Dashcam Video of Chelan County Officer Involved Shooting and Pursuit

Photo: Chelan County

Chelan County, WA- The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office released dash cam footage from Deputy Lee Risdon’s Cruiser that was taken around 12:50 am on March 2nd, 2016.

In the video, Deputy Risdon can be seen making contact with a man  sitting in a truck in a Leavenworth Parking Lot.   As the deputy greets the driver, he rolls down the window before exiting the vehicle and firing at the deputy. A total of 28 shots were fired before the suspect  lead  Deputies on a Chase towards Cashmere, before crashing his truck and being taken into custody.
Warning: The Video may be disturbing for some viewers.

Dashcam Video of Leavenworth Shooting & Pursuit from Wenatchee World on Vimeo.

Original Story:

Chelan County, WA- Sheriff Brian Burnett reports that at approximately 12:50 AM, a Chelan County Sheriff’s Deputy contacted a vehicle in a parking lot in Leavenworth. As the Deputy approached the vehicle the driver

displayed a gun, shots were fired and the suspect fled eastbound on US 2 in a 2006 Dodge pickup.
Two Chelan County Deputies pursued the vehicle eastbound on US
2. As the vehicle approached Cashmere, the Washington State Patrol deployed spike strips and punctured the suspect’s tires. The
vehicle continued eastbound on US 2 for approximately one mile before it left the roadway to the right and came to rest in a ditch. After a short stand off the suspect exited the vehicle and surrendered to Deputies.
The suspect was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with a gunshot wound to his hand. The suspect is identified as a 66 year old male from Cheyenne, Wy. No officers were injured in the incident. The suspect was alone in the vehicle and th
ere are no additional suspects.
The investigation has been turned over to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU). The SIU team is comprised
of investigators from Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Wenatchee PD, Washington State Patrol, East Wenatchee PD, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
***UPDATE March 2, 2016 11:00 AM***

The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has confirmed that the suspect, Robert L. Friess, was released last night from Harborview Medical Center after being treated for his injuries. Friess was transported back to Chelan County and booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center for Assault 1st and Felony Eluding.

SIU also confirms that a handgun has been recovered from the suspect’s vehicle.  The handgun will be sent to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab for processing.

***UPDATE March 2, 2016 3:00 PM***

The Special Investigation Unit has released the name of the deputy involved in Monday morning’s shooting as Deputy Lee Risdon. He is a veteran officer who has been with the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office since October 2006. Deputy Risdon has been placed on administrative leave which is standard procedure while the investigation is being completed.

About the Author

Chris Nelson
I'm a long time Skagit County Resident. I believe in doing the right thing and helping others when you can.

Be the first to comment on "Dashcam Video of Chelan County Officer Involved Shooting and Pursuit"

Leave a Reply