Case number: OII-2024-0005
Olympia, Wash. – The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred in Vancouver, Washington on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
The Vancouver Police Department notified OII at 11:31 p.m. Dec. 4 of the incident, as required by RCW 43.102. The first OII investigators arrived and reported to the scene at 12:20 a.m. Dec. 5. Additional team members continued to respond. In total, 15 OII investigators joined the initial response.
The information provided by the Vancouver Police Department was that their officers contacted a man in the parking lot of a grocery store where there was an altercation. The man was shot and later died from his injuries. Police reported that the man was armed with a firearm at the time.
One officer was reported injured in the incident and received medical treatment. There were no other injuries reported. OII will release the name of the officer involved in the shooting within the next few days.
The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the deceased once identification is scientifically confirmed. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.
However, preliminary identification of the deceased was made, and OII has notified the next of kin. An OII family liaison has been assigned and has been in communication with the family.
OII investigators, assisted by members of the Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT), remained at the location of the shooting until just before 1:30 p.m.to complete processing of the scene, which included recovery of a firearm and other evidence.
A pickup truck associated with the deceased was also examined for evidence.
As of Dec. 1, 2024, OII responds to use of deadly force incidents in 12 counties in Southwest Washington and the Olympic Peninsula, an area designated by OII as Region 1 – West. This region (which is one of six, statewide) includes Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Clark, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Pacific, Jefferson, Kitsap, Skamania, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties.
By statute, OII is required to complete its investigations within 120 days. If more time is required, the agency must advise the OII Advisory Board the reason for the delay.
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The state Legislature created OII in 2021 to conduct independent and unbiased investigations of deadly use of force by law enforcement. It works with an 11-member advisory board that reviews and provides input on agency policies. To view this on the web, visit oii.wa.gov/news-and-updates.
For media inquiries, contact Hector Castro, Director of Communications and Community Relations, at hector.castro@oii.wa.gov or 360-870-8115.
Case Number- OII-2024-0005