The Centralia Police Department is investigating a single gunshot fired during the noon hour Saturday in the northeast section of the city. A chase of a possible suspect followed at more than 80 miles per hour going the wrong direction on Elm Street.
Centralia Police Lieutenant Steve Whritenour says an officer on patrol heard the gunshot and began to search the area. He saw a blue four-door sedan being chased by a black four-door sedan with out-of-state plates. The officer attempted to catch up to the vehicles when they went in opposite directions.
Whritenour says the vehicle with out-of-state plates traveled the wrong way or southbound on Elm Street with no regard for the public at speeds over 80 mph. Other CPD officers attempted to get ahead of the vehicle to set up stop sticks.
Whritenour reported at one point the suspect vehicle attempted to hit a marked CPD patrol vehicle head-on. At this point, the driver was positively identified. The pursuit was later terminated due to the driver being identified and the risk to the public to continue the pursuit.
The blue car that was being chased was never located. Police are also still investigating the single gunshot that led to police discovering the two vehicles chasing each other. The gunshot was heard at 12:40 pm.
Further information will be released when the investigation is completed.
