Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies shot and killed a carjacking suspect in Salmon Creek on Saturday, April 13.
CCSO deputies initially responded to a report of a carjacking in Hazel Dell in the 9200 block of Northeast 15th Avenue. The victim reported that two suspects, a male and a female, had stolen his van, a news release by CCSO stated. The witness also stated that the male suspect was armed with a handgun. The suspects reportedly left the scene in the stolen van, the release added.
Following the Hazel Dell carjacking, CCSO deputies were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance report near the Salmon Creek Goodwill, located at 14300 NE 20th Ave. Witnesses stated that a male and female attempted to carjack a vehicle with a person inside, the release stated.
Descriptions of the suspects near Goodwill matched the descriptions of the armed suspects in the Hazel Dell carjacking, the release stated.
CCSO deputies responded to the scene and set up a containment area to search for the suspects. Deputies located the stolen van from the Hazel Dell carjacking behind the American Legion at 14011 NE 20th Ave., the release stated.
CCSO deputies then observed the male suspect enter the American Legion. CCSO deputies contacted the suspect inside the American Legion, where an officer-involved shooting ensued. The male suspect is dead, according to the release.
No deputies were physically injured, the release stated.
Law enforcement searched the area using a K-9 and drones but were unable to locate the female suspect, the initial release stated.
CCSO deputies later located and arrested the female suspect near NE 144th Street and NE 20th Avenue following the shooting, an update by CCSO stated.
Four CCSO deputies are now on critical incident leave, per standard protocol.
The information is preliminary, and this is an ongoing investigation. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office notified the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations. The SW Washington Independent Investigation Team (SWIIRT), led by the Vancouver Police Department, will be investigating the shooting.
Video captured by body-worn cameras and in-car cameras will be reviewed and released at a later time, the release stated.
In compliance with state law, Clark County Sheriff’s Office personnel will not be involved in this investigation, CCSO stated.
