Othello Police officer in Aug. 5 incident identified

OTHELLO — Investigators have identified the Othello Police officer who discharged his weapon in an incident in Othello Aug. 5.

The Columbia Basin Investigative Team issued a statement Aug. 14, identifying the officer as Eduardo Martinez. Martinez fired his weapon after contacting a person who may have been wanted in connection with an unspecified incident. No one was injured.

A fellow OPD officer, Steven Perez, saw Martinez fire his weapon, the report said. Both officers have been interviewed and the CBIT investigators are reviewing video footage.

Othello police announced Aug. 6 they were looking for Aaron Urbina, 32, Othello, in connection with the incident. Urbina was arrested the same day.

The investigative team is made up of law enforcement personnel from the Moses Lake, Quincy, Ephrata and Othello police departments, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol. The investigative team must also include two community members. One of them, Danae Valdez, has decided not to participate in this investigation, the press release said. A new community member will be selected.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.