An Oregon man was shot and killed by Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies in Salmon Creek on Saturday, April 13, after he carjacked a work van and attempted to carjack another vehicle.
The Clark County Medical Examiner identified the man as Benjamin Steven Woods, 41, of Prineville, Oregon, on April 17. Woods died of multiple gunshot wounds from the incident.
CCSO deputies initially responded to a report of a carjacking in Hazel Dell in the 9200 block of Northeast 15th Avenue. The victim reported that two suspects, a male and a female, had stolen his van, a news release by CCSO stated. The witness also stated that the male suspect, Woods, was armed with a handgun. The suspects reportedly left the scene in the stolen van, the release added.
Following the Hazel Dell carjacking, CCSO deputies were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance report near the Salmon Creek Goodwill, 14300 NE 20th Ave. Witnesses stated that a male and female attempted to carjack a vehicle with a person inside.
Descriptions of the suspects near Goodwill matched the descriptions of the armed suspects in the Hazel Dell carjacking, the release stated.
CCSO deputies responded to the scene and set up a containment area to search for the suspects. Deputies located the stolen van from the Hazel Dell carjacking behind the American Legion at 14011 NE 20th Ave., the release stated.
CCSO deputies then observed Woods enter the American Legion. They contacted the suspect inside the American Legion, where an officer-involved shooting ensued.
A female suspect in the carjacking was arrested by CCSO deputies after the shooting incident. Deputies contacted and arrested Lyndsey D. Jones for residential burglary, which was later lowered to criminal trespass, first degree, in Clark County Superior Court last week.
The Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT), led by the Vancouver Police Department, is conducting the independent Investigation of the officer-involved shooting incident, a news release by SWIIRT stated.
The investigation of the underlying crimes that occurred prior to the use of force are being investigated by the SWIIRT, as well.
DNA results and firearms analysis are still pending from the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, a SWIIRT update stated.
At the completion of the SWIIRT investigation, the case will be forwarded to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review, the release stated.
