Vancouver Police involved in shooting

June 17, 2024

This morning at approximately 12:51 a.m., a Vancouver Police Officer driving in the 2800 block of NE Andresen Rd. was flagged down by several people who reported that a male pointed a gun at them, and the suspect was walking southbound on Andresen. Additional officers responded and located the suspect at approximately the 2400 block of NE Andresen Rd. The suspect refused police commands to stop. One of the responding officers deployed his K9 partner to contact the suspect. The suspect pointed a gun at the officers and four officers discharged their firearms, striking the suspect. During the shooting, the VPD K9 was also shot in the tail. Officers rendered medical aid to the suspect at the scene and he was transported to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. The VPD K9 was transported to an emergency veterinary hospital where he underwent surgery on his tail. 

Other than the VPD K9, no Vancouver Police Officers or bystanders were physically injured during the incident. 

Four involved officers are 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. The SW Washington Independent Investigation Response Team (SWIIRT), led by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, 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 SWIIRT.

• The SWIIRT will release the names of the involved officers.

• The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the deceased.

• Once the SWIIRT investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office for review.           

No further information is available currently.