Person dies in Ritzville officer-involved shooting

RITZVILLE — An unidentified person died early Sunday morning after an incident at Ritzville business where the person was shot by a Ritzville police officer. The shooting is being investigated by the Central Basin Investigation Team.

The incident began at about 11:20 p.m., according to a press release issued by the Ritzville Police Department. A Ritzville officer and Washington State Patrol trooper were summoned to Love’s Travel Stop, 1371 North SR-261, for a report of a suicidal person.

The officers found the subject in the parking lot, and at some point during the incident the Ritzville officer shot the person, the press release said. Police department officials declined to release any details. A machete was found at the scene.

Officers administered first aid, and the person was taken to East Adams Rural Healthcare, where they died. The investigation was turned over to the CBIT, and an update on that investigation is scheduled to be released Tuesday.

• Cheryl Schweizer