ROYAL CITY - Investigators released more details surrounding Monday's shooting death of Pedro Salgado Ceja, 45, of Royal City.

Ceja died from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, according to Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison.

At 5:10 p.m. Royal City Police officer Rey Rodriguez responded to a possible domestic violence assault at a trailer park on Hemlock Avenue Northwest, said Kyle Foreman with Grant County Emergency Management.

Rodriguez was reportedly assisting an advocate with New Hope in removing a domestic violence victim to a safe location.

Rodriguez developed probable cause to arrest Ceja for assault in the second degree and unlawful imprisonment, but Foreman said when Rodriguez tried to place the suspect under arrest he pulled away and would not comply with orders.

Ceja reportedly grabbed a flat-bottom shovel from the ground outside the residence and advanced toward Rodriguez. Rodriguez had two less-lethal options available to him but was unable to deploy either, Foreman said.

"Officer Rodriguez had his pepper spray and Taser as less-lethal options, but because the incident evolved so quickly, he may not have had time to use them," Foreman said. "Officer Rodriguez is being debriefed (Wednesday) by investigators and they will help determine exactly what happened regarding the less-lethal options."

Wielding the shovel, Ceja reportedly chased Rodriguez, who retreated on foot at least 150 feet while ordering Ceja to drop the shovel, Foreman stated.

Witnesses reportedly said when Ceja did not obey commands and was continuing to close the distance with Rodriguez the officer fired six rounds from his sidearm. Ceja was reportedly hit in the torso, but Foreman did not know how many shots hit the suspect.

Foreman was also uncertain how many people witnessed the shooting.

Rodriguez used his two-way radio to call for help at 5:18 p.m., after which deputies and officers from several agencies responded to the scene. Firefighters and EMTs from Grant County Fire District 10 responded to provide medical attention, but determined Ceja was dead at the scene.

Rodriguez, who has been on the Royal City Police Department for two years, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation in accordance with protocol.Ê

After detectives with the Columbia Basin Investigative Team complete their investigation, all evidence, including civilian witness statements, will be turned over to the Grant County Prosecutor for a determination on the legality of the shooting.

The last officer involved fatal shooting in Grant County occurred in Ephrata in 2003, when a Grant County sheriff's deputy and an Ephrata police officer were involved in the death of a lone suspect, according to Foreman.

This is the first police shooting in Royal City, Foreman added.