Critical Incident in Marble

Northport, Wash. – The Northeast Washington Independent Investigation Team (NEWIIT) is
investigating an Officer-Involved shooting that occurred Sunday near Northport, Wash.
Stevens County Sheriff’s Office personnel were involved in a lethal force encounter on the evening of
March 23, 2025, in the community of Marble, south of Northport in Stevens County, while serving a
warrant.

The Northeast Washington Independent Investigation Team (NEWIIT) protocol was activated, and the
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Colville Police Department, Pend Oreille County
Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) responded to the scene to investigate. WSP
was designated the lead investigating agency. Per policy and practice, WSP will release weekly
updates during the ongoing investigation of this incident through the WSP Government and Media
Relations Office in Olympia, Wash.

The investigation is active and in its early stages, so no additional details are available.
Investigation and Process:

This update is required in compliance with WAC 139-12, which mandates weekly updates be sent out
by the lead investigative agency in investigations where a Washington State Peace Officer uses deadly
force in the capacity of his or her law enforcement duties. These updates are required even if no new
information is available at the time of the update.

With the passage of Washington State Initiative 940 in 2018, and Substitute House Bill 1064 in 2019,
incidents where the use of deadly force by a peace officer results in death, substantial bodily harm, or
great bodily harm require an independent investigation. This investigation must be conducted in the
same manner as a criminal investigation and state law now requires an “independent investigation”
completely independent of the involved agency.

Per WAC 139-12, the IIT is unable to release any criminal history related to the individual, which
includes the circumstances surrounding the initial contact, which prompted the law enforcement response. This information can only be released if specifically requested by the media, and is able to
be released consistent with the Public Records Act Chapter 42.56 RCW.

Weekly updates will be provided as the investigation continues. The policies and operating procedures
of the IIT are available to the public at: https://www.wsp.wa.gov/independent-investigation-team/.