Clark County Deputy Fatally Shoots Armed Vancouver Man, Investigation Ongoing

Branden Michael Whitcomb, 36, was fatally shot by Clark County Deputy Michael Gonzalez on July 30 in downtown Vancouver following a 911 call reporting that Whitcomb, who was high on meth and had been drinking, had broken into his parents' home armed and threatening to kill them. Whitcomb fled the scene on a bicycle and was later spotted armed by a responding officer before the fatal confrontation with Deputy Gonzalez. Gonzalez, who has been with the Clark County Sheriff's Office since 2021 and serves as a patrol K9 handler, has been involved in two previous fatal police shootings, one in 2019 and another in 2021, both of which were ruled justified. The medical examiner ruled Whitcomb's death a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds to the head, neck, and torso. The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations is conducting a review of the incident, including evidence and body camera footage, with Gonzalez placed on critical incident leave pending the investigation. No additional injuries were reported in the incident, and authorities have assigned a family liaison to Whitcomb's family.