Port Angeles – The Port Angeles Police Department, in a joint statement with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, released the following information about Monday’s police-involved shooting. It will be the last report we will get from local law enforcement, as the state’s new Office of Independent Investigations (OII) has taken over the case.
On Sunday, November 16, Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputies were contacted by a Clallam County resident regarding community safety concerns due to the recent behavior of a Port Angeles resident. These concerns included their knowledge of the subject’s criminal history, relapse into drug use, and observing the subject in possession of a handgun.
Deputies learned that the subject, 39-year-old Matthew Tyler Charles, had a confirmed US Marshals Service arrest warrant, was prohibited from possessing a firearm, and was considered a violent crime suspect.
Deputies requested the assistance of the regional OPNET team in locating Charles, and on Monday OPNET detectives spotted Charles walking on 10th Street between F and G Streets. When uniformed PAPD Officers attempted contact, Charles ran. Officers made multiple attempts at de-escalation and attempted to use non-lethal force to stop him.
Officers say Charles pointed a handgun and exchanged rounds in a shooting with multiple PAPD Officers. After the shooting, Officers rendered medical aid to Charles and secured his handgun as evidence. Charles was transported to the hospital and later pronounced deceased.
Officers secured the scene and preserved evidence prior to OII’s arrival. At 4:00 p.m., the first OII investigators arrived at the scene and assumed jurisdiction of the investigation.
Once the OII investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney for review.