Shooting took place after a police officer and an unidentified male got into a physical fight in the parking lot of a Safeway store

VANCOUVER – On Thursday (Dec. 4) at about 10:48 p.m., Vancouver Police made contact with a male in the parking lot of the Safeway at 13719 SE Mill Plain Blvd. During the contact, the male and the officer got into a physical fight and during the fight the male produced a firearm. 

One Vancouver Police Officer at the scene discharged his firearm, striking the male who was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. One Vancouver Police Officer was injured in the fight. No bystanders were injured. 

Three Vancouver Police Officers, the involved officer and two witness officers, have been placed on critical incident leave, per standard protocol. 

The information being released is preliminary, and this is an ongoing investigation. The Vancouver Police Department notified the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII), who will be investigating the shooting. 

As part of the Vancouver Police Department’s Body Worn Camera (BWC) Program, video captured by body-worn cameras and in-car cameras will be reviewed and released at a later time. 

In compliance with WAC 139-12, Vancouver Police Department personnel will not be involved in the independent investigation.

• All future communications will be sent via the OII.
• The OII will release the names of the involved officer.
• The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the deceased.
• Once the OII investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office for review.        

Information provided by the Vancouver Police Department.