Investigators located firearms near the man who Clark County sheriff’s deputies fatally shot while responding to a house in Brush Prairie, according to a Friday update.
Also Friday, the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the dead man as Jonathan Gale, 53, of Brush Prairie. Gale died from multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. He was killed outside of his RV on the property, the medical examiner’s office reported.
The Southwest Washington Independent Investigation Team, led by the Vancouver Police Department, is investigating the shooting, which was reported at 1:24 a.m. Tuesday at 12521 N.E. 152nd Ave.
Deputies were called to the house shortly after midnight following a 911 call from a woman who said she was concerned for her mother’s safety, the sheriff’s office previously said.
When deputies arrived, they learned from a woman she had been held against her will and sexually assaulted by a man, whom she said had a gun, according to a Friday update from Vancouver police.
The sheriff’s office previously said the man was believed to be a family member, but investigators have not publicly confirmed the relationship.
When deputies tried to detain Gale, he pulled out what appeared to be a firearm, the sheriff’s office previously said, and deputies shot him. They provided him aid until medical personnel arrived and later pronounced the man dead, the sheriff’s office said.
The woman was taken to an area hospital to be evaluated, Vancouver police said Friday.
Crime scene investigators with the Washington State Patrol searched the property after the shooting and found firearms in close proximity to Gale, according to Vancouver police.
Five deputies were placed on critical incident leave, which is standard protocol. The investigation team has not released their names.
Deputies’ body-worn cameras captured the incident, the sheriff’s office said, and the footage will be released, but the agency has not said when that will be.
Once the investigation is complete, it will be sent to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.
