Case number: OII-2025-0009
Tumwater, Wash. - The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) has completed its investigation of a use of deadly force incident that took place on July 30, 2025, in Vancouver, Wash.
OII’s Final Case Report, “OII-2025-0009 Whitcomb Final Case Report – Redacted,” describes the incident and OII’s investigation. It is now available on the OII website: Status of OII Investigations. The report has been redacted to protect the identities of witnesses who were interviewed and to remove sensitive photos.
The incident resulted in the death of Branden Whitcomb. Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Gonzalez is the officer who used the deadly force.
The Final Case Report and the entire investigative file were provided to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office on May 12, 2026.
OII has also provided a copy of the Final Case Report to the family of Mr. Whitcomb, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and the attorney for Deputy Gonzalez.
The prosecutor’s office will determine whether any criminal charges will be filed in this case. OII does not make a charging recommendation.
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Media contact - Hector Castro, Communications Director, at hector.castro@oii.wa.gov or 360-870-8115. Visit oii.wa.gov to view this online.