A Lewis County man in his 20s was fatally shot on June 3 during the filming of a working dog training exercise that used live gunfire in Thurston County, authorities said.

The shooting prompted an immediate criminal investigation and led to the arrest of a Rochester man on suspicion of first-degree manslaughter, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Investigators from the sheriff’s office have taken the lead in reconstructing the sequence of events and gathering evidence related to how the firearm was used during the session.

According to law enforcement, the incident occurred during the filming of a working dog training exercise involving live gunfire at a training site in Thurston County. Officials said the victim, a man in his 20s from Lewis County, was struck by a round and subsequently pronounced deceased. Authorities have not released the names of the victim or the arrested man as the investigation and the booking process continue.

Shortly after the June 3 incident, the sheriff’s office opened what it described as an “immediate criminal investigation” to determine the circumstances of the live-fire demonstration. Investigators processed the scene, collected evidence and interviewed witnesses as part of the initial inquiry, the office said. The investigation focused on how live ammunition came to be discharged during the session and the roles of those present.

The arrest of the Rochester man followed that investigative work. He was taken into custody and booked on suspicion of first-degree manslaughter, according to the sheriff’s office. Prosecutors will review the evidence gathered by investigators as the case moves through the legal process, the statement said.

Officials emphasized the emotional impact of the shooting on participants and the victim’s family. “This is a devastating and heartbreaking event. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said. “The emotional toll on everyone involved is significant, and we recognize the deep pain caused by this loss.”

Local news outlets reported that the shooting took place at a dog training facility in Thurston County during a filmed training exercise. Coverage of the incident and subsequent arrest is available from regional broadcasters including KING 5 and FOX 13 Seattle, which published accounts citing law enforcement statements and local reporting.

Law enforcement officials said investigators continue to gather evidence related to the demonstration and the firearm discharge. That work includes piecing together a timeline of the training session, documenting the positions and actions of those involved, and preserving physical evidence from the scene. The sheriff’s office said those details will be central to determining legal accountability.

The case remains under the jurisdiction of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office while prosecutors review investigative findings. Authorities have not announced any additional charges beyond the first-degree manslaughter allegation tied to the man who was arrested. Officials asked the public to allow investigators to complete their work and said they will provide further information when appropriate.

As the investigation proceeds, the death has reverberated beyond the immediate participants, officials said, noting the deep emotional toll on the victim’s family and the community connected to the training facility. The sheriff’s office reiterated its commitment to a thorough examination of the facts surrounding the live-fire exercise and to ensuring the legal process moves forward based on the evidence collected.

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Original reporting: view the original article.