SOAP LAKE, Wash. (02AUG2015) – A standoff between law enforcement officers and an armed gunman ended peacefully this afternoon thanks to negotiators and an E-cigarette.
Jason B. McIlwain, 32, had been sought by police since a shooting early Sunday morning near Soap Lake. McIlwain had shot at two persons he knew but nobody was injured. Deputies are still unraveling the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
McIlwain was spotted by law enforcement around noon in the Lakeview community near Soap Lake. He fled on foot into a small grove of trees. Deputies and state Fish and Wildlife police surrounded the grove and attempted to coax McIlwain out. The Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team and crisis negotiators were called. During the standoff, McIlwain fired three shots from a handgun. An alert was sent out to area residents to shelter in place while the incident evolved.
A citizen helped officials by flying a drone with a live action video feed, which helped provide negotiators with McIlwain’s location and actions.
McIlwain asked negotiators for a pack of cigarettes around 3:30 p.m. The request was denied because police feared McIlwain could start a wildfire in the tinder dry brush. Someone suggested offering McIlwain an E-cigarette instead. Deputies then went to a Soap Lake grocery store and bought one.
Negotiators gave McIlwain the E-cigarette, he smoked it and shortly thereafter surrendered without incident.
McIlwain is lodged in the Grant County Jail on suspicion of felon in possession of a firearm. More charges are expected, and the investigation continues.
“We are all very pleased this had a happy ending,” said Sheriff Tom Jones. “This is one of those high-profile incidents which show how well teamwork and training pay off.”
Several agencies helped with this incident, including the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Soap Lake Police, Moses Lake Police, Ephrata Police, Washington Fish and Wildlife Police, Washington State Patrol, Adams County Sheriff, American Medical Response, the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team and the Multi Agency Communications Center.
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