LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — The Cowlitz County coroner says a man who traded gunfire with a Longview, Wash., police officer was hit by the officer’s bullets but died of a self-inflicted wound.
Coroner Tim Davidson said Thursday that 40-year-old William Lee Kelly of Vancouver died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.
Longview police have identified the officer in Tuesday night’s shootout as Nicholas Woodard, a three-year veteran. Woodard was not injured; he has been placed on administrative leave.
Cowlitz County sheriff’s Chief Criminal Deputy Charlie Rosenzweig says Woodard pursued a small pickup believed to have been involved in an armed robbery at a market. When the pickup blew a tire, a man got out and began shooting at the officer, hitting his patrol vehicle. Woodard returned fire. Kelly was later found dead in bushes about 100 yards from the pickup.
