Vancouver woman says pistol-whipping caused her injuries

A Vancouver woman was allegedly pistol-whipped by her ex-boyfriend at his Longview home early Monday morning.

Erin Cochran, 32, was sleeping on the couch at the home of her ex-boyfriend, Brent Luyster, who lives in Longview, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office. She awakened at about 3 a.m. when Luyster allegedly hit her in the head and face with a pistol.

Luyster and Cochran have a child together but do not live together.

The sheriff’s office said Cochran was grabbed by her hair and dragged down a hall, though was eventually able to call 911 to report an assault. She did not know the address, but dispatchers were able to use GPS to locate Cochran and send deputies.

When deputies arrived, they heard gunshots in the woods near Luyster’s house and believed he was shooting at them, the sheriff’s office said. No deputies were injured.

Deputies eventually talked Luyster into surrendering and found a semi-automatic rifle, a shotgun and a pistol in the woods where Luyster had been, according to the sheriff’s office.

They arrested Luyster on suspicion of second-degree assault, nine counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and reckless endangerment. He was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail.

Cochran, who was reportedly bleeding from the head, was taken to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center where she was treated and released.