A24-11 - Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team - Officer Involved Shooting Investigation - Press Release 4 - 01/24/24

LOWER COLUMBIA MAJOR CRIMES TEAM

A24-11

OFFICER INVOLVED USE OF FORCE INVESTIGATION

LONGVIEW, WASHINGTON

PRESS RELEASE 4

JANUARY 24, 2024

The Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team (LCMCT) has completed its investigation of the Officer-Involved Shooting that occurred in the 2900 block of Columbia Heights Rd, Longview, on January 1, 2024.  LCMCT investigators have conducted a thorough investigation, including processing of evidence at the crime scene, review of body-worn camera footage, review of 911 phone and radio recordings, and interviews with witnesses and officers. 

Investigators had previously confirmed 29-year-old Katelynn Smith pointed a pistol at officers, who were responding to a 911 call at this residence.  This was observed by witnesses in the neighborhood and was captured on body-worn camera footage.  Investigators recovered a pistol from the scene, which had contained a loaded magazine, but does not appear to have been fired during the incident.

Statements provided by the involved officers indicated that each officer felt Smith was an imminent deadly threat to both the officers on scene and the reporting party when Smith pointed a firearm at them, and the officers fired their duty weapons to stop this threat.

A video summary of the investigation can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/l9PAeIwam94

The investigative case file will be submitted to the Cowlitz County Prosecutor’s Officer for review.  Any pending reports, such as toxicology results, will be submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office when received.

Troy Brightbill

Chief Criminal Deputy / Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office

Commander / Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team