Vancouver Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting at the PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington.
Molly Solomon / OPB
Police and medical personnel are investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened inside a Southwest Washington hospital Thursday morning, leaving one man dead.
The incident occurred at 10:40 a.m. on the fifth floor of the PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington.
Sgt. Fred Neiman with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office said a 66-year-old man who was in custody on a parole violation from the U.S. Marshals Service was admitted to the hospital Wednesday morning for a medical issue.
The inmate was being guarded by two deputies when at least one of the officers shot the inmate. It’s unclear what prompted the shooting and whether the inmate had a weapon.
The man was taken into emergency care to treat the gunshot wound but died during surgery, according to a statement from the Clark County Sheriff's Office.
The Clark County Medical Examiner's Office identified the man as 66-year-old John Martin, the Associated Press reported.
The press release went on to say that the corrections deputies have been placed on critical incident leave. The identity of the deceased inmate will be released by the medical examiner's office following notification of next of kin. The names of the corrections deputies involved have not been released and the sheriff's office said no further information will be released at this time.
PeaceHealth spokesman Kevin Snyder said the hospital is operating as usual and no medical staff or caregivers were involved in the shooting.
“We have procedures in place,” Snyder said. “There was no delay and the second they were allowed, caregivers stepped in to begin treating the patient.”
The Vancouver Police Department's Major Crimes Division is leading the investigation.
Update, May 19, 4 p.m.: This story was updated to include the name of the inmate.
