The victim reported that the suspect and a female accomplice were attempting to prowl a vehicle
On Friday (Sept. 5) at about 12:21 a.m., Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies were dispatched to Heritage High School (7825 NE 130th Avenue) following reports of multiple gunshots and a female screaming for help.
While deputies were on scene investigating, additional gunfire was heard to the north and east of the school. Deputies observed a male suspect fleeing westbound through the baseball and softball fields. The suspect jumped fences and briefly evaded visual contact. Deputies, Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers, and Washington State Patrol troopers quickly established containment, deploying three unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and two K9 teams.
Shortly thereafter, deputies located a victim at a nearby residence on the 8000 block of NE 136th Avenue. The victim reported that the suspect and a female accomplice were attempting to prowl a vehicle. When confronted, the suspect brandished a handgun, threatened to kill the victim, and fired eight rounds toward the victim and the residence. The home was struck twice by gunfire, narrowly missing the victim. Deputies temporarily detained a juvenile female in the area.
A VPD K9 team initiated a track from the last known location of the suspect, ultimately locating him hiding behind a batting backstop on the baseball fields at Heritage High School. The suspect refused to comply with commands, and the K9 was deployed to safely apprehend him. He was taken into custody and medically evaluated before being cleared for booking.
Deputies recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the incident beneath nearby bleachers. The weapon was confirmed stolen out of Thurston County, where the suspect also had active warrants for Assault 1, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Reckless Endangerment, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, and Probation Violation. Thurston County also had probable cause for additional charges, including Attempted Murder and Drive-By Shooting.
The suspect, a 17-year-old juvenile, was booked into the Clark County Juvenile Detention Hall on charges including:
- 8 counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree
- Possession of a Stolen Firearm
- 2 counts of Vehicle Prowling in the Second Degree
- Felony Harassment
- Several outstanding warrants from Thurston County
CCSO’s Tactical Detective Unit responded to assist with the investigation and notified Thurston County authorities of the suspect’s capture.
Information provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
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