Court documents reveal more details on what led to a 44-year-old man's arrest on Sept. 19 after a reported disturbance escalated into a drive-by shooting in a Battle Ground neighborhood, with investigators later finding spent ammunition and what appeared to be a bullet hole in a nearby home.
Theodore Seaman, 44, was arrested at Battle Ground Lake State Park on Sept. 19 and booked into the Clark County Jail on suspicion of drive-by shooting, among other charges. On Friday, Sept. 25, Seaman pleaded not guilty in Clark County Superior Court. A trial date was tentatively set for Nov. 16.
The Battle Ground Police Department (BGPD) received a high-priority call at about 1:55 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, regarding a disturbance in the 1700 block of Northeast 12th Street. While officers were responding, CRESA dispatch received updated information that witnesses had reported two men inside a silver Nissan sedan and multiple gunshots being fired from the vehicle as it left the area.
The vehicle was reported to be traveling toward Battle Ground Lake State Park on Heisson Road.
Several law enforcement agencies responded, including the Clark County Sheriff's Office, Vancouver Police Department and Washington State Patrol. A Clark County sheriff's deputy later located a silver Nissan matching the description as it entered Battle Ground Lake State Park in the 18000 block of Northeast 249th Street.
According to the Battle Ground Police Department, officers and deputies detained the driver, later identified as Seaman. A juvenile passenger fled from the vehicle on foot. The juvenile was later found at a different time, and was cooperating with investigators.
Law enforcement conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area with assistance from K9 teams and unmanned aerial systems. The second suspect was not immediately located, according to a news release by BGPD.
Seaman was arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail. Battle Ground police said he was arrested on suspicion of drive-by shooting, with additional charges potentially considered as the investigation continued.
Court documents provide additional details about what investigators allege happened before and during the shooting.
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by county prosecutors, the incident began when the silver Nissan approached a residence on Northeast 12th Street as the occupants of the home were returning from church. The vehicle reportedly veered around the residents’ pickup truck and struck the curb before continuing down the street. One resident told investigators the vehicle then turned around and returned toward the residence. The driver reportedly yelled at the residents before the Nissan sped away. The resident told police the driver then pointed a firearm in the direction of the residence, followed by at least two gunshots. Witnesses reported that both the driver and passenger appeared to have firearms during the incident.
According to the probable cause statement, officers contacted witnesses at a residence on Northeast 12th Street who described a silver Nissan driving around their truck and striking a curb before continuing down the street. One witness told police the occupants had been returning home from church when the vehicle approached.
The witness told investigators the Nissan sped away and the driver pointed a firearm in the direction of the residence before multiple gunshots were heard, court documents state.
Another witness told police she observed the vehicle fleeing the scene and later saw what appeared to be both the driver and passenger displaying firearms. She reported that the driver appeared to hold a firearm and fire shots into the air, according to the court documents.
Investigators also spoke with another resident who provided video footage to law enforcement. According to the probable cause statement, the video showed the suspect vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and provided a clear, unobstructed view of the driver as the vehicle passed the residence.
The court document states that investigators recovered six spent 9 mm shell casings from locations along Northeast 12th Street and Northeast 10th Street/Northeast Heisson Road. Investigators said the locations of the casings were consistent with witness statements and video evidence regarding where gunshots were heard or observed.
Officers also conducted a walk-around inspection of the residence where the initial gunfire was reported. Investigators documented what appeared to be a bullet hole on the eastern-facing exterior wall of the residence.
According to investigators, the room closest to the apparent bullet hole was occupied by a resident at the time.
The probable-cause statement alleges the gunfire created a risk of serious injury to people inside the residence. Investigators stated that several residents were placed at risk when shots were fired in a residential area.
Police later identified Seaman as the driver based on witness statements and video evidence. Investigators also reviewed his criminal history, according to the court document, and determined he was not legally allowed to possess firearms.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
