Eleven residents from the Tri-City area are facing serious charges for allegedly running a large-scale fraud ring that reportedly defrauded insurance companies of nearly $1 million through staged vehicle accidents. In a separate incident, the Washington State Patrol is investigating a shooting that occurred during a bonfire in Capitol State Forest on December 6, injuring an 18-year-old man from Centralia. Witnesses indicated that an argument broke out among the approximately 50 attendees, leading to the victim being shot in the foot. A 22-year-old suspect was arrested the following day and is currently held in Thurston County Jail on suspicion of second-degree assault. Investigators are calling on anyone who witnessed the incident or has video or photographic evidence to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in addressing crime.

These incidents raise significant concerns regarding both insurance fraud and public safety, impacting not only those directly involved but also the community's overall sense of security.