Vancouver Police Release Bodycam Footage of Officer-Involved Shooting at Home

Table of Contents

Background of the Incident

The Vancouver Police Department released body-cam footage from officers who shot and killed an armed man in a residential area late last Saturday night. This video aimed to address some unanswered questions about the shooting that occurred just before midnight on Northeast 46th Street and 132nd Avenue. The incident began when dispatch received a call regarding a man with a gun who had fired at least one shot.

Initial Call and Response

The video posted by VPD starts with audio from the 911 call. A woman informs the dispatcher that her daughter's partner is going through a mental health crisis. She mentions that he has a gun, is outside, and is threatening to harm himself. She states that he fired the gun once, but it isn't clear if he hurt himself or where he is located. The caller’s daughter can be heard in the background, showing obvious distress.

Later, the woman tells the dispatcher that she found the man lying along the side of the house. She checks if he is breathing, and he can be heard saying, “Don’t f--- with me.” The dispatcher asks if he is still armed. The caller confirms that he has the gun and that he just threatened her.

Police Involvement and Escalation

Bodycam footage shows that police involvement escalated quickly that night. Officer Sean Donaldson parks on the street and jogs to the 911 caller’s house, where several other officers are already positioned at the end of the driveway. Officer Christopher Holmquist's body cam reveals that he and another officer had arrived just seconds earlier.

The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Perry Sellars, is seen getting up and walking from the side of the house toward the front of the home's two-car garage, perpendicular to the officers. A handgun is visible in his right hand, pointed toward the ground.

Shooting and Aftermath

Officers and the 911 caller's daughter repeatedly yell for Sellars to drop the gun. He continues walking slowly and is about to clear the garage — which would put him between the officers and the 911 caller, who is standing in front of the home's front door — with the gun still pointed at the ground when Donaldson opens fire, taking several shots in rapid succession. Holmquist then fires multiple shots at Sellars as well.

Sellars immediately drops to the ground. Officers continue giving commands, though Sellars does not appear to be moving. After approaching, officers move the gun away from Sellars' hand and put the man in cuffs before cutting away his clothing to apply first aid. Sellars still does not show any signs of life.

According to previous statements from investigators, Sellars was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Official Statements and Investigation

"The Vancouver Police Department will not be commenting on the investigation or the content in the Critical Incident Video," the agency stated in a release accompanying the video. "Release of the video is to provide some visual context of the incident as the Vancouver Police Department understands the events to have occurred, according to the video and incident information."

"The Vancouver Police Department values the sanctity of human life and the dignity of all persons, and any loss of life is tragic."

The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations is responsible for the shooting investigation. Officers Donaldson and Holmquist are currently on critical incident leave.

Availability of the Video

The video of the shooting provided by Vancouver police has been posted to YouTube. It is extremely graphic, and viewer discretion is advised.