“We believe those who committed and helped cover up the murder of (DeRosier) have been found, though the investigation is ongoing,” Thurman said during a press conference. “I believe any threat to the community is over.”

Thurman commended the Kelso officers who engaged with Butts Sunday night, and said that while law enforcement is relieved the threat is gone, the ideal outcome is always to bring a suspect to justice through the courts.

“Not only have we been robbed of (DeRosier), but we’ve been robbed of finding answers of why from the suspect,” Thurman said.

The two officers involved in the shooting are Rich Fletcher and Detective Tim Gower. They’ve each worked for the Kelso Police Department for 24 years.

Butts was seen tromping out of the woods wet and dirty with a firearm on Spencer Creek Road. The two lawmen shot him, and he was declared dead at the scene, Thurman said. The shooting took place around 7 p.m. and neither officer involved was injured.

Further details of the encounter still were not available Monday afternoon.