Crime & Safety

PROSECUTOR: Use of Force Justified in Bonney Lake Police Shooting that Killed Holly Crahay

The Pierce County Prosecutor ruled that Bonney Lake Police and Pierce County Sheriff Deputies were justified in shooting 38 year-old Holly Crahay, who fired at officers during a routine traffic stop in November.

The use of deadly force by Bonney Lake Police in the shooting of 38 year-old Holly Crahay was justified, according to Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist.

"After the deceased shot at one of the officers, missing by inches, the other officers reacted quickly and lawfully to protect their fellow officer and themselves," said Lindquist in a press release. "This incident again demonstrates the dangers officers face as they serve the public."

On Nov. 13, 2011, Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Tristin Marrs stopped Crahay for driving on SR 410 with expired tabs. She moved her car like she was going to pull over, then sped away when the officer approached her vehicle. Marrs, Bonney Lake Police Officer Kyle Torgerson and Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Kelly Carolus all engaged in pursuit. Crahay fired two shots from her handgun through the car's passenger window. One bullet went through the windshield of Carolus' patrol car and into the baseball cap he was wearing, leaving a hole through it. The officer was uninjured.

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The officers fired on Crahay and she was immediately "incapacitated" by shots to the head and torso, said the Pierce County press release. When the officers approached her vehicle, a pit bull lunged at them from the rear window, which had been broken by gunfire. Marrs shot the dog for his safety and it immediately died from the single bullet wound. The officers called for medical support and Crahay was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

According to the Pierce County Medical Examiner, Crahay died from the gunshot wounds to her head and torso.

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