The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deputy involved in a shooting that injured a man following a disturbance outside a Brush Prairie home Wednesday.
Deputy Chris Story, who was hired by the sheriff’s office in November 2016, remains on critical incident leave — standard protocol in an officer-involved shooting.
Story was assigned as a day-shift patrol deputy in the Orchards and Brush Prairie area, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities say Story shot 35-year-old James Matthew Kelly after Kelly attacked the deputy as he responded to a report of a disturbance shortly before 2 p.m. at a rural home at 11518 N.E. 126th Ave.
Kelly is receiving treatment for his injuries at an area hospital, according to the sheriff’s office. His exact condition was not released.
Deputies were summoned to the home after a man, later identified as Kelly, who doesn’t live on the property, was seen jumping on vehicles parked near the home and acting strangely, the sheriff’s office said.
When Story arrived, Kelly immediately attacked him and a struggle ensued, prompting Story to fire his weapon at Kelly, according to the sheriff’s office.
In an interview with The Columbian, people at the Brush Prairie home said that Kelly had been kicked out of the residence for drug use. One resident, Kitty Mapes, said she believes Kelly likely came back because he holds a grudge.
A man at the residence, who wished to only be identified by his first name Phil, told The Columbian that he was home when Kelly pulled up in a car Wednesday. He went outside to confront the man, whom he had never met or seen before. Phil said the visitor retaliated when he told him to leave. The man was holding a beer in hand and appeared to be mentally unsound, Phil said.
Home surveillance video posted to YouTube shows a man attacking Phil in front of the garage. The two men fall to the ground with the assailant on top punching Phil several times. Phil then stands up and walks back inside the home with a bloody face, the video shows. He called 911.
Home surveillance video released to Portland TV stations captured the subsequent fight between Story and Kelly, who stayed on the property after assaulting Phil.
The video shows the deputy approach a man lying on the hood of a car. The man turns left to look at the officer, slides off the car and then grabs and strikes him.
A struggle ensues and both men go to the ground. The suspect puts the deputy in a headlock before being flipped on his back. The deputy gains his footing and appears to draw his gun and fire.
Story received minor injuries, the sheriff’s office said.
The incident is still under investigation by the Regional Major Crimes Team.
