeen highlights the amazing work our responders do when responding to major incidents near our schools.

According to the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release this afternoon saying yesterday, February 19th, around 12:12 p.m., Aberdeen Police officers were dispatched to a report of a shooting in the 1800 block of W. 2nd Street.  The caller reported hearing a female yelling that someone had been shot.  Because of the proximity to A.J. West elementary school, the school was notified and requested to go into lockdown status. 

The officers arriving on scene, believing there was a victim in need of immediate medical care, entered the residence and located a 36-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest.  As information was evolving, it was relayed that the suspect, who lived with and was related to the male victim, was still armed and upstairs at the residence.  Officers carried the male victim to a nearby ambulance, and he was transported to Harbor Regional Health hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. A second victim, a 66-year-old female from Renton, was also shot with non-life-threatening injuries. She was also transported to the hospital for treatment. 

 With the assistance of the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office, Hoquiam Police Department, Cosmopolis Police Department, and the Washington State Patrol, officers and deputies established a perimeter and contained the residence while attempting to make contact with the suspect. After several unsuccessful attempts to communicate, including the use of negotiators and specialized equipment to minimize further risk, officers entered the upstairs room where they found the suspect, a 66-year-old male, deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Aberdeen Police detectives, along with Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office detectives, processed the scene.  This investigation is still ongoing; however, it appears based on the investigation, this incident stemmed from a civil issue.

 The Aberdeen Police Department would like to thank the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office, Hoquiam Police Department, Cosmopolis Police Department, and the Washington State Patrol for their assistance bringing this incident to a resolution, as well as the Montesano Police Department who offered resources.