Lakewood Man Shot By Deputy At Lucky Eagle Casino Identified

LAKEWOOD, WA - The Thurston County Coroner's office has released the identity of the man shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy outside the Lucky Eagle Casino on Tuesday night. Daniel James, 55, died at Providence St. Peter Hospital from multiple gunshot wounds, according to The Olympian.

The Thurston County Sheriff's office said that James was aiming a weapon at the deputy and refused to drop it.

Police were called to the area, which is about an hour's drive south of Lakewood, just before 8 p.m. Tuesday on a report of someone behaving erratically while armed with a pistol at a home near the casino. Deputies located the suspect's vehicle parked at the casino.

The man allegedly exited the vehicle armed with a pistol. The deputy told the suspect to drop the weapon. When he refused, the deputy shot the man several times.

The Region Three Critical Investigation Team, comprised of police from local counties, is investigating the shooting. The deputy was not hurt in the exchange, and he has not been identified.

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