Cops named in fatal New Years Day shooting in Longview

LONGVIEW — The identities of the Longview police officers involved in the fatal New Year’s Day shooting in Columbia Heights were released Wednesday afternoon.

Elijah Heston, Caitlyn Woolcott-Rose and Dylan Fletcher were the officers involved in the Jan. 1 shooting that killed Katelynn Rose Smith, 29, of Longview, a press release states. Smith was reportedly suicidal and pointed a gun at the officers before they fired.

Fletcher has the shortest tenure of the three, as he’s been with the Longview Police Department just under two years, and Heston, with the longest tenure, is a six-year veteran of the department.

All three officers involved in the incident are assigned to the patrol division of the Longview Police Department and have provided their statements to the investigators, according to the press release.

Police say when Smith exited the home in the 2900 block of Columbia Heights Road, she pointed a gun at the officers, prompting them to fire at Smith, striking her. First aid was administered, but Smith died from her wounds.

Police were called to the home because she was reported to be assaulting a man, as well as suicidal, a press release states.

None of the officers involved were injured and they were placed on critical incident leave.