Sedro-Woolley Standoff: Wanted Suspect Arrested at Cascade Pizza

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. — An armed suspect was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon after a multi-agency response at Cascade Pizza on State Route 20 in Sedro-Woolley.

The Sedro-Woolley Police Department said officers were dispatched to the 800 block of SR 20 at about 2:41 p.m. Aug. 19 for a welfare check after a man called 911 and made what dispatchers described as nonsensical statements.

“Officers responded to the area of the 800 block of SR 20. There, SWPD Officers and Skagit County Deputies established containment around the business. Members of the Skagit County Crisis Negotiations Team and the North Cascades Regional SWAT Team arrived to assist. Units could see that the suspect was armed with a shotgun.”

Sedro-Woolley Police Department

The man later called 911 again, making additional threats toward himself and others and stating that he was armed.

PNW Daily has obtained exclusive video showing the suspect entering Cascade Pizza as the incident unfolded. Outside surveillance footage reviewed by shows the suspect concealing a shotgun inside a backpack before approaching the restaurant on foot; no vehicle is visible in the footage. In video from inside the restaurant, however, the pistol-grip shotgun is visible protruding from the backpack as he walks in.

Inside Account: Suspect Calmly Ordered Food Before Going to Patio

According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the suspect walked into Cascade Pizza and calmly ordered a pizza and a drink before going to the restaurant’s fenced-in back patio. He then began yelling loudly in what the source described as an incoherent manner before calling 911.

The source said restaurant management did not initially know what was happening. According to the source, an employee who was off-site called to say emergency responders had shut down SR 20, which is when management realized the restaurant itself was surrounded.

According to the staff, the suspect was observed as he was loading the shotgun with shells alone in the beer garden, to remove what appear to be a bottle of liquor like whiskey. The suspect was then seen drinking from the bottle before taking the loaded shotgun to the restaurant door to try and attempt to re-enter the restaurant.

Suspect Was Wanted in Oregon Investigation

Local law enforcement had received information earlier Wednesday from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon about the man involved.

According to Sedro-Woolley police, the subject was wanted in connection with a violent felony investigation in Oregon and was believed to be armed with several firearms. Another person connected to the investigation had already been detained outside Skagit County, police said.

Sedro-Woolley officers and Skagit County sheriff’s deputies responded to the Cascade Pizza area and established a containment perimeter around the business. Officers could see the suspect was armed with a shotgun.

Restaurant Evacuated as Officers Established Containment

The business was locked down and then evacuated as officers worked to isolate the suspect. The suspect was eventually sealed inside the restaurant’s beer garden, according to police.

Members of the Skagit County Crisis Negotiations Team and the North Cascades Regional SWAT Team responded to assist. Officers attempted to establish communication with the suspect while maintaining the containment perimeter.

Source Describes How Suspect Was Sealed in Beer Garden

According to a person with knowledge of the situation, restaurant management stepped outside to investigate and was approached directly by law enforcement. That person then let officers, including SWAT, into the restaurant.

At that point, the suspect was already isolated on the beer garden patio, according to the source. Officers directed restaurant management to evacuate all staff from the building.

The source said law enforcement used the restaurant’s own surveillance system to monitor the suspect in the patio. Management and SWAT officers together locked the heavy metal door connecting the beer garden to the interior of the restaurant, sealing the suspect alone outside, before staff evacuated the building.

The source said surveillance video then showed the suspect picking up the shotgun and loading it with shells. After loading the weapon, he tried to re-enter the restaurant through the same door, according to the source. When he found it locked, he became visibly angry and agitated while still holding the loaded shotgun.

It was only after that, according to the source, that the suspect began trying to climb the beer garden fence.

The suspect attempted several times to climb the beer garden fence but did not leave the area. He eventually climbed over the fence and was confronted by officers who had established containment outside.

Sedro-Woolley police officers and Skagit County deputies then took the suspect into custody.

Police Asked Public to Avoid SR 20 Area

At 4:15 p.m., Sedro-Woolley police were still asking the public to stay away from the 800 block of West SR 20 because of the multi-agency response.

Police urged people already in the area to shelter in place and avoid the surrounding area for their safety and the safety of responding officers. Authorities later said the area would remain restricted until it was cleared and access was permitted.

“We greatly appreciate our partners’ assistance in resolving this incident safely. We also greatly appreciate the cooperation of our citizens and business owners.”

Sedro-Woolley Police Department

The source said restaurant management is also thankful for the response, expressing appreciation for the work of the multiple law enforcement agencies involved in keeping everyone safe and ensuring no one was hurt.

No injuries were reported in the information released by police. PNW Daily will continue to update this story as additional information becomes available.

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