Royal City policeman sidelined after death of a domestic violence suspect
The Royal Register News
ROYAL CITY - A Royal City police officer is on paid administrative leave, awaiting word of his professional future, while an independent group investigates the shooting death of a domestic violence suspect on Monday, Oct. 24.
The incident occurred at around 5:10 p.m., well after the Oct. 25 issue of The Royal Register was sent to the press.
Dead is Pedro Salgado Ceja, 45, of Royal City. He was hit in the torso with at least one bullet from a sidearm fired at him by Officer Rey Rodriguez.
According to Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison, who performed an autopsy the following day, the manner of Ceja's death was homicide.
According to Kyle Foreman, spokesman for the Columbia Basin Investigative Team (CBIT), "It's important to note the term 'homicide' means a person died because of the actions of another, and it does not mean a criminal act was committed."
However, in accordance with shooting incident protocol, Rodriguez was immediately placed on leave, and an independent investigation of the incident was begun.
As is the case in all police shootings, there must be a determination by the CBIT whether Rodriguez was justified. Then the county prosecutor must make his own determination, based on the CBIT's work and recommendation.
Foreman said the case may get to the prosecutor this week, but next week is more likely. According to Foreman, Rodriguez "was shocked" by the incident but is emotionally okay. "He has a lot of family support," Foreman said.
Royal City Police Chief Darrin Smith spoke very little of the incident for fear of interfering with the investigation. All press information as gone through Foreman.
According to Foreman, CBIT members have interviewed four witnesses who are cooperative. They have spoken to three who are not cooperative.
What is known so far is that Rodriguez responded to a domestic violence call at 200 Hemlock Ave. NW in Royal City at 5:10 p.m. Smith said the call came from the New Hope domestic violence center.
According to Foreman, a domestic violence advocate needed assistance in removing a female domestic violence victim to a safe location. Investigators have not determined if Ceja and the female domestic violence victim were married, Foreman said, but they had a long-term relationship. Foreman said they had two children together.
According to Foreman, Rodriguez assessed the situation upon arriving. He said Rodriguez determined he had probable cause for arresting Ceja for second-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment.
Then the incident deteriorated. Within eight minutes of the call, Ceja was dead or dying.
Rodriguez attempted to make the arrest, Foreman said, but Ceja refused to submit. Foreman said Ceja "pulled away and would not comply with Officer Rodriguez's orders."
Then, Foreman said, Ceja picked up a flat-bottom shovel, which was on the ground outside the home, and went after Rodriguez.
"Officer Rodriguez retreated at least 150 feet while ordering Ceja to drop the shovel," Foreman said. "According to witnesses, Ceja did not obey the commands and continued to close the distance with the officer."
Before Rodriguez turned to his sidearm, Foreman said, Rodriguez attempted to use two less lethal options - pepper spray and taser - and was unable. Then, Foreman said, Officer Rodriguez fired six rounds from his sidearm.
Foreman did not know why pepper spray and taser did not work. That is part of what the CBIT has to figure out. Rodriguez may have determined he did not have had the time to deploy them successfully.
"These things happen so fast," Foreman said. "You miss, and that shovel can be on you."
The CBIT did not report how many bullets hit Ceja, but Morrison's autopsy determined the cause of death to be "gunshot wounds" to the torso. Foreman said it takes time to determine how many.
"If one bullet hits the arm and then the torso, then that's one bullet," Foreman said.
At 5:18 p.m. Rodriguez called for help on his two-way radio. Deputies and officers from multiple agencies responded. Firefighters and emergency medical technicians tried to assist Ceja, but he was declared dead at the scene.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
