Video shows the suspect emerging from a men’s room with what appears to be a gun before Clark County deputies shoot him multiple times.
On April 13, 2024, at 10:38 a.m., Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Deputies responded to a reported carjacking in Hazel Dell, specifically in the 9200 Block of NE 15th Avenue. The victim reported that two suspects, a male and a female, had stolen his van, with the male suspect reportedly armed with a handgun. The suspects fled the scene in the stolen van.
At 10:54 a.m., CCSO Deputies were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance near Goodwill in Salmon Creek, located at 14300 NE 20th Avenue. Witnesses reported that a male and female had attempted to carjack a vehicle with a person inside. The descriptions of the suspects near Goodwill matched those of the armed suspects in the Hazel Dell carjacking.
The suspect has been identified as 41-year-old Benjamin Woods of Prineville, Ore. Deputies responded to the scene and established a containment area to search for the suspects. The stolen van from the Hazel Dell carjacking was found behind the American Legion at 14011 NE 20th Avenue.
Deputies observed Woods entering the American Legion and, upon reaching the bathroom vestibule, witnessed him emerging from the men’s room with a K9 just ahead of him. He was seen holding a handgun pointed directly at the officers. In response, multiple deputies opened fire, and Woods quickly dropped to his knees, appearing to have been shot several times. A small revolver was found behind him on the tile floor.
Deputies provided immediate first aid by dragging Woods out onto the floor and administering aid. However, when ambulance crews arrived, they pronounced Woods dead at the scene. Fortunately, no officers or bystanders were injured in the shooting.
Despite efforts by law enforcement, the female suspect remains at large. Four CCSO deputies are on Critical Incident Leave, following standard protocol.
Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Press Release
Clark County Sheriff’s Office Releases Critical Incident Video from 4/13/2024:
On April 13th, 2024, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) was involved in a deputy-involved shooting. Multiple deputies were on the scene at the time of the incident. Four deputies were placed on Critical Incident Leave. Two deputies discharged their firearms. Two deputies witnessed the incident.
Following a deputy-involved shooting, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), at the discretion of the Sheriff, will release body-worn camera (BWC) videos of the incident. The release of these videos will be separate from the Independent Investigation Team’s (IIT) investigation.
The Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT), led by the Vancouver Police Department, is conducting an independent investigation of this incident. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is not involved in the deputy-involved shooting investigation. CCSO will conduct its administrative investigation/review after the SWIIRT investigation is completed.
The Critical Incident Video can be viewed on the CCSO Body-Worn Camera Page. (https://clark.wa.gov/sheriff/body-worn-camera-bwc-program)
The Sheriff’s Office cannot comment on the video release or the ongoing investigation. The video’s release is meant to provide visual context of the incident, as CCSO understands it to have occurred, according to the BWC video. The video does not encompass the complete context of all recordings captured by all four body cameras.
Please be aware that the video contains graphic imagery and viewer discretion is strongly advised.