Early‑2026 Shootings Prompt Multi‑State Law Enforcement Response

Updated 2026-01-22 07:05:27+00:00 (21 articles)

Series of Early‑2026 Shootings Span Washington and Ohio Multiple armed confrontations erupted across the Pacific Northwest and the Midwest between January 16 and 22, 2026, including a standoff at College Pointe Apartments in Lacey, WA, a fatal officer‑contact shooting in Ashville, OH, a chest‑wound incident outside a Monroe, WA bar, a teen shot on Talon Court in north Columbus, and a juvenile wounded on Nissi Drive in northeast Columbus [1][2][3][4][5]. Victims ranged from a 31‑year‑old man in Washington to a 17‑year‑old in Ohio, with outcomes of death, serious injury, and critical condition before stabilization [1][2][3][4][5]. Each event triggered immediate emergency dispatches and on‑scene medical treatment, underscoring the rapid escalation typical of urban gunfire incidents [1][3][4][5].

Law Enforcement Mobilized Multiple Agencies Without Officer Casualties Responding units included Thurston County sheriff’s deputies, Lacey police, and SWAT teams in Washington, while Ohio’s Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office, Ashville Police, and South Bloomfield Police converged on the Ashville scene [1][2]. In Monroe, local detectives secured the bar vicinity and began evidence collection, and Columbus police deployed officers to both the Talon Court and Nissi Drive locations [3][4][5]. Across all five incidents, no law‑enforcement personnel reported injuries, highlighting effective tactical containment despite active‑shooter dynamics [1][2][3][4][5].

State and Independent Bodies Lead Parallel Investigations Washington’s Office of Independent Investigations was tasked with reviewing the Lacey officer‑involved shooting, while Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation assumed lead investigative authority for the Ashville fatality [1][2]. Both states announced formal investigative processes, though details on the number of officers who fired remained undisclosed in Ohio [2]. In Washington and Ohio, investigators emphasized evidence gathering, forensic analysis, and witness interviews to determine motive and accountability [3][4][5].

Authorities Request Public Tips Through Dedicated Channels Monroe police posted an email address ([email protected]) and a tip line (360‑863‑4600) for information on the bar shooting, urging community cooperation [3]. Columbus officials similarly directed tips to the Felony Assault Unit and Central Ohio Crime Stoppers for the northeast Columbus juvenile case [5]. Both jurisdictions highlighted the importance of civilian leads in resolving the shootings and preventing future violence [3][5].