Man dead after charging at deputies with running chainsaw, Pierce County officials say



GRAHAM, Wash. -- Police say a man is dead after he charged at deputies with a running chainsaw Tuesday morning in Graham.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department first tweeted about the officer-involved shooting in the 9000 block of 262nd St. E.

Investigators said the suspect's mother called 911 just after 7 a.m. after her son, 36, attempted to get inside her house. She has a protection order against him.

"According to the caller, the suspect refused to leave and said that deputies would have to shoot him," deputies said in a news release.

When deputies arrived, they attempted to use a stun gun to subdue the suspect. He fell to the ground, they said, but then immediately got back up and charged at them with the chainsaw running. Deputies fired and the suspect fell to the ground. They began giving first aid, but the suspect died at the scene.



The suspect had a history of assaulting his parents, investigators said. His parents said he had a history of meth use and mental health issues.

It's unclear how many deputies fired. The investigation is ongoing.