A judge set a Vancouver man’s bail at $500,000 after he allegedly shot a man who he says damaged his truck with a shovel Tuesday morning in east Vancouver.
Jacob A. Cantrell, 33, appeared Wednesday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of first-degree assault. He is scheduled to be arraigned July 1. Cantrell said he’s claiming he shot the man in self-defense.
The victim is identified in court records as Randall J. Morrison. He appeared to suffer eight gunshot wounds, including several to his chest, court records say. He was in critical condition as of Wednesday afternoon, according to Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp.
Cantrell called 911 at about 1:50 a.m. to report that he shot a man, later identified as Morrison, who he said was trying to break into his truck at his house, 203 S.E. 148th Ave. The dispatcher could hear a man screaming in the background, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Cantrell told the dispatcher he shot Morrison three times in the stomach, court records say.
When police arrived, they detained Cantrell, and Morrison was taken to the hospital, the affidavit states.
Officers observed what appeared to be Morrison’s truck, parked partially in Cantrell’s driveway, with the passenger window smashed out. Police said there were multiple impacts to the window, and the damage appeared to be fresh. They also saw a golf ball-sized rock in the street that officers said could have caused the damage to Morrison’s truck, according to court records.
Police also saw Cantrell’s truck in the driveway with multiple windows shattered and glass surrounding it. They observed a shovel next to Cantrell’s truck, with a pool of blood near it, the affidavit states.
Cantrell allegedly told police that Morrison was driving around his neighborhood with a loud exhaust, and he confronted him. Afterward, he said Morrison turned around and pulled into Cantrell’s driveway. He said Morrison then grabbed one of Cantrell’s shovels and started hitting Cantrell’s truck, court records say.
Cantrell said he grabbed his gun, came back outside and shot Morrison three times, the affidavit states.
Officers said Cantrell changed his story multiple times, including where he was when Morrison began hitting his truck and whether Morrison threatened him with the shovel. Detectives said Cantrell admitted his story might not be accurate, the affidavit states.
Officers also noted a strong odor of intoxicants coming from Cantrell, court records say.
Neighbors told police they heard loud bangs followed by gunshots, but no one reported seeing the incident, according to court records. Neighbors also described Cantrell to police as being mentally ill and said he is confrontational with people in the neighborhood.
Cantrell allegedly told police he didn’t say anything to Morrison prior to shooting him, and he never explained the damage to Morrison’s truck. He said his pistol jammed while he was shooting, at which point he put down the gun and called 911. He also said he offered to help Morrison, the affidavit states.
