HOQUIAM — An officer’s wounding, a 20-hour standoff and the suspect’s fiery death were triggered when Hoquiam police were asked to arrest a couple wanted in Sacramento in a 9-year-old case.
The man who was shot to death by police Thursday used fake ID, and the Grays Harbor County coroner said Friday he was still working on identification.
The man died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head and trunk, Coroner Dan Burns said.
Hoquiam officers went to the Hoquiam home Tuesday to arrest a couple on a warrant from the Sacramento County district attorney’s office accusing them of real estate fraud in 2004, said Grays Harbor County Undersheriff Dave Pimentel.
Officers arrested Nina Marlowe, 53, who is in jail, awaiting extradition, he said.
The warrant also named Rick Marlowe, 49, but the man at the home had a Washington driver’s license in the name of Ray Mahailovich.
Officers left but returned Wednesday to arrest him. Police say he engaged in a shootout and wounded Sgt. Jeff Salstrom. Salstrom was treated at a hospital for a hip wound and released.
The suspect retreated into the home for a standoff that went through the night. More than 100 officers surrounded the home and fired tear gas and flash-bang grenades inside. Police said the man inside wore a gas mask and ballistic helmet.
The standoff ended just before dawn Thursday when the house caught fire.
The armed man appeared at the front door and was shot when he refused commands to drop his weapon.
Whether he fired at the officers is part of the investigation, Pimentel said. Also under investigation is how the fire started he said.
