An 18-year-old man is accused of shooting at three teenagers after they threw rocks and sling-shotted ball bearings at him Thursday afternoon at an east Vancouver apartment complex.
Laufilitonga K. Tamoua, from Vancouver, appeared Friday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of first-degree assault. Judge Robert Lewis set his bail at $50,000. He is scheduled to be arraigned May 27.
Vancouver police responded at 4:39 p.m. to the Brookside 112 apartments, 4619 N.E. 112th Ave., in the North Image neighborhood, for reports of a shooting and a large fight. Callers reported a car was leaving the complex and said multiple people who were involved were walking away, according to a police news release.
Police stopped the car at a nearby business and detained two 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old, the news release states.
Investigators say Tamoua had fought with the two juveniles earlier in the day and pointed a firearm at them. A probable cause affidavit states Tamoua and a teen were arguing over a girl they had both dated at Fort Vancouver High School. Tamoua told the teenager not to come to her house anymore or they would fight over it, the affidavit states.
The 17-year-olds showed up at the girl’s apartment later with the 18-year-old and began throwing rocks and sling-shotting things at her and Tamoua, court records state. The girl was injured by an object that hit her in the ribs. The objects also damaged the siding of the apartment, the metal front door and broke the kitchen window, according to the affidavit.
Tamoua told the girl and her family to go inside, and he grabbed a semi-automatic pistol, the affidavit states. Investigators say he then fired one round toward the teens, but they continued to throw things at the apartment.
Tamoua then put the gun under the seat of his cousin’s car and told him to leave, according to court records. Police stopped the cousin and detained him. Officers could see a gun under the seat, the affidavit states.
During a police interview, Tamoua admitted firing the gun, which he said he obtained that day, toward the teenager, but he said he aimed 3 feet to the side of him. Police say he also admitted to putting the gun in his cousin’s car and telling him to leave.
Vancouver police also referred charges against two of the teens for second-degree assault and second-degree malicious mischief, the news release states. Police are continuing to investigate.
