A late-night disturbance in Vancouver turned deadly after a Clark County deputy shot and killed a man accused of breaking into his parents’ home while armed and threatening to kill them.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office reported that at approximately 10:41 p.m. on Thursday, a frantic 911 call came from a residence near East 27th Street and H Street. The caller—identified as one of the parents—claimed their son was “high on meth and had been drinking,” and had broken through their front door with a firearm, declaring his intention to kill them.
Vancouver police and sheriff’s deputies responded quickly to the scene. According to authorities, by the time officers arrived, the suspect had fled on a bicycle. Around 10:47 p.m., a Vancouver officer spotted the man heading southbound on Daniels Street, and radioed that he appeared to still be armed.
Deputies tracked him down near Main Street and East 19th Street in downtown Vancouver. Just four minutes later, at approximately 10:51 p.m., one deputy opened fire. Officials say they immediately administered first aid, but the man died at the scene. No deputies or civilians were harmed.
The shooting sent shockwaves through the neighborhood. Wyatt Luedecker, who works downtown, said he was “in total shock that somebody would come out here with a gun,” adding that events of this nature are uncommon in that part of Vancouver.
Local resident Jaclyn Harris, who teaches special education, wasn’t entirely surprised. She explained that “substance abuse and mental health go hand in hand,” and emphasized the need for “more intervention-based therapies and outreach for people who are suffering.”
As per standard procedure, the deputy who discharged their weapon has been placed on critical incident leave. The sheriff’s office has not released the identities of either the deputy or the deceased man.
Several neighbors recalled hearing the chaos unfold. Christine Smith noted that from her bathroom window she could hear “some screaming, some loud yelling,” and saw a visibly upset woman across the street speaking with officers. Another neighbor, Tracey, said she was jolted awake by a man yelling things like, “Oh, you did this to me, why did you do this to me.”
Despite the incident, many residents described the area as typically peaceful. Marty Porter, who didn’t witness the shooting but heard about it the next morning, shared that “for the most part, I really enjoy living here, and it’s pretty safe.”
The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) has taken over the case. Under state law, the agency has 120 days to complete its findings. This marks the fifth incident OII has responded to in the region since December and the third in Clark County alone.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact OII’s tip line at 564-250-3396.
