A 34-year old Battle Ground man was arrested on Monday, April 27, in connection with the fatal shooting of a 73-year old man at a residence in the 19700 block of Northeast Davis Road south of Hockinson, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).
Brian E. Kangas was taken into custody on suspicion of second-degree murder in the death of Gary Bender after deputies responded to reports of gunfire on April 27. As of Sunday, May 3, Kangas remained held without bail in the Clark County Jail.
The Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency received a 911 call at approximately 11:13 a.m. from a neighboring residence reporting multiple gunshots. Deputies arrived to find Bender inside a home with apparent gunshot wounds to his chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to CCSO.
A 911 caller reported Kangas and Bender were alone inside the residence prior to the shooting, according to a news release by CCSO. A neighbor told dispatchers they heard three gunshots and that a woman from the property ran to their home, appearing distraught and asking them to call 911, according to court records.
The woman, later identified as Bender’s wife, told investigators she had briefly interacted with a man who came to the property before the shooting. In court records, she said her husband asked the man who he was, to which he responded, “You know who I am,” later identifying himself as Brian Kangas.
Bender’s wife told detectives she observed the man standing over her husband inside the residence shortly before she heard three gunshots. She said she did not witness the shooting directly and ran to a neighbor’s residence for help, court records state.
Another neighbor reported seeing a man leave the residence on a bicycle shortly after the shots were fired.
Deputies located Kangas riding a bicycle near the intersection of Northeast 182nd Avenue and Northeast Risto Road at approximately 11:42 a.m. He was detained without incident, CCSO stated in the release.
According to court records, Kangas was found in possession of a Ruger LCP .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol, which was seized as evidence. Investigators later determined the ammunition in the firearm matched shell casings recovered at the scene.
The handgun Kangas was in possession of had a magazine for six rounds, which was seized with only three rounds — one chambered and two in the magazine, court records state. Detectives executing a search warrant at the residence located three spent .380-caliber cartridge casings in the living room where Bender was found, deceased, seated in a recliner. No weapons were located near the victim, court records added.
Kangas was transported to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office West Precinct, where he was advised of his Miranda rights and interviewed by detectives, court records state. During the interview, investigators said Kangas selectively answered questions and declined to provide details about the incident.
At one point, Kangas told detectives there had been “severe contentions” and claimed the shooting was in self-defense, but he did not elaborate. Investigators noted he did not appear to have any visible injuries, court records state.
Court records also state that law enforcement had prior contact with Kangas related to reported mental health concerns.
Bender’s wife later positively identified Kangas as the man who had been with her husband prior to the shooting during a virtual field identification conducted by detectives, court records state.
