A bizarre true crime scene that could come straight out of a low-budget action movie unfolded in Washington state, where a sheriff’s deputy used a rope to lasso a chainsaw-wielding man wading in a pond.
Yes, you read that right — a deputy went full cowboy to take down a suspect reportedly armed, erratic, and half-submerged in water. The incident, which is now making headlines, has left many asking: What exactly happened, and how did it get this weird?
A man acting “strangely”
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, the chaos began when deputies responded to a call about a man acting strangely and allegedly threatening people with a chainsaw near a rural property just outside Roy, Washington.
When deputies arrived on the scene, the man reportedly fled into a nearby pond, still clutching the chainsaw. Authorities later confirmed that the chainsaw was running when the suspect entered the water.
As the suspect splashed around, refusing to comply with commands, deputies realized they had a serious problem on their hands. A chainsaw-wielding man in waist-deep water isn’t exactly textbook law enforcement territory.
A standard takedown was too dangerous given the potential for injury, and possibly electrocution if the chainsaw hit the wrong thing. That’s when one quick-thinking deputy pulled out a rope, fashioned a makeshift lasso. He then did something you’d expect from a rodeo, not a law enforcement operation.
One deputy’s quick thinking saved the day
The deputy tossed the rope across the pond, managing to hook the man and yank him toward the shoreline, where other officers quickly moved in to detain him. Authorities recovered the chainsaw from the water. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Law enforcement evaluated the suspect at the scene. He later underwent a mental health assessment.
The sheriff’s office released a statement acknowledging the unusual nature of the arrest, commending the deputies’ quick thinking and creativity in avoiding what could have been a deadly confrontation.
The suspect, whose name has not yet been released, is reportedly facing multiple charges, including felony assault and resisting arrest. Law enforcement sources say the man may have been under the influence of drugs or experiencing a mental health crisis at the time. As of this writing, he remains in custody at the county jail while prosecutors consider formal charges.
This wild Washington pond standoff has ignited a wave of online reactions, with social media users praising the deputy’s resourcefulness and others jokingly suggesting the sheriff’s office start a rodeo division.
Still, officials are using the moment to highlight the broader issue of mental health emergencies and the challenges law enforcement face when suspects behave unpredictably or dangerously.
Published: Jun 19, 2025 03:36 am