Multiple items of evidence, including two recovered firearms, have been submitted to the Washington State Patrol crime lab
VANCOUVER – The Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT), led by the Vancouver Police Department, is continuing the investigation of the officer involved shooting that occurred on Feb. 20, involving deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were dispatched to the 12500 block of NE 152nd Avenue in response to a 9-1-1 call from a female who was requesting a welfare check on her mother. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a male and a female. The female stated that she was being held against her will and had been sexually assaulted by the male, who she said was in possession of a firearm.
As deputies attempted to detain the male, he grabbed for a firearm from his waistband area and three deputies fired at the male. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female was transported to an area hospital for medical evaluation.
Deputies preparing to administer medical aid to the male, located a loaded revolver in his right front pants pocket. The firearm the male pulled from his waistband was also loaded and was located near the feet of the suspect.
The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the person who died in the Feb. 20 officer-involved shooting as 53-year-old Jonathan Gale, a resident of Brush Prairie.
Multiple items of evidence, including the two recovered firearms, have been submitted to the Washington State Patrol crime lab. Results of DNA and firearms analysis are still pending.
At the completion of the SWIIRT investigation, the case will be forwarded to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.
The investigation is continuing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Information provided by the Vancouver Police Department.
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