PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles man arrested Tuesday night after a seven-hour standoff had been released from Western State Hospital in August 2021 after an April 2020 arrest on one count of felony harassment – threats to kill –domestic violence and one count of resisting arrest.
Tyson Cameron Welt, 37, remained in the Clallam County jail Friday after an appearance in Clallam County District Court on accusations of obstructing a law enforcement officer and fourth degree assault – domestic violence.
No bond had been set.
He had been diagnosed in 2020 with unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder by Department of Social and Health Services.
Court records also show a December 2015 appearance in Grays Harbor District Court.
A Jan 15, 2019 press release from the Corvallis (Ore.) Police Department also describes Welt’s arrest for menacing and unlawful use of a weapon after he allegedly threatened to kill his neighbor with an axe and then barricaded himself in his bedroom.
Welt obtained his GED in 2007 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army, where his specialty was 13F—Forward Observer at the E-4 pay grade. He was deployed to Haiti following the January 2010 earthquake. He later was deployed to Afghanistan. He received an honorable discharge in 2011 and moved to Oregon to attend Oregon State University.
Welt’s journey through the Clallam court system and Washington state mental health treatment system began with an April 10, 2020 arrest for investigation of one count of harassment — threats to kill – domestic violence and one count of resisting arrest. Welt’s grandfather, told a dispatcher that Welt threatened to kill him and everyone else at a residence in the 100 block of West Thirteenth Street.
Welt received a jail alternative service plan referral to Peninsula Behavioral Health on April 14, 2020. PBH submitted its report on April 15, 2020. DSHS submitted a competency assessment report on April 29, 2020.
On May 8, 2020, Welt was deemed not competent to proceed to trial. Next hearing was set for May 22, 2020.
Welt refused to appear at a June 19, 2020 hearing if it was by video. He had an Oct. 5, 2020 bed date at Western State Hospital.
A Sell hearing was held on Aug. 11, 2020. The Sell test refers to the involuntary administration of psychiatric medications to restore a defendant’s competency to stand trial. Administration of involuntary medication was ordered on Aug. 11, 2020. An agreed order was entered Dec. 4, 2020 dismissing the felony and directing civil commitment.
On Sept. 10, 2020, Welt appeared in Clallam County Superior Court where his attorney said he still was not competent. The court ordered 90 days of inpatient treatment, including the separate order for involuntary medication. A follow-up review hearing was set for Dec. 4, 2020.
An order dismissing felony charges and directing civil commitment evaluation was filed Dec. 4. 2020 in Clallam County Superior Court. The court found that as a result of mental disease or defect Welt lacked the capacity to assist in his own defense. He did undergo competency restoration. It was determined he was unlikely to regain competency in a reasonable period of time. He was charged with felony harassment. It was dismissed without prejudice, meaning the case was not dismissed forever.
Welt was released from Western State Hospital on July 26, 2021. Welt received a conditional release from medical authority and legal commitment from Western State Hospital on July 26, 2021.
Since there, there is nothing in Clallam County files about him.
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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at brian.gawley@soundpublishing.com.