Man armed with running chainsaw killed by deputies

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — A Washington man armed with a running chainsaw was fatally shot Tuesday by Pierce County sheriff's deputies in Graham.

Deputies were called to 9000 block of 262nd Street East at 7:13 a.m. Tuesday by a woman who said her 36-year-old son, who had previously attacked her and her husband, was at their home and armed with a chainsaw.

According to the woman, her son refused to leave and said that deputies would have to shoot him.

When officers arrived, they confronted the man, who refused to put down the running chainsaw.

Deputies used a stun gun on the man and he fell to the ground. He immediately got back up, and then charged at the deputies while the chainsaw was still running. Deputies then opened fire.

The Graham man was hit and fell to the ground. Deputies gave the man first aid, but he died at the scene.

Authorities did not immediately identify the family, however, police say the man had a history of assaulting his parents and has threatened to kill them.

According to his parents, the man had a history of methamphetamine abuse, a mental health diagnosis and refused to take his medications.

His mother filed for a temporary protection order, but deputies had not yet been able to locate him and serve him with the order.

It is not yet known how many deputies fired. The deputies who fired will be placed on paid administrative leave, as is standard procedure.

The investigation is ongoing.

Cox Media Group