The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) is asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect who allegedly shot a man in Tenino on Friday.
John Cooper, 69, is accused of shooting a 58-year-old man in the arm shortly before 5:47 p.m. on Aug. 28, according to a TCSO news release.
Cooper and the victim reportedly lived in different residences on the same property in the 2600 block of Angus Drive Southeast and had been engaged in a personal dispute for most of the day prior to the shooting.
The victim called 911 at approximately 5:47 p.m. to report that he had been shot.
The shooter fled the scene in a gold SUV and was not there when deputies arrived minutes after the 911 call.
The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he is in stable condition and expected to survive, according to TCSO.
Detectives searched for the suspect throughout the night, and eventually determined that he had been dropped off at an Oakville address, but he was no longer there when deputies arrived.
“It appears the subject continues to move locations in order to avoid being arrested,” TCSO said in a news release.
There is probable cause to arrest Cooper for first-degree assault and four counts of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, according to TCSO.
TCSO described Cooper as a white male standing 5-feet-7-inches tall and weighing 190 pounds.
He is no longer associated with the gold SUV, according to TCSO.
TCSO asks anyone with information regarding the incident or Cooper’s whereabouts to call 911 or the Thurston County dispatch non-emergency number at 360-704-2740, or to email detectives@co.thurston.wa.us and reference case number 26-003796.
TCSO advises anyone who sees Cooper not to engage with him.
