Suspect arrested for allegedly shooting AR-style rifle at Thurston County deputies
May 13, 2025, 2:39 PM | Updated: 2:57 pm
Thurston County suspect arrested for allegedly shooting an AR-style rifle at officers. (Photo courtesy of Sheriff Sanders)
(Photo courtesy of Sheriff Sanders)
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an armed suspect after he allegedly fired three rounds from an AR-style rifle at deputies Thursday afternoon.
Damien Madison, 27, was wanted for multiple felony warrants, according to Sheriff Derek Sanders. No deputies were injured in the shooting, as of this reporting.
“We would like to thank our federal and state law enforcement partners for their invaluable assistance,” a spokesperson said. “Damien has been taken into custody on the California/Nevada border.”
How the shooting began
Deputies attempted to pull over a vehicle in Grays Harbor, but the car, which had a driver and a passenger inside, fled, causing a police pursuit through Thurston County.
“(Thursday) afternoon, a wanted felon led deputies on a pursuit from Tenino,” the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office stated in a post on social media. “During the chase, the suspect fired at deputies, striking a patrol car. Thankfully, no deputies were injured. The suspect, Damien Madison, is still on the run and is considered armed and dangerous.”
The passenger, believed to be Madison, started throwing things at pursuing deputies before shooting an AR-style rifle at them, disabling a deputy’s vehicle. The driver then dropped Madison off on rural Waldrick Road near the town of Rainier in Thurston County.
The female driver was eventually arrested, but Madison, known as a “prolific burglar,” was able to get away. Deputies have pursued and chased after Madison three times in the last six months.
Released bodycam footage of the shooting can be seen here. Viewer discretion is advised when watching the video.
“He has a history of stealing cars after fleeing from stolen cars, so there’s a decent chance he’s already stolen a car and left the area,” Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said. “He’s also a prolific burglar, so there’s a decent chance that he is in someone’s shed, barn, house, maybe not occupied.”
Madison’s lengthy criminal history includes charges of burglary, drug possession, and high-speed chases at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.
“The last time I talked about him, I actually specifically stated that if the judges don’t start taking this seriously, that someone is going to get hurt or killed,” Sanders added. “Here we are, shooting at the police, so maybe they’ll take it more seriously this time, but I’m not confident.”
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office had offered a $1,000 reward leading to the arrest of Madison.
He was considered armed and dangerous and had made statements that he would not be taken alive, according to Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders.
This story was originally published on May 12, 2025.
Contributing: Luke Duecy, 成人X站 Newsradio
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