The investigation continues into a high-speed chase that ended in a fatal shooting Wednesday at Highway 12 and Ackley Road.

Thursday the Yakima County coroner identified the man killed as 27-year-old Anthony Laviolette.

Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin told reporters Thursday, “The suspect created this incident, not us.” It all started in a neighborhood on North Gleed Road. The suspect stole a bike and put it into a Honda Civic, authorities allege. A man saw the theft, called the Sheriff's Office and started following the car.

Deputies caught up with the suspect vehicle on Highway 12 heading toward Yakima. That is when a pursuit started, reaching more than 112 mph. A few miles later, the driver, Laviolette, went off the highway into a ditch while trying to turn onto Ackley Road. With the vehicle stuck in the ditch, 23-year veteran Deputy Matt Steadman ordered the suspects to stop. The driver turned the car toward the deputy and accelerated. Sheriff Irwin says the deputy fired three shots just as the car knocked him to the ground.

The officer felt his life was in danger and shot. I thank goodness that the officer went home safe.

Twenty-seven-year-old Angela Johnson was in the car, along with a 14-year-old boy during the shooting. Both face charges related to the thefts. Johnson has three prior felonies and was dating Laviolette.

The Washington State Patrol is now in charge of the investigation.

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