Thurston County Sheriff’s Office investigating after Elma boy shot with ‘less lethal munitions’
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, August 11, 2026
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) on Wednesday announced it was leading the independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting of a 13-year-old boy in Elma.
The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Region 3 Critical Incident Investigation Team after the shooting, in accordance with state law. The Critical Incident Investigation Team is composed of investigators from surrounding jurisdictions, including the TCSO.
The shooting occurred outside a rural home on July 29 after Grays Harbor deputies responded to a reported disturbance with a weapon, according to a news release from the TCSO.
The caller had told dispatchers her autistic son was striking doors and walls with an axe. The boy had also threatened to break into a gun safe and take a gun, according to the release.
All the occupants had reportedly exited the house to wait for law enforcement.
Deputies and Elma police arrived at the scene and attempted to negotiate with the boy, who had come outside armed with a compound bow and arrows.
The boy allegedly pointed the bow at the officers and deputies during the negotiation.
According to the release, personnel from the Aberdeen Police Department, Montesano Police Department and Washington State Patrol arrived at the scene to assist, as officers attempted to deescalate the situation using “multiple less-lethal use of force options.”
The boy allegedly shot arrows at a police drone, officers and deputies. An Elma police officer responded by firing one rifle shot, which did not strike the boy.
Minutes later, an officer and deputy deployed “less lethal munitions” and struck the boy, according to the release.
The boy was transported to Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma for medical evaluation, and then transferred to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma after hospital staff reportedly discovered soft tissue damage from his injury.
The boy was released to the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office on July 31 and booked into the Grays Harbor juvenile detention facility for three counts of first-degree assault.
Thurston County detectives encouraged anyone with information about the incident to contact the TCSO detective division at 360-786-5500 or detectives@co.thurston.wa.us.
