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Yelm police report SWAT barricade, Seamar shooting probe; public safety committee notes $6.06 million Nisqually grant for less-lethal equipment
Summary
Police reported a recent SWAT call for a barricaded individual in mental crisis and an ongoing investigation into a shooting near a convenience store; the council’s public safety committee said the city received a $6,062,000 Nisqually grant for less-lethal equipment and highlighted new hires and training.
The Yelm City Council received a public safety briefing Feb. 11 that covered a recent SWAT barricade incident, an ongoing shooting investigation and a committee report on grant funding for less-lethal equipment.
The police chief summarized a multi-agency response to an adult male in a mental-health crisis who barricaded himself in a residence. The incident triggered a SWAT callout after the department’s threat assessment met the criteria for specialized response. “Individual came out, with the help of the canine, was taken into custody and, went to the hospital first and then went to jail,” the chief said, describing the outcome. The person was later seen by a judge, evaluated and released but subsequently returned to the residence and was taken back into custody, the chief said.
The chief also described a separate shooting incident outside a convenience store near Seamar in which officers initially responded to a reported gunshot victim. Investigators used the department’s Flock cameras and vehicle-tracking footage as part of the probe and had developed suspects for whom warrants were expected, the chief said.
In committee reports, the council’s public safety committee said it had secured a Nisqually grant totaling $6,062,000 to acquire less-lethal equipment, including 40 mm launchers used to deploy beanbag rounds and similar projectiles. “What they are looking at getting is, at least 20, 40 millimeter, weapons that are utilized to shoot beanbags and such,” the committee report said.
Council members and staff highlighted department training and staffing: the committee noted a new hire awaiting academy start date and that the department and allied agencies coordinated successfully during the recent incidents.
Ending: The council recorded the report; the police department said it will continue the Seamar shooting investigation and pursue warrants where appropriate, and the public safety committee will move forward with procurement of less-lethal equipment under the awarded Nisqually grant.
