PASCO, Wash.-The name of the Pasco Police Officer who shot and killed a machete-wielding suspect on May 23.
According to the Tri-Cities Special Investigations Unit, which has been investigating the shooting on Court Street and Road 32, Pasco PD officer T.J. Orth, shot and killed 47-year-old Salih Beslic of Pasco.
Pasco PD responded to the area around 7 p.m. for reports of a suspect threatening people with a machete.
De-escalation attempts were unsuccessful and Officer Orth shot Beslic, who was confirmed dead at the scene.
An autopsy was performed on Beslic on May 25 and confirmed that he died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the SIU.
Pasco PD officers were wearing body cams during the incident and a weapon was recovered at the scene.
According to the SIU, people in the area of Round Table and the Circle K near Road 32 may have witnessed the shooting or the behavior of the suspect before the shooting.
Officer Orth has been with Pasco PD for eight years and served with the Sunnyside Police before that. He has been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information about the shooting is asked to contact Sergeant Steve Warren at 509-545-3501 or by email swarren@franklincountywa.gov.
