Man accused of shooting AR-15 at WA deputy faces life in prison
The Brief
The man accused of shooting an AR-15 at a Thurston County deputy faces life behind bars.
Damien Madison fled the state after opening fire on a deputy during a high-speed chase, according to investigators.
More than a month after the crime, Madison finally appeared in a Thurston County courtroom packed with deputies, with his trial now scheduled for August.
OLYMPIA, WA - The man accused of firing an AR-15-style rifle at a sheriff's deputy during a high-speed chase in Thurston County and fleeing the state appeared in court Wednesday.
Damien Madison, 27, faces multiple charges in connection to this crimespree including first-degree assault, drive-by shooting, unlawful possession of a gun. Madison also has several active cases in Thurston County.
During the hearing, the prosecution addressed the judge regarding Madison's charges.
"He was willing to sacrifice his own safety, the safety of the men and women in this community that give their lives every single day, and that he fired upon them in such a wanton and disregard for the safety of everyone in this community is abhorrent to the state," a prosecutor said in court. "Mr. Madison is someone who poses an extreme danger to himself, to the loved one that was with him, to everyone that operates a motor vehicle in this community," she added.
What they're saying
About 50 deputies from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office filled the courtroom in a show of support. Sheriff Derek Sanders said the large turnout was about standing with one of their own.
"If you think that no one got hurt, you don't get shot at and just come back normal. I don't care who you are. Whether you're in law enforcement, or military, member of the community, anytime you got rounds flying your way, you don't come out the same on the other side. I would just say it's important for our deputies to see the kind of community support," Sanders said.
During the hearing, Madison wiped his eyes several times and buried his head in his hands after the judge noted he could face life in prison if convicted.
"I hope there is some remorse, and regardless of how this case resolves, even for the worst of the worst offenders, I hope they can find a way to somehow become better people and amend what they have done," Sanders added.
Madison is currently being held without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled, and trial proceedings are expected to begin later this summer.
The Source
Information in this story came from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
Anti-ICE protesters clash with police at Seattle Federal Building
Home of Seattle rapper Macklemore invaded, nanny maced: police
2 dead after 'tragic' bus accident at Seattle retirement home
WA deputies arrest teens for pistol-whipping boy, armed robberies
Cyberattack hits supplier to Whole Foods and PCC; could impact store supplies
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
22 minutes ago
- CNN
Australian man shot and killed at a villa on the tourist island of Bali
Authorities were searching Saturday for two Australian gunmen suspected of fatally shooting an Australian tourist and injuring another at a villa on the Indonesian resort island of Bali. The shooting just after midnight on Friday at Villa Casa Santisya near Munggu Beach in the district of Badung killed Zivan Radmanovic, 32, from Melbourne. The second victim, who is 34 and also from Melbourne was beaten, said Badung Police chief Arif Batubara. 'We cannot yet determine the motive,' Batubara said, adding that an investigation is underway. The two Australians were rushed to hospitals in Denpasar, the provincial capital. According to police, the villa had only three rooms occupied with a total of five guests when the shooting happened. The two victims' wives were also there and another foreign tourist, Batubara said. Radmanovic was shot in a bathroom, where police found 17 bullet casings and two intact bullets. At least three witnesses at the villa told investigators that two gunmen, one wearing orange jacket with a dark helmet and another wearing a dark green jacket, a black mask and a dark helmet, arrived on a scooter at the villa around midnight. Radmanovic's wife, Gourdeas Jazmyn, 30, told police that she suddenly woke up when she heard her husband screaming. She cowered under a blanket when she heard multiple gunshots. She later found her husband's body and the injured Australian, whose wife has also testified to seeing the attackers. The Australian Consulate in Bali has been contacted by authorities and an autopsy for further investigation is still waiting permission from the family of the victim, Batubara said.
CNN
22 minutes ago
- CNN
Australian man shot and killed at a villa on the tourist island of Bali
Authorities were searching Saturday for two Australian gunmen suspected of fatally shooting an Australian tourist and injuring another at a villa on the Indonesian resort island of Bali. The shooting just after midnight on Friday at Villa Casa Santisya near Munggu Beach in the district of Badung killed Zivan Radmanovic, 32, from Melbourne. The second victim, who is 34 and also from Melbourne was beaten, said Badung Police chief Arif Batubara. 'We cannot yet determine the motive,' Batubara said, adding that an investigation is underway. The two Australians were rushed to hospitals in Denpasar, the provincial capital. According to police, the villa had only three rooms occupied with a total of five guests when the shooting happened. The two victims' wives were also there and another foreign tourist, Batubara said. Radmanovic was shot in a bathroom, where police found 17 bullet casings and two intact bullets. At least three witnesses at the villa told investigators that two gunmen, one wearing orange jacket with a dark helmet and another wearing a dark green jacket, a black mask and a dark helmet, arrived on a scooter at the villa around midnight. Radmanovic's wife, Gourdeas Jazmyn, 30, told police that she suddenly woke up when she heard her husband screaming. She cowered under a blanket when she heard multiple gunshots. She later found her husband's body and the injured Australian, whose wife has also testified to seeing the attackers. The Australian Consulate in Bali has been contacted by authorities and an autopsy for further investigation is still waiting permission from the family of the victim, Batubara said.
CBS News
27 minutes ago
- CBS News
Protests expected across Western Pennsylvania and the country on Saturday as part of "No Kings"
Protests are expected across the Pittsburgh area today as part of a nationwide demonstration known as "No Kings." Several gatherings are planned in connection with events in Washington, D.C., and President Trump's birthday. Meanwhile, local officials say that they're monitoring the situation and preparing as needed. Police have added that they're prepared for anything that may come their way in connection with the many demonstrations planned across Allegheny, Washington, and Butler counties, and beyond. While most of the demonstrations are expected to take place in Downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday, police, EMS, and firefighters will be on standby. If you're one of the people headed to these demonstrations or traveling through other demonstration areas, be prepared for potential road closures and traffic delays. Pittsburgh's Public Safety Director, Lee Schmidt, said they've been in contact with protest organizers and have made it clear they will not be tolerating outside groups coming in and causing destruction, something that's been seen recently in Los Angeles. If violence or property damage occurs, Schmidt said that charges will be filed; however, the goal is for these events to remain peaceful. "Us and the demonstrators that we've been working with will not tolerate that," Schmidt said during a press conference on Thursday. "They do not want outsiders coming in and engaging in destroying public property or private property. None of us feels that's helpful or sends the right message. It is about being peaceful, getting your First Amendment rights out without destruction of our city." These demonstrations aren't just limited to downtown. If you have to travel today, be aware that you may encounter large crowds. We will have coverage of the demonstrations throughout the region throughout the day on Saturday on air and on
