Bodycam: Wash. Deputy Takes Down Armed Suspect who Threatened to Kill Parents

In a confrontation following a brief chase, a Clark County sheriff's deputy fatally shot a 36-year-old man after the suspect allegedly broke down the door of his parents' Vancouver home and threatened to kill them.

Aug. 20, 2025

2 min read

What to know

Clark County deputies responded July 30 to a call concerning an armed 36-year-old man who allegedly broke into his parents’ home and threatened to kill them before fleeing on a bike.
A deputy confronted the suspect in Vancouver, repeatedly warning him to drop the gun before firing four times as the man moved his arms near his torso.
The suspect died at the scene, and a gun was recovered nearby.

By Fedor Zarkhin

Source oregonlive.com

Clark County Deputy Michael Gonzalez screamed “you’re gonna get shot” four times before shooting and killing a man in Vancouver who had reportedly threatened harm to his family and had a gun.

The July 30 encounter began when deputies were called to a home near East 27th Street and H Street after a report that Branden Michael Whitcomb, 36, had been drinking and using methamphetamine and had broken down the front door and threatened to kill his parents.

Whitcomb left on a bike before officers arrived but was spotted minutes later by Vancouver police.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has released video footage from a police dashboard and body camera of what happened next.

As an officer chased Whitcomb on foot in the middle of the street, Whitcomb got off of his bike and ran toward a well-lit storefront. Gonzalez then jumped out of his car and toward Whitcomb.

Almost immediately after getting out of his car, Gonzalez said “gun” and pulled out his own and pointed it at Whitcomb.

“Get on the ground right now, you’re gonna get shot,” Gonzalez shouted.

Whitcomb fell to his knees and appeared to move his arms near his torso and turned slightly away from the officers.

Gonzalez ordered Whitcomb to “drop it now” and shouted “you’re gonna get shot” three more times before firing four times. Whitcomb then fell back. After the shooting, the deputy told other officers that Whitcomb’s gun was lying near Whitcomb’s head. The body camera footage appeared to confirm that statement.

Whitcomb was declared dead at the scene. Gonzalez was put on administrative leave, which is standard practice. The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations is investigating the shooting, Clark County said.

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