CLARK COUNTY, Wash. — A deputy with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed an off-duty Vancouver police officer at the officer’s own home Saturday.
Investigators said it began with an armed robbery at a convenience store in the Orchards area.
An employee, who asked not to be identified, said a man demanded money from the register.
“I was working my till at 8:15 p.m. Dude walks through the door, pulls out a pistol right out of his pocket, aims it at my chest holding his hand over the slide,” the clerk said.
The worker handed over some cash, then called police after the man left. Authorities say the armed man fled in a stolen car.
Clark County sheriff’s deputies pursued the man as he drove toward the Battle Ground area.
The suspect eventually abandoned the stolen vehicle and ran from the scene before ending up at the home of 52-year-old Vancouver Police officer Donald Sahota.
Oregon Live reports that the suspect banged on the door, claiming he was in a car crash and needed help.
Sahota had a gun when he confronted the suspect and was stabbed several times by the man, the sheriff’s office said.
When deputies arrived, one of them unintentionally shot Sahota as he scuffled with the suspect.
Sahota received medical aid but died at the scene.
The man was arrested.
“My heart goes out to Officer Sahota’s family and friends and those of us in his VPD family as well. His death is a tragic loss, and he will be deeply missed by many,” Vancouver Police Chief James McElvain said in a news release.
Sahota was hired by the Vancouver Police Department in April 2014. Before that, he worked as a police officer for the Gresham and Port of Portland police departments.
During his career with the Vancouver Police Department, Sahota worked in patrol, served as an EVOC (emergency vehicle operators course) instructor, an armorer, and was most recently assigned to the Training Unit.
He leaves behind a wife and two children.
The incident is being investigated by the Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team.
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