Elderly man arrested for alleged shooting, victim unharmed 

 A man was shot at multiple times during a disturbance in a rural Yelm neighborhood, which led to the arrest of a 74-year-old resident. 

 Around 2:55 p.m. on May 7, Yelm Police Department (YPD) and Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) personnel responded to reports of gunfire and a man calling for help near Prairie Heights Street SE and Vancil Loop SE.  

 Six callers reported hearing at least two shots, with some witnesses hearing shouting from the area, according to a TCSO report. 

 Authorities responded to the area and spoke with the victim, who stated he had been shot at while standing near his bicycle and skateboard on a nearby property. 

 When questioned, the victim said another man holding a rifle approached him and said, “I’m gonna shoot you.” He immediately ran away and shouted for help. 

 He described the shooter as an elderly male with a beard and wearing an “Indian Jones” type of hat. 

 Authorities then spoke with the alleged shooter, 74-year-old Michael Waddell, who first claimed he saw a man on the property named “Bob,” who told him he would take care of the trespasser. He also claimed he did not hear shots being fired. 

 But the victim positively identified Waddell as the shooter during a field identification, the TCSO said.

 A search of the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of a Benelli 12-gauge shotgun, believed to be the weapon used during the shooting, as well as a Colt pistol. Authorities also found spent shell casings believed to be from the shooting, as well as unused shell casings. 

 Authorities also found the “Indiana Jones” type of hat the victim described the shooter to be wearing. 

 Because of the victim’s statement and the evidence gathered at the suspect’s residence, Waddell was arrested and booked into the Thurston County jail on three counts of first-degree assault.