UPDATE: After speaking with a possible person of interest in the recent death of a deer on the Island, Mercer Island police forwarded the case to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“This specific incident falls under that agency’s jurisdiction,” reads the police department’s Facebook page.

The Reporter will follow up on this story.

ORIGINAL STORY: Mercer Island police are investigating a possible deer shooting that took place on the Island.

City staff received a report of a deceased deer found on July 13 in the 8300 block of SE 83rd St. Police officers and Public Works crew members went separately to the scene and discovered a small puncture wound just above the deer’s right leg, according to the city. Officers concluded that the deer was possibly shot by a pellet gun based on the small size of the wound.

Officers reported the incident to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials who reviewed the situation and advised Public Works to dispose of the deer.

If anyone has information about this incident, contact the police non-emergency dispatch line at (425) 577-5656.