Vancouver, Washington — On May 30, 2023, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a detective from the Vancouver Police Department Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) spotted a subject driving westbound in the 6700 block of E. Mill Plain Blvd who he recognized as a suspect who was wanted for multiple, recent robberies. The suspect was later identified as 43-year-old Joshua James Wilson, of Vancouver. Two additional NRT detectives arrived in the area and Wilson was seen parking his vehicle and entering the Safeway at Mill Plain Blvd./Andresen Rd. 

Several minutes later, he was seen exiting the store. When he saw police, he dropped a bag of items, displayed a firearm, ran westbound through the parking lot and during the attempt to apprehend him Wilson pointed a handgun at an officer before that officer and others shoot him. After Wilson fell, officers could be heard asking if anyone else was hit. In response, an officer said, “He shot towards me. I’m not — I’m good.” Three Vancouver Police Detectives and one Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy discharged their weapons, striking Wilson. Medical aid was rendered to the Wilson, however he was pronounced deceased at the scene. No law enforcement officers were physically injured.