According to Vancouver Police, throughout the incident, the suspect was actively shooting at police with a high-powered rifle

VANCOUVER – On Friday (Sept. 27) morning, Vancouver Police, as part of the Southwest Washington Regional SWAT team, responded to assist the Clark County Sheriff’s Office with an incident in the 5400 block of NE 71^st Street.  

Throughout the incident, the suspect was actively shooting at police with a high-powered rifle. One of the shots hit a SWAT armored vehicle, nearly shattering the front windshield. A Vancouver Police Officer was inside the armored vehicle at the time, sitting next to the windshield when it was struck by the rifle round. 

SWAT officers were positioned around the suspect residence, and it appeared he was setting up barricaded shooting positions inside his residence. At approximately 2:36 a.m., officers saw the suspect standing at a sliding door of the residence armed with a rifle and wearing what appeared to be a ballistic helmet and a gas mask.  A Vancouver Police Officer, who is a member of the SW Washington Regional SWAT team, fired his weapon at the suspect. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Two Vancouver Police Officers have been placed on critical incident leave. One is the involved officer; the other is a victim officer who was inside the armored vehicle when its windshield was struck by the suspect’s rifle round. 

The information being released is preliminary, and this is an ongoing investigation. The Vancouver Police Department notified the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations. The Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team, led by the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, will be investigating the officer-involved shooting. 

As part of the Vancouver Police Department’s Body Worn Camera (BWC) Program, video captured by body-worn cameras will be reviewed for release 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 related to this investigation will be sent via the Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team.
• The Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team will release the name of the involved officer.
• The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office 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. 

Information provided by the Vancouver Police Department.