Tenino police: suspect in recent shooting apprehended; council weighs staffing and grant timing

Tenino police reported on May 13 that a suspect linked to a recent shooting incident was apprehended on the California–Nevada border and is being brought back to Washington for charging. Officers said county and other agencies assisted and that investigators are pursuing potential additional accomplices and related warrants. A police officer described an earlier, separate road-rage incident about three to four weeks prior that investigators tied into the broader case and forwarded to the prosecutor.

At the same meeting council also discussed local police staffing: Tenino currently has two officers and one may be leaving, prompting questions about interim hires. Staff cautioned that some grant awards include timing or award-process conditions that could affect whether a new hire’s salary would be grant-eligible if the hire occurs before award. One staff member said the July date in the grant process is the current stumbling block for hiring decisions tied to that program.

Police emphasized that earlier reports of interactions with the suspect occurred before the shooting and investigators did not have complete information at that time. “We didn’t have all the information that we had when this occurred,” an officer said, explaining the earlier incident could not be fully developed into charges at the time but was forwarded to the prosecutor as more evidence developed.

Council requested clarification about grant award dates and whether provisional hiring or alternative staffing (short-term contracted officers) could provide temporary relief while ensuring compliance with grant reimbursement rules; staff said they are seeking additional guidance from grant administrators.