ELLENSBURG, Wash. -A 21-year-old was killed in a shooting near Central Washington University on Fri., March 15, and the suspect is still at-large, according to the Ellensburg Police Department.
Kittitas County Coroner Nick Henderson has confirmed that Christian Guthrie, an Ellensburg resident, died in the shooting. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19.
CWU issued an emergency alert around 12:15 p.m. after shots were fired in the 100 block of West University Way urging students to shelter in-place, noting that the suspect was at-large.
A witness to the shooting was eating at the nearby Jack in the Box, reporting that he heard three shots fire in quick succession and saw someone running across the restaurant’s parking lot with a gun.
The shelter in-place advisory was lifted around 2:30 p.m. for CWU students and other schools in Ellensburg were released from a secure and teach advisory.
At around 4:20 p.m., a NonStop Local reporter said that a SWAT team along with officers and sheriffs were set up at a residence near Cora Street and Rainier Avenue where. Law enforcement believed that the suspect was inside.
After not finding the suspect, the SWAT team cleared the area at around 5 p.m.
The suspect is still at-large according to police, who note that it does not appear to be a random act of violence.
Ellensburg Police have identified a 17-year-old male as a suspect in the shooting and an arrest warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Although the suspect’s identity is known to police, his name and photo are not being released at this time due to the fact that he is a minor.
