Shooting looks like self-defense(WA)

The Daily World ^ | 31 August, 2009 | na

[marktwain]

A shooting on Saturday that claimed the life of a 25-year-old Olympia man “appears at this time to be a legitimate act of self-defense,” Grays Harbor Undersheriff Rick Scott said this morning.

Westin Wolff was shot and killed at a remote campsite on Wynooche Lake early Saturday morning. The name of the person who shot Wolff is not being released.

While the Sheriffs Office is investigating Wolff’s death as a homicide, Scott said the shooting appears to have been justified.

“Homicide takes many forms, including justified homicide to criminal homicide. In criminal homicide there are varying degrees,” Scott added. No arrests have been made as a result of the shooting.

Scott said the campsites were far from the popular coho campgrounds, accessible mainly by a remote boat launch. He said Wolff and two other males, a 25-year-old and a 16-year-old, were camping in the same general area as the camper who fired at Wolff. The campsite where Wolff died was closed off for the investigation.

Scott said the evidence found at the scene appears to corroborate certain witness statements indicating the killing was in self-defense.

“Ultimately the prosecutor will decide if the individual was justified in using deadly force,” Scott said.

[marktwain]

Not much for details. Perhaps someone knows the area?

[handy old one]

Just a note have you noticed the jump in self-defence killings!!

[SeaHawkFan]

Despite the fact that WA is very socialist, the laws in WA are very friendly towards private citizens using deadly force. I would dare say they are even better than those in Texas as hard as.that might be to believe.

[Oldpuppymax]

Why wouldn’t law enforcement offer any details?

[jimt]

I would dare say they are even better than those in Texas as hard as.that might be to believe.

Having been born in Seattle and lived there for 31 years before 26 years here in Houston - no, they're not.

They're better than most, but I wish they were like here.

[sionnsar]

Say WA? Evergreen State ping

Quick link: WA State Board

FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this ping list.

Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.

[SeaHawkFan]

Hi,

I live in Baytown, having moved here last fall after hurricane Ike.

In the state of Wsahington, a private citixen has a right to arrest a felon even if the crime was not committed in their presence. Just better be sure you are right when you do it. Private citizen have greater authority to use deadly force when attempting to arrest a felon than even law enforcement officers.

Don’t believe me? Check out this RCW and pay particular attention to the legislative intent at the bottom of this page:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.16.040

Check out the related statutes as well. The language is VERY broad when it comes to a private citizens use of force in apprehending a felon, including the use of deadly force.