PORT ANGELES — A Lower Elwha Klallam tribe law enforcement officer was dismissed from his job and faces arraignment on a charge of fourth-degree assault-domestic violence after what police say was a fight between brothers.
Austin W. Reames, 28, an Elwha natural resources fish and wildlife enforcement officer, was arrested Saturday by Port Angeles police officers.
As of Monday, Reames’ employment with the tribe was terminated, said Michael Peters, Elwha tribe CEO.
Peters said he could not comment further because of the active investigation.
Reames is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Clallam County District Court.
No fight
Both Reames and Garrid Larson, 21, of Forks told Port Angeles police that their injuries were not because of a fight between them.
Officers Bruce Fernie and Allen Brusseau and Cpl. Keven Miller said they investigated a report of a disturbance at a home on the 2000 block of West Sixth Street at 2:28 a.m. Saturday.
The officers said they found evidence of a physical altercation, including strewn flowerpots, broken watches, a broken tree, blood on the steps leading to the front door of the home and a pool of blood on the front porch.
A witness told police the address was the home of a law enforcement officer, and two Elwha law enforcement vehicles were parked in front of the home, officers said.
The vehicles were assigned to Reames and Officer John Gresham, another wildlife officer who also lives at the residence, officers said.
Seen arguing
Fernie said that when he arrived, he saw Reames and Larson arguing inside the front door.
They closed the door and window blinds when Fernie attempted to talk to them, he said.
Residents in the home did not respond to multiple requests by officers to come to the door, Fernie said.
Using a search warrant, officers found Reames and Larson in the home, and said they both appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
An adult man, two adult women and two children also were in the home, the reports said, adding that they did not appear to be involved.
One of the people in the house told police that Reames and Larson are brothers.
Larson, who had a cut on his head, an eye swelling shut and scratches on his collarbone and arms, said his injuries were due to a fall, either on the steps or while working in the woods, police said.
Reames, who had a swollen lip, said there had been no fight, Fernie said.
According to the report, Gresham was not seen at the property during the investigation and contacted officers later Saturday morning.
Based on the injuries to Larson and Reames, Reames was thought to be the primary aggressor in a fight and was arrested by Fernie and booked into the Clallam County jail, Fernie said.
Reames is no longer in custody.
Multiple firearms were located at the home, and police requested and received a second warrant to remove the firearms from the home for safekeeping.
Removing firearms is a standard policy in domestic violence cases, said Brian Smith, deputy police chief for Port Angeles.
Some of the firearms were determined to be the property of the Elwha Police Department, and were turned over to Elwha department officials, Smith said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
