Teens arrested in Vancouver park, police find 2 handguns

VANCOUVER, Wash. (KPTV) – The Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) arrested two teenagers at Orchards Community Park on Monday.

Police responded after a 911 call came in reporting two teenagers were seen in the park, unloading bandanas and two handguns from a backpack.

When police arrived, witnesses said they heard a gunshot in the park, in the area where the teenagers had been.

After a short chase through the woods and with the help of a K-9, the two suspects were taken into custody.

Police found two loaded guns on the ground nearby. Both teenagers, a boy and a girl, ages 13 and 14, were booked into Clark County Juvenile Hall for unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm and resisting arrest.

SEE ALSO:

“You know, at 13 or 14 years old, you’d like to see something like this and be scarred for the rest of your life,” said Sgt. Chris Skidmore, Public Information Officer at CCSO.

Skidmore told FOX 12 the incident is not confirmed to be gang-related and the suspects’ motives are still unknown.

He also said that the two guns were both securely locked. But somehow, teenagers were still able to access them.

To prevent incidents like this, Skidmore encourages parents to make sure they know who is involved in their child’s life.

“Know who your child’s friends are, know who they hang out with,” Skidmore said.

FOX 12 has also reached out to Clark County Juvenile Hall about this incident. She responded in a statement and said her main focus was to support behavioral change through accountability.

“Clark County Juvenile Court is committed to responding to all juvenile delinquency in a manner that maximizes opportunities for youth and their families to acquire the necessary skills and support necessary for their success,” said Juvenile Court Administrator Christine Simonsmeier Clark County, in a statement. . “We work with young people to acknowledge the harm done to victims and our community, and we greatly value working with our community partners.”

SEE ALSO:

Local youth organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Washington said it’s heartbreaking to hear about stories like this.

“The sense of safety, which is really essential for us to be able to feel a sense of belonging and feel like we’re a part of something,” said Francisco Bueno, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Washington. “Any time there is violence in the community, it has an impact. “

Bueno said Boys & Girls Club locations are strategically placed in locations where there aren’t already many resources for children or families. This allows the club to help children in need by providing them with a community and affordable access to a wide variety of activities.

FOX 12 also spoke with Damien Wheeler with the Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Washington. Wheeler, who grew up in Section 8 housing, is the club’s outreach program manager, who specializes in working with children involved in gang violence. He said giving kids access to a range of activities and immersing them in a supportive community can help keep them out of trouble.

“Free time is kind of a danger zone … but having more structure is the support they need,” Wheeler said.

For more information on the Boys and Girls Club, click here.

Copyright 2024 KPTV-KPDX. All rights reserved.