LONGVIEW — The owner of Streeter’s Resort RV Park in Silver Lake was killed last week after an 86-year-old man living at the park fatally shot him and tried to harm two women before turning the gun on himself, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.
Owner Timothy A. Russell, 56, was shot multiple times by Ronald Brant, 86, a resident of the RV park, 120 Lake Road.
Brant also fired at Russell’s wife, Ginger Heckman, who was not hit, and assaulted a woman who lives at the park during the June 19 attack, according to a sheriff’s office press release.
Brant was a military veteran, whom Russel family was close with — so close that Brant made Russell the executor of his estate and Russell considered him one of his best friends, Heckman told The Daily News.
Dean Sanders, who moved to Streeter’s Resort five years ago, called Russell “the prince of the Castle Rock-area,” and said the small community of Silver Lake is still “gathering themselves,” over the shooting.
Cowlitz County sheriff’s deputies were called to the RV park just west of the Toutle Lake School District around 10:20 a.m.
In the days before the shooting, the sheriff’s office said Brant was making unwanted advances toward the woman he assaulted.
Heckman and Russell knew of Brant’s infatuation, Heckman said, and Brant was mad at Russell for trying to interfere.
“Everyone kept saying ‘Ron leave her alone,’” Heckman said. “She wanted to be friends.”
But Brant didn’t listen.
Heckman said Brant shot her husband in the resort’s boathouse, then fired at her as she approached them.
He then went into the assault victim’s motorhome and attempted to shoot her, but the gun malfunctioned, the sheriff’s office said. The woman fought off Brant’s physical attack, and he eventually fled to his own motorhome.
Soon after, a Cowlitz County sheriff’s deputy heard a single gunshot coming from Brant’s trailer. The Lower Columbia SWAT team later used a drone to find Brant dead inside his motorhome.
Cowlitz County Coroner Dana Tucker said Brant died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His death was ruled a suicide.
Russell died from multiple gunshot wounds; his death was ruled a homicide.
Streeter’s Resort has been in operation since at least the 1960s, and offers RV sites and cabins along the eastern shore of Silver Lake. The Columbian reports Russell and Heckman took over the site in 2019.
Roy Epps, 80, of Renton, who comes to Streeter’s Resort often to fish, said he was shocked by the attack.
“It’s sad someone took him out like that,” he said.
The resort posted a tribute to Russell on Facebook on Friday, noting his humor, selflessness and passion for adventure — from boats to motorcycles.
“Tim orchestrated happiness. Whether it was a sunset cruise, late nights around a campfire, teaching kids how to fish, he ensured everyone had a good time and was always the life of the party,” the post reads. “May the stars above Streeter’s twinkle a little brighter tonight, knowing you’re among them. We’ll forever love and miss you.”
