New Details On Deadly OIS In Centralia

Centralia, WA – On June 18, 2019, at approximately 4:54 AM, Centralia Police Officers were dispatched to a report of a
burglary in progress in the 1400 block of Logan Street in the City of Centralia where the suspect was reported to
be attempting to force entry into an occupied residence.

While en route to the call, officers were updated regarding the location of the suspect. Once on scene, Officers
attempted to contact the suspect who was armed with a knife. The suspect failed to comply with orders to stop
advancing towards the officers and was shot. The suspect was transported to a local hospital but later died of
his injuries. The Lewis County Coroner will be releasing the name of the deceased upon notification of next of
kin.

The Centralia Police Officer who was involved in the shooting is Officer Fredrick Mercer. Officer Mercer has
been in law enforcement since 2009 and joined the Centralia Police Department in July of 2012. Following
department policy and procedures for officers involved in such incidents, Officer Mercer has been placed on
Paid Administrative Leave during the investigation of the incident which is being handled by the Region Three
Critical Incident Team. Neither Officer Mercer nor any of the other officers on-scene were injured.