The jail inmate shot and killed by a corrections deputy Thursday at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center was identified as John Martin, 66.
Martin, whose city of residence was not confirmed, died of a gunshot wound to the torso. His death was ruled a homicide, the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office said Friday.
Martin was in custody at the Clark County Jail but was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning and stayed overnight, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
At about 10:40 a.m. Thursday, at least one of two corrections deputies guarding Martin fired their weapon and injured him, the sheriff’s office said.
The situation, which took place in a patient room on the fifth floor of the Firstenburg Tower, was quickly brought under control. Martin was taken to surgery, but the sheriff’s office later reported that Martin had died.
The agency did not say what transpired prior to the shooting, except to say, “the inmate took action which resulted” in a deputy opening fire.
No deputies were injured, Sgt. Fred Neiman said, and no hospital staff were involved in the shooting.
The names of the deputies involved and information on whether both fired upon the inmate was not released by the sheriff’s office.
The incident is under investigation by the Regional Major Crimes Team, and investigators with the Vancouver Police Department are taking the lead.
Martin was being held on a warrant from the U.S. Marshals Service for violating his parole by escaping from community custody and for unlawful possession of a firearm.
