Olympia bracing for report on officer-involved shooting

OLYMPIA - City officials and community groups are bracing for the public's reaction to a report on an Olympia officer-involved shooting in May.

The May 21 shooting of stepbrothers Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin by Officer Ryan Donald resulted in both peaceful and violent protests in downtown Olympia, The Olympian newspaper reported.

The Thurston County Prosecutor's report on the shooting is expected to be released in early August, the paper reported.

Both Thompson and Chaplin are African - American; the Olympia police officer Ryan Donald is White.

The Thurston County Sheriff's Department concluded its investigation into the shooting but has not released a report, awaiting crime lab reports, the Olympian reported.

Community groups Unity in Community and the Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation, are working on plans for volunteers to act as peacekeepers; The Olympia City Council is working on a community outreach plan and formation of a citizens task force, the paper reported.

Officer Ryan had been reprimanded during his three years with the department, the Associated Press reported.

Personnel records reviewed by The Olympian newspaper show that supervisors raised concerns in 2013 that Officer Ryan Donald putting himself in situations where using force would become necessary. Donald was also issued a written warning for arresting the wrong person in 2012.

But records also show he received commendations and completed dozens of hours of training for crisis intervention and other skills. His lawyer declined to comment on the officer’s personnel file.

Donald reported he was being assaulted with a skateboard before the May 21 shooting that wounded 21-year-old Bryson Chaplin and 24-year-old Andre Thompson.