One Dead, Suspect in Custody After Shooting at Smith Tower Apartments in Vancouver

UPDATE: 5:15am Friday 10-4-19 – New information in a triple shooting at a Vancouver apartment building. Authorities have identified the gunman as an 80-year-old Robert Breck, a longtime resident. One person was killed in the shooting yesterday afternoon and two others were injured in the lobby of the Smith Tower Apartments, a senior living facility. Some residents were told to stay in their apartments, others were evacuated while law enforcement negotiated with Breck. Breck was eventually taken into custody. He should make his first court appearance in Clark County today.

What a coincidence. While gunshots were ringing-out at Smith Tower, trauma surgeons at Peacehealth Southwest Washington Medical Center were teaching a program called Stop The Bleed. The Columbian reports a team of specialists was teaching community members how to respond to gunshot wounds. When news of the shooting came in, the doctors sprung into action. Two patients were transported to Peacehealth. By late afternoon they were in satisfactory condition.

 

UPDATE: 4:30PM – Vancouver Police confirms 1 is dead in the shooting. The suspect is in custody.

UPDATE: Here’s a statement from the Mayor of Vancouver, Anne McEnerny-Ogle:

“While we are still learning about what happened surrounding the shooting incident this afternoon in downtown Vancouver, our hearts go out to the victims and their families as they deal with this tragedy. I commend our police officers, fire and EMS personnel who quickly responded to the scene. I have the utmost confidence in our officers as they work to resolve the situation.”

UPDATE: Police confirm the shooting happened in the lobby of the Smith Tower Apartments. There are 3 victims, conditions unknown at this time. The potential suspect is a resident of the apartment complex. Police are in contact with the suspect, negotiating with him for a potential surrender.

UPDATE: Vancouver Fire has confirmed 2 people in critical condition have been transported to the hospital.

–Original Story–

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) – Police are responding to a report of a shooting at an apartment building in downtown Vancouver.

The Columbian tweeted photos of police at the high-rise building and said two people were receiving medical treatment in the parking lot while SWAT patrolled with rifles.

No further information was immediately available.