The Yelm-area resident accused of charging at Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies with a firearm, and getting shot by a deputy in turn, has been released from the hospital and booked into the Thurston County Jail.
Thurston County Jail records indicate Joseph Kochanowski, 68, was booked into the jail on Tuesday, June 9, on one count of first-degree assault. His bail is set at $50,000.
Charges had not been formally filed as of Wednesday afternoon, but an arraignment hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 16.
Kochanowski is accused of charging at a deputy with a firearm at a Yelm residence the morning of June 4.
Deputies had responded to the area alongside the Southeast Thurston Fire Authority for a report of a vehicle fire.
After arriving at the scene, a responding deputy gave commands to a subject, allegedly Kochanowski, to step away from the vehicle fire.
In response, Kochanowski allegedly presented a firearm and charged towards the deputy. The deputy then fired their gun several times, striking Kochanowski.
TCSO deputies and Yelm Police Department officers removed a second firearm from Kochanowski and issued medical aid, according to the TCSO news release.
The vehicle fire was extinguished after aid was rendered to Kochanowski, who was transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
According to standard protocol, the TCSO deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave due to the shooting. The deputy’s name has not been released.
The Region 3 Critical Incident Investigation Team is investigating the officer’s use of force.
The investigation is being led by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol.
Anyone having possible information about the incident is encouraged to call the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office at 360-748-9286.
For previous reporting on the shooting, visit https://tinyurl.com/3xzryy7c
