The involved officer has been identified as Vancouver Police Officer Cameron McAnally
Additi;onal details, including the identity of the Vancouver Police Officer involved, have been released in relation to the investigation of a Sept. 27 officer-involved shooting in Vancouver. The Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team (LCMCT) independent investigation of the Sept. 27 incident in the 5400 block of NE 71st Street in Vancouver is ongoing.
Investigators interviewed several residents in the area of this incident, who reported ongoing problems with Michael Williams. Williams reportedly made numerous derogatory statements towards neighbors regarding their ethnicities and slashed the tires of a neighbor’s vehicle. Williams was also reported to have been armed and had fired off multiple shots prior to the arrival of law enforcement officers.
Once law enforcement officers arrived on scene, Williams continued to fire shots and made
threatening statements. Neighbors reported that Williams appeared to be intoxicated, and a
deputy who spoke to Williams on the phone during the incident described Williams’ speech as being slurred.
Attempts to de-escalate were unsuccessful, with Williams eventually firing multiple shots at law enforcement officers and neighboring residences from an upstairs window and from the front door area of his residence. An armored vehicle took multiple shots, including at least one direct hit to the windshield from a high-caliber rifle, endangering the lives of six law enforcement officers inside the vehicle.
The involved officer has been identified as Vancouver Police Officer Cameron McAnally.
The 28-year-old McAnally has served with the Vancouver Police Department for five years and serves with the Southwest Washington Regional SWAT Team (SW SWAT). Officer McAnally deployed to this incident with SW SWAT as part of a sniper team.
In a statement provided to LCMCT investigators, Officer McAnally stated he observed Williams near the rear door of his residence, armed with a rifle, as he appeared to be targeting other law enforcement officers. Officer McAnally stated he feared Williams posed an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officers at this time. Officer McAnally fired one shot, striking Williams in the neck. Williams was pronounced deceased at the scene.
LCMCT investigators recovered several firearms from Williams’ residence, including a HM
Defense model HM50B.50 caliber rifle, which investigators believe was used to shoot the armored vehicle. Investigators also confirmed that a neighboring residence had been hit by a bullet during the incident.
No further details are available for release at this time.
Information provided by the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.
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