Oak Harbor Fugitive Wanted for Arson Dies in Anacortes
A 37 year old Oak Harbor resident wanted on multiple warrants, including a 2020 arson case, died after a manhunt following an attempted arrest on November 3. The case highlights questions about inter agency coordination, public safety notifications, and local oversight as authorities continue an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
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On November 3, Oak Harbor police attempted to take into custody 37 year old James Kiesel Jr., who was wanted on multiple warrants including a 2020 arson charge. According to law enforcement accounts, Kiesel escaped the initial arrest attempt in Oak Harbor, allegedly striking police and civilian vehicles as he fled while holding a gun. Officers issued alerts and mounted a manhunt that led them to an apartment in Anacortes, where Kiesel died of a self inflicted gunshot wound when officers closed in.
The incident unfolded rapidly and drew response from multiple law enforcement agencies. Oak Harbor police identified Kiesel as the subject of the attempted arrest and notified neighboring jurisdictions as the suspect fled. Alerts to the public accompanied the search, and Anacortes officers located Kiesel at the apartment where the encounter ended. Local officials have described the investigation that follows as inter agency in nature, with Oak Harbor and Anacortes authorities coordinating activity and evidence collection.
For residents of Island County the episode raises immediate public safety concerns. The allegation that a person wanted on serious charges struck vehicles during an escape and was armed during the pursuit will prompt questions about the risks to bystanders and first responders during warrant service operations. The distribution of public alerts and the speed of multi jurisdictional response were decisive in locating the suspect, but the circumstances that led to the fatal outcome remain under review.
The case also underscores policy and institutional issues that local officials and voters may scrutinize. Warrant service protocols, pursuit and containment tactics, inter agency communication, and the use of public warnings are all relevant to how such events are managed and assessed after the fact. Island County leaders, including law enforcement oversight bodies and elected officials, may face calls for greater transparency about decision making during the operation and about the scope and findings of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have said the matter is now the subject of that inter agency probe, and further details will be released as investigators compile evidence and complete interviews. For community members seeking clarity, the outcome of the investigation will determine whether additional administrative or policy actions are warranted. The incident serves as a reminder that procedural accountability and clear information are critical to maintaining public trust when police actions result in a fatality.
