Centralia police say a Friday night drug deal escalated into gunfire after three juveniles allegedly attempted to rob a seller on the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue. The shooting was detailed in an official statement published by the Centralia Police Department on its Facebook page at approximately 8:39 p.m. according to the department.

According to the CPD statement, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputies later stopped a vehicle occupied by three juveniles. One passenger told deputies he had been shot shortly before the stop. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of what authorities described as minor injuries.

Centralia detectives reported that the youths had arranged a plan to purchase marijuana but intended to rob the seller instead. Witnesses told investigators that the juvenile who was shot had brandished a firearm just before the shooting occurred. Officers say the teen then discarded the weapon out a window as deputies initiated the traffic stop.

A CPD K9 unit, Havik, was deployed to search the surrounding area and recovered the firearm. Investigators also identified a silver four-door, Honda-style sedan as the suspect vehicle reportedly involved earlier in the incident. Law enforcement used the FLOCK license‑plate recognition system to locate the vehicle and identify possible suspects, according to CPD.

Centralia police stated that detectives are continuing to investigate the case.

Why this matters for Southwest Washington

While the shooting occurred in Centralia, the circumstances reflect patterns seen across Southwest Washington: juveniles accessing firearms, drug‑market disputes escalating into violence, and increasing reliance by police agencies on automated camera networks like FLOCK to pursue leads. Cowlitz County law enforcement agencies—including Longview and Kelso police—also use the FLOCK system, making developments in neighboring jurisdictions relevant for local accountability and community understanding.

Sources

Centralia Police Department: Official statement on Feb. 14, 2026 incident

MyNorthwest: Juvenile shot while allegedly trying to rob drug dealer in Centralia