1:20 P.M. UPDATE: The Eureka Police have identified the man who was shot and killed by officers after the man allegedly shot at them during a call for a domestic disturbance.
Joshua Smith, 35, was shot and killed on Thursday, June 4, outside a home in the 1500 block of Cascade Lane in the Windswept Farms subdivision, Eureka Police Chief Michael Werges said in a statement released this afternoon, June 5.
Werges said no officers were injured, and no other injuries were reported. He said bullets did strike vehicles and homes in the subdivision, which is off Hwy. W in the Jefferson County portion of Eureka.
Eureka Police reported being called just before 8 p.m. Thursday to the home. Werges said two officers responded and were talking with a woman, who was with a child, at the front door when Smith first shot at them.
Werges said the officers shot back at Smith while moving the woman and child away from the gunfire.
“Due to the time of day, the active nature of the neighborhood and the close proximity of surrounding homes, officers were faced with an extremely dangerous and rapidly evolving situation that presented an immediate threat to the caller, her child, responding officers and members of the surrounding community,” he said.
Werges said after the officers, woman and child went behind a police cruiser, Smith came out of the home and shot at the officers again. He said the officers shot at Smith again, striking and killing him.
In the statement, Werges said Smith shot a semi-automatic handgun at the officers.
“He charged at the officers, and they engaged him again,” Werges said. “That is when he was fatally killed in the street.”
Werges said the officers are on paid administrative leave, and they have met with counselors. He did not provide more information about the officers.
Werges did not say how many shots in all were fired, by Smith or officers, or how many times Smith was hit.
Werges said Eureka Police had not been called to the Cascade Lane home before because of a domestic issue. He also said officers were not familiar with the man who shot at them.
“There is no history there,” Werges said. “He was acting oddly, and she was alarmed by his behavior. She was concerned for her safety and her child’s safety by his actions, which was out of character for him.”
Werges said due to the size and complexity of the scene and because Eureka Police officers were involved, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation of the shooting.
“The Eureka Police Department will fully cooperate with the independent investigation,” Werges said. “We are grateful that no additional citizens or officers were injured during this extremely dangerous incident. We also appreciate the support, patience, and understanding of our community as investigators continue working to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding what occurred.”
In the statement, Werges said the investigation was continuing and more information will be released when available.
ORIGINAL STORY: Eureka Police officers shot and killed a man who shot at them twice following a domestic disturbance in the 1500 block of Cascade Lane in the Windswept Farms subdivision, Eureka Police Chief Michael Werges said.
He said no officers were injured, and no other injuries were reported. He said bullets did strike vehicles and homes in the subdivision, which is off Hwy. W in the Jefferson County portion of Eureka.
“There were a large number of shots fired exchanged between both parties,” Werges said.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting, Werges said.
Eureka Police reported being called just before 8 p.m. Thursday, June 4, to the home. Werges said two officers responded and were talking with a woman, who was with a child, at the front door when the man first shot at them.
“Our officers were able to get the woman and young child to safety,” he said. “There was a barrage of gunfire that came out of the house through the front storm door, which is glass. They shot back in his direction.”
Werges said after the officers, woman and child went behind a police cruiser, the man came out of the home and shot at the officers again. He said the officers shot at the man again, striking and killing him.
“He charged at the officers, and they engaged him again,” Werges said. “That is when he was fatally killed in the street.”
Werges said more information about the man who was shot and killed will be released after an autopsy is completed.
Werges also said information about the officers in involved in the shooting would be released later today. He said the officers are on paid administrative leave, and they have met with counselors.
Werges said Eureka Police had not been called to the Cascade Lane home before because of a domestic issue. He also said officers were not familiar with the man who shot at them.
“There is no history there,” Werges said. “He was acting oddly, and she was alarmed by his behavior. She was concerned for her safety and her child’s safety by his actions, which was out of character for him.”
The Leader will update this story when information is available.