Names of all persons involved are being withheld at this time

A suspect in a domestic violence incident was found deceased after a short pursuit by law enforcement officers Saturday in Vancouver.

On Saturday (Dec. 3) at about 3:05 p.m., Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Alderbrook Apartments located at 9500 NE 19th Ave. on reports of a disturbance where a gunshot was heard.  

Witnesses described a suspect who was seen to be armed with a handgun in the parking lot.  The suspect was seen leaving the complex in a gray Hyundai as responding deputies were arriving.  Other deputies at the scene radioed that probable cause existed to arrest the suspect for Assault in the Fourth Degree (DV) and firearms charges existed.  

The deputy following the suspect attempted to stop the vehicle and a short pursuit began.  The vehicle came to a stop on NE 91st St. and NE 21st Ave. when the driver pulled to the curb.

The deputy who initiated the stop was able to get his vehicle into position and he exited his vehicle to be able to call out to the driver.  Other deputies, as well as officers from other law enforcement agencies, arrived and soon commands were given to the driver.  The driver did not respond.  Emergency dispatchers began making notifications to area residents to stay inside their homes.

An armored vehicle and an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) were brought to the scene.  The UAS was able to position right outside the driver’s window and the UAS operator reported that the suspect appeared to be deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Deputies moved up and confirmed the observations made by the UAS operator.  Deputies were able to recover the suspect’s firearm and medics confirmed the suspect was deceased.  Some of the deceased’s family were aware of the circumstances and a member of the family was provided information at the scene.  The Medical Examiner’s office was notified, and they have assumed control of the death investigation.

Names of all persons involved are being withheld at this time.     

Information provided by Clark County Sheriff’s Office.