Patrick Wetzel, 41, seems Nov. 15 in Clark County Superior Courtroom on suspicion of first-degree housebreaking, second-degree illegal possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment, aiming/discharging a firearm and safety order violation. Prosecutors have since added a cost of second-degree assault, accusing Wetzel of pointing a gun at legislation enforcement. (Becca Robbins/The Columbian recordsdata)
Photograph
The Clark County sheriff’s deputy who shot a Camas man Nov. 13 has fired his weapon in two earlier legislation enforcement shootings, Columbian archives present.
The Washington State Patrol on Thursday recognized the deputy as Forrest Gonzalez. The State Patrol is main the capturing investigation as a part of the Southwest Washington Unbiased Investigation Workforce.
Gonzalez shot Patrick Wetzel, 41, within the driveway of Wetzel’s estranged spouse’s Camas house. Wetzel was struck within the shoulder, court docket information state, and handled at a hospital.
Gonzalez, who has labored for the sheriff’s workplace since 2018, was concerned within the Feb. 20 capturing of Jonathan “Scott” Gale, 53, in Brush Prairie. As Gonzalez and different deputies tried to detain Gale in reference to sexual assault allegations, the deputies mentioned Gale pulled a gun from his waistband. Gale was fatally shot.
Gonzalez was additionally concerned within the October 2021 capturing of Kfin Karuo, 28, of Vancouver. Gonzalez advised investigators Karuo pointed a gun at him as Karuo fled from his crashed SUV following a chase. Karuo died on the scene.
The Clark County Prosecutor’s Workplace didn’t reply to The Columbian’s questions concerning the standing of its evaluate of these earlier shootings as of Thursday’s press time.
Dashcam footage
Wetzel is dealing with fees of first-degree housebreaking, second-degree illegal possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment, aiming/discharging a firearm and safety order violation. A cost of second-degree assault was added Tuesday, accusing Wetzel of pointing a gun at Gonzalez and two different deputies, court docket information present.
Wetzel’s household mentioned he has schizophrenia, in accordance with jail reserving information.
Courtroom information point out Gonzalez, three deputies and a Vancouver police officer have been in an armored SWAT car approaching Wetzel, who was seated in his automobile within the driveway of a home within the 2300 block of Everett Road. Different officers have been taking cowl behind the armored car.
Legislation enforcement from a number of companies responded to the home for studies of pictures heard, they usually believed Wetzel was violating a home violence no-contact order by being at his estranged spouse’s home, in accordance with earlier investigator statements.
Investigators mentioned Wetzel will be seen on the armored car’s sprint digital camera footage entering into his Kia, which was dealing with the SWAT car, and holding what seems to be a pistol. He will be seen utilizing his different hand to tug again the slide of the suspected gun, doubtless racking it, court docket information state.
Wetzel then seems to yell at officers and decrease the gun. He will be seen taking a drink out of a can, earlier than placing that down. He’s then seen elevating an object, pointing it in entrance of him. Investigators mentioned a water droplet on the sprint digital camera then obscured the view of Wetzel within the automobile, in accordance with court docket information.
Gonzalez then fired three pictures into the windshield of Wetzel’s automobile, in accordance with investigators.
In audio from a deputy’s physique digital camera, that deputy will be heard saying, “He’s got a gun in his hand, and he’s racked it.” Later, that deputy will be heard saying, “He’s pointing it,” court docket information state.
When investigators searched Wetzel’s automobile, they discovered a pistol. They mentioned they decided the pistol was unloaded, didn’t have {a magazine} in its properly and there was no ammunition within the automobile. However they mentioned the protection was off on the gun and the slide was ahead with the hammer cocked, in accordance with court docket information.
Wetzel is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday. Courtroom information present he posted bond and was launched from the Clark County Jail.