Local News

SIU Investigating Officer Involved Shooting

Mar 09, 2020

The North Central Washington Special Investigation Unit was requested by Okanogan County Sheriff Tony Hawley to independently investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Main Street in Riverside, Washington on March 3rd, 2020.

Shortly after 11:30 AM Okanogan County Deputies and an Omak Police Detective had cause to contact a vehicle at the above location occupied by Ryan E. Bass, 39 from Okanogan County who had a confirmed felony warrant. When the Deputies and Detective contacted Bass he allegedly presented a firearm and shot several rounds towards the officers. Two Deputies and the Omak Detective returned fire striking Bass. Officers performed CPR until relieved by EMS and Bass was transported to Mid Valley Hospital in Omak where he died as a result of his injuries. None of the Deputies or the Detective involved were injured. The Deputies and the Detective were placed on administrative leave as a standard procedure in this type of incident.

The officer-involved shooting portion of this incident is being independently investigated by the North Central Washington Special Investigation Unit. This is a multi-jurisdictional team with Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, East Wenatchee Police Department, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, Wenatchee Police Department, and the Washington State Patrol. Washington State Patrol is the lead agency for this incident.