Footage of fatal officer shooting near McDonalds parking lot released
Editor’s Note: This story links to footage that some readers may find disturbing.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Authorities have released body camera footage and identities of four Vancouver police officers in the fatal shooting of a man in the middle of the night on June 17.
The officers opened fire on 40-year-old Jonathan West Nelson, whom police say pointed a gun at people in a McDonald’s parking lot on Northeast Andersen Road.
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Sgt. James Kelly, Officer Jason Haigwood, Officer Justin Reiner, and Officer Philip Wilkening are all on critical incident leave while an investigation into the shooting continues.
Authorities released the body camera footage from each of the officers Tuesday afternoon. It can be seen on the Vancouver Police Department’s website.
According to Vancouver police, Sgt. Kelly has been with the department since August 2015 and was promoted to his role in January 2022. Officers Haigwood, Reiner and Wilkening all joined the department between November 2019 and July 2020.
A suspect is dead after he was shot by Vancouver police officers on June 17, 2024 (KOIN) Vancouver police shot and killed a suspect along NE Andresen Road, June 17, 2024 (KOIN)
The officers responded to the scene around 1 a.m. and said Nelson had not responded to commands when they arrived, so they released a K9 on him.
The man then allegedly pointed the gun at law enforcement, and the four police officers fired their weapons. They also shot the dog in the tail by mistake, officials said.
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Authorities said they tried to aid Nelson at the scene, but he was declared dead by hospital staff. The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office determined he died of “multiple gunshot wounds” on the public sidewalk.
The dog underwent surgery on its tail and returned home the following day.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an independent investigation of the shooting.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.
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