The Columbian
A shooting took place at Smith Tower in downtown Vancouver, Washington, and police quickly swarmed the area as first responders reported to the scene. At least a dozen police vehicles and SWAT were patrolling the intersection of Sixth and Washington Streets during the active shooting situation which left one person dead, and two injured.
Robert Breck has been identified as the 80-year-old suspect arrested after the shooting.
The Vancouver Fire Department said two people in critical condition have been transported out. Both are expected to survive. A motive for the shooting remains unknown.
The suspect was described as an 80-year-old white male, wearing a blue hat, glasses, with beard, and wearing a tan hat, along with a tan and blue jacket. Police believe that the suspect has since barricaded himself inside an apartment and said that they are working on a “peaceful resolution.” FBI Seattle was on hand to assist with law enforcement, as was a special agent from ATF.
Vancouver Police said the shooting took place around 2:20 p.m. PT in the lobby of the high rise building, which is 15 stories high, and located at 515 Washington Street. Residents of Smith Tower were quickly evacuated, and police confirmed the suspect was a resident of the building.
The suspect did not take any hostages and Vancouver PD was spent nearly two hours negotiating with the suspect on the phone. People were encouraged to continue avoiding the area until he was in custody, as it remained an active shooting situation.
UPDATE: Police Have the Suspect In Custody
Smith Tower shooting suspect arrested
At 4:24 p.m. the suspect was taken into custody. He gave up and did not attempt to shoot at police.
Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogl put out the following statement following his arrest: “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.”
The Smith Tower Apartment Complex Is Located in a Portland Suburb
Shooting in downtown Vancouver at senior apartment facility Smith Tower. Vancouver Fire says 2 critical patients have been transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. Media briefing happening shortly.
The Smith Tower Apartments is an affordable retirement living home in Vancouver, and is also considered to be located in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon. The senior living facility, which also accepts low-income residents, contains 170 one-bedroom and studio homes to seniors.
The building is owned by Mid-Columbia Manor Inc, a non profit comprised of local Labor Unions, and is helped run by city and government assistance. It houses people ages 62 and up, and is walking distance to Esther Short Park.
During the active shooting situation, the area surrounding the Smith Tower was put on lockdown. Public access to City Hall was temporarily shut down and the roads from from Ester to Main, and 7th to 5th street were closed. The C-TRAN buses in the area were re-routed to help residents evacuate the area, and did not allow other passengers to board during the lock down.
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