Clark County Sheriff’s (CCSO) deputies shot and killed 53-year old Jonathan Gale in Brush Prairie while responding to a welfare check just after midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
CCSO deputies responded to 12521 Northeast 152nd Ave. after receiving a 911 call from a woman who stated she was concerned for her mother’s safety. Upon arrival, a woman at the location reportedly told deputies that Gale had held her against her will. She also told deputies that Gale had sexually assaulted her, an updated news release by the Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT) stated.
“Upon arriving on the scene, deputies attempted to detain the male subject. The male then produced what appeared to be a firearm, which led to an officer-involved shooting,” an initial release by CCSO stated. “Deputies immediately attempted to provide life-saving aid to the male, but he was later pronounced deceased by fire department/EMS personnel. No deputies were physically injured.”
Gale succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office stated in a news release.
The female victim was transported to a hospital for evaluation.
Washington State Patrol crime scene investigators located firearms close to Gale’s body, the SWIIRT release added.
Five CCSO deputies are now on critical incident leave, per standard protocol. According to the CCSO release, the investigation remains ongoing.
The incident was recorded as each deputy involved was wearing a body camera as part of CCSO’s Body Worn Camera Program. Video of the incident will be released at a later time, the release stated.
In compliance with WAC 139-12, CCSO personnel will not be involved in the investigation.
