Man's name released in fatal Moses Lake police shooting

MOSES LAKE — The man fatally shot by Moses Lake police Monday night was identified as 54-year-old James M.  Eshelman, of Moses Lake, according to Moses Lake police.

Eshelman was shot about 5:30 p.m. Monday after officers responded to a disturbance at a home in the 2000 block of South Belair Drive. Eshelman was armed with a large knife when officers contacted him, according to police reports.

At some point, an officer shot Eshelman, who was transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake where he was pronounced dead.

The name of the officer involved was not released Tuesday. The officer was placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard protocol for these types of incidents, Chief Dave Ruffin said.

"While the incident is still being investigated by the Columbia Basin Investigative Team, most of the officers have been interviewed and the scene has been processed," Ruffin said.

Ruffin said more information is expected to be released Friday to ensure investigators are allowed to complete the investigation.

Pick up Thursday’s Columbia Basin Herald for the latest public safety news and updates on this case.