A Vancouver teenager pleaded not guilty Thursday to shooting an acquaintance — paralyzing him from the neck down — during an alleged drug deal.
Damian R. Grover, 17, was arraigned on charges of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon, first-degree robbery and theft of a firearm.
Clark County Superior Court Judge Barbara Johnson set trial for Dec. 20.
Grover is being held in the Clark County Jail on $750,000 bail.
The shooting was reported at 8:50 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Parklane Apartments, 10205 N.E. Notchlog Drive.
According to court documents, friends of Grover told sheriff’s investigators that they had planned to meet Daniel Thurston, 19, at Sacajawea Elementary School, 700 N.E. 112th St., to obtain marijuana. After meeting up with Thurston, Grover arranged to meet him later at his apartment complex, the Parklane Apartments, to pay him for the drugs.
When Thurston arrived at the apartment complex, Grover allegedly brandished a revolver and ordered Thurston to hand over his backpack and marijuana. After Thurston refused, Grover allegedly fired the gun at him and fled, according to court documents.
The shot hit Thurston’s spine. He spent several days listed in critical condition in the hospital, and a doctor said he will likely be a quadriplegic. He is now out of the hospital and recovering with ongoing medical care, a deputy prosecutor has said.
Another friend of Grover’s allegedly told investigators that the group had planned on robbing Thurston of the marijuana and that Grover obtained a .44- or .45-caliber handgun from a family friend to commit the holdup, which prompted the theft of a firearm charge.
Grover, who at one point attended Columbia River High School, as did Thurston, was listed as unemployed in court documents.
