The Daily World

A 26-year-old Nemah man is in custody after calling 911 early Thursday morning to report he had shot and killed his brother.

According to Pacific County Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy Pat Matlock, the 911 call came in at 1:17 a.m. The caller identified himself as Thomas Shotwell and told dispatchers he was leaving the residence on North Nemah Road and leaving the gun he used to shoot his brother at the residence.

“Several law enforcement personnel responded to the scene and upon arrival discovered a deceased adult male subject inside the residence,” said Matlock. The subject was later identified as the caller’s 26-year-old brother, Raymond Shotwell, and a handgun found at the scene is believed to be the murder weapon.

Law enforcement canvassed the area looking for the suspect.

“At approximately 5 a.m., Thomas Shotwell was located inside his vehicle that was parked in the Bay Center area,” said Matlock. “Deputies approached the vehicle and observed that (the suspect) was in extreme medical distress. Deputies summoned for medical aid and forced entry into his locked vehicle and took him into custody to render aid without incident.”

Matlock said it is believed the suspect may have intentionally attempted to harm himself after the incident. He was transferred to a medical facility and as of Thursday afternoon was in custody under guard.

“The two brothers lived together at the residence and a motive is unclear as to why the incident occurred,” said Matlock. “Law enforcement personnel processed the crime scene and will be continuing to investigate the incident.”

The Long Beach and Raymond police departments assisted the sheriff’s office with the incident along with the Pacific County Prosecutor’s Office.