VANCOUVER, Wash. (NewsNation Now) — A Black man was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy north of Portland, Oregon on Thursday night.
Clark County, Washington Sheriff Chuck Akins said the Clark-Vancouver Drug Task Force were conducting a narcotics investigation when a man ran from officers.
“The information that I have is that upon entering the parking lot of the bank, the man repeatedly — reportedly fired his weapon at the deputies. The deputies returned fire and the subject was tragically killed. It is my understanding that the man’s firearm was observed at the scene,” Akins said.
Authorities didn’t officially identify the man, but the NAACP of Vancouver posted that Kevin Peterson Jr. was killed. Akins acknowledged that report and reminded the public that his family is grieving.
“There’s a lot about this situation that I don’t even know about at this point,” Akins said.
Part of the reason is that Washington state law requires an independent law enforcement agency to investigate. That will be Camas Police Department.
Akins said his agency is participating and wants a thorough investigation, and said Peterson’s family needs to be kept informed.
The shooting happened just before 6 p.m. (PT) Thursday near the 6800 block of NE Highway 99, according to the sheriff’s office.
The NAACP said a vigil is planned for the 21-year-old at 7 p.m. (PT) Friday at the US Bank branch at 6829 NE Hwy 99 in Vancouver.
Protesters on Thursday night were chanting “Say his name” and “Black Lives Matter” among other things at the edge of the police tape. Protests continued as Clark County deputies’ SUVs were lined up and blocking the roads. Deputies were in riot gear and helmets, NewsNation affiliate KOIN-TV reported.
Akins said he expected the community to mourn again Friday.
“I call there to be a respectful and dignified observance,” he said.
Akins said law enforcement also expected protests, but there are currently no plans for controlling them.