Two-Hour Standoff Ends With Arrest in Aberdeen

A 50-year-old man listed as transient, with a last known address in Olympia, is in custody following a nearly two-hour standoff Wednesday involving Aberdeen police and multiple assisting agencies.

The incident began at approximately 12:56 p.m. when Aberdeen officers were dispatched to a suspicious-person complaint in the 300 block of South “F” Street. The caller reported that a man had pointed a flare gun at a window.

When officers located the man, he reportedly ignored commands to stop and jumped into the Chehalis River.

Officers attempted to communicate with him and encouraged him to come ashore, but he refused. The man made his way through the water to the railroad trestle, where he climbed onto a pillar and remained while officers continued trying to persuade him to surrender.

He later climbed onto the walkway platform beneath the trestle.

Just before 3 p.m., officers confirmed the man was no longer in possession of the flare gun after he discarded the contents of his backpack into the river. Officers then moved onto the platform in an effort to safely take him into custody.

Instead, the man climbed over the railing and jumped back into the river.

A Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife boat carrying a Fish and Wildlife officer, a Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Deputy and an Aberdeen officer responded and pulled the man from the water. He was then taken into custody.

The man was transported to the nearest dock, where Aberdeen Fire Department personnel were waiting to medically evaluate him. Following the evaluation, he was transported to the Aberdeen Police Department jail.

He is facing multiple misdemeanor charges, including disorderly conduct, obstructing a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. Additional charges may be filed.

The Aberdeen Police Department thanked the Aberdeen Fire Department, Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Mobile Crisis Team for their assistance and resources in bringing the incident to a safe resolution.