Two suspected shoplifters shot by Olympia police

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Two men suspected of attempting to steal beer from the west Olympia Safeway were shot by an Olympia police officer early Thursday morning.

Employees at the Safeway at 3215 Harrison Avenue W. reported about 1 a.m. that two black men had attempted to steal beer and when confronted by employees, threw the items at them and fled, according to a news release.

An officer found two men matching the description a short distance away and a few minutes later notified dispatch that he had been involved in a shooting.

Preliminary reports were that both men had been shot in the chest. One suspect is in stable condition at Tacoma General Hospital. One is in critical condition at St. Peters, according to Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts.

Both men are in their twenties and believed to be from the Thurston County area.

The officer, who has been an officer for 3 years, has been put on administrative leave while the incident is investigated, following Olympia Police Department policy. The Thurston County Critical Incident Team is investigating the shooting. The Critical Incident Team is composed of detectives from five local agencies.

Cooper Point Road in the area of 14th Avenue NW is closed for the investigation.

More details will be released throughout the day.