Officials identify man shot by Vancouver police after allegedly pointing gun at civilians

Vancouver police shot and killed a suspect along NE Andresen Road, June 17, 2024 (KOIN)

PORTLAND, Oregon (COIN) – A man who shot dead by police in Vancouver on Monday was identified as 40-year-old Jonathan West Nelson.

Vancouver police said they responded shortly before 1 a.m. Monday morning to reports that a man pointed a gun at people in a McDonald’s parking lot near Northeast Andersen Road.

After tracking the suspect down a few blocks, police said the man didn’t listen to commands, so they sent a sniffer dog after him. The man then allegedly pointed the gun at police, and four officers returned fire, hitting him. They also accidentally shot the dog in the tail, officials said.

Authorities said they tried to help the man, who was later taken to a hospital, but he was later pronounced dead. The dog underwent surgery on its tail.

West, who was later identified as a suspect, died of “multiple gunshot wounds” on the public sidewalk, the Clark County Coroner’s Office said in a news release Thursday.

William Buschtschosik, a witness to the incident, told KOIN 6 News he heard several gunshots in quick succession as the incident occurred.

The four officers involved have all been placed on emergency leave, per standard protocol. Authorities said the Clark County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting and that body camera footage will eventually be released.