An 18-year-old man was fatally shot at Hockinson Meadows Community Park early Saturday, August 15, 2026, prompting a homicide investigation and the arrest of another 18-year-old, authorities said.
Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the park at 10910 NE 172nd Ave. shortly after 1 a.m. following a report of an 18-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Emergency medical personnel pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Investigators said a large gathering of young people, mostly teenagers, was taking place at the park when the shooting occurred. Several vehicles were reportedly leaving the area as deputies, Vancouver Police Department officers and emergency medical personnel arrived.
According to investigators, witnesses reported that a handgun discharged while it was in the possession of 18-year-old James Gill, who was described as an acquaintance of the victim. Deputies recovered a Glock 17 at the scene. Gill was arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail on a charge of second-degree manslaughter.
Authorities have not yet publicly released the identity of the teenager who died. The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to formally determine the cause and manner of death. Investigators have also not disclosed what led to the firearm being discharged or provided a complete account of what happened immediately before the shooting.
The shooting has shaken the local community, particularly because those involved were young people gathered together at a public park. As investigators continue working to establish the circumstances, officials have urged people to rely on confirmed information rather than speculation.
The case remains an active investigation, and the sheriff’s office has said additional information will be released when it becomes available.
For the family of the teenager who died, the investigation comes alongside the devastating loss of a young life. Friends and members of the community have begun expressing condolences while awaiting further information about the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
