Throughout the incident, the suspect was actively shooting at police with a high-powered rifle

What was initially described as a minor disturbance turned into an extended standoff between an armed suspect and law enforcement officials that resulted in a fatal officer-involved shooting early Friday (Sept. 27) morning in Vancouver.

On Thursday (Sept. 26) at about 11:11 p.m., the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a minor disturbance call involving several neighbors in the 5400 Block of NE 71^st Street in Vancouver. 

A resident called 9-1-1 to report that a neighbor was threatening to harm another neighbor and that there was yelling between them. While this call was being taken, another area resident called to report the same subject was being aggressive and that they had possibly shot a gun into the air. 

The original caller then reported seeing the subject armed with a handgun. Prior to police arrival, the caller reported that the subject used a knife and punctured several tires on the neighbor’s vehicles.

Deputies responded to the area. An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operator was able to get an overhead view of the subject. The subject appeared armed and was moving around his property. Since the subject was armed, Deputies used an armored vehicle to approach the subject’s residence. Deputies were able to contact him by phone, but he was uncooperative and made threats to shoot at deputies.

Based on the behavior of the subject, deputies initially decided to pull back and not provoke a further confrontation. Several minutes later, around 12:45 a.m., the subject was back out in the driveway and had fired off at least one round into the air with a gun. Phone contact was made with two females inside the subject’s residence. The females were able to leave the residence. Several more shots were then heard by deputies. 

UAS operators continued to observe the subject and saw him arm himself with a rifle from his garage. At least one round was reportedly fired with the rifle by the subject. 

Several more rounds were heard fired by a rifle as deputies re-approached the residence in an armored vehicle around 1 a.m. Deputies attempted to communicate with the subject from the armored vehicle. This continued for about 20 minutes before the subject fired several shots at the armored vehicle with a rifle. 

At around 1:24 a.m., the Southwest Washington Regional Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team was activated and responded. Other armored vehicles were used to set a perimeter around the residence. The subject continued to yell at deputies from the residence and appeared to be setting up barricaded shooting positions inside his residence. The subject took several more shots at the other armored vehicles and possibly other houses in the area. At least one round from a large caliber rifle struck the windshield of the armored vehicle and caused significant damage. (Photo Attached)

Loudspeaker announcements were made to area residents to shelter in place. Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) Emergency Management sent out an emergency alert to area residents. 

At 2:29 a.m. SWAT had arrived on scene and began to deploy their resources. At 2:36 a.m., an officer-involved shooting occurred by a member of the SWAT team. The subject was struck and was later pronounced deceased.

The Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team was activated to respond to investigate the officer-involved shooting. 

At 2:58 a.m., the shelter-in-place order was lifted. 

No law enforcement personnel or other neighbors were injured. 

In compliance with WAC 139-12, Clark County Sheriff’s Office personnel will not be involved in this investigation.

• All future communications will be sent via the Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team.
• The SWIIRT will release the names of the involved deputies.
• The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office, upon request, will release the name of the deceased.
• Once the Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

No further information is available at this time.

Information provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Vancouver Police Department.