Suspected shoplifter shot by witness in lot of east Vancouver store

Vancouver police are continuing to investigate a shooting Friday evening in the parking lot of a shopping center in which a man shot a suspected shoplifter.

The shooting occurred at 5:30 p.m. at 18801 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., according to emergency dispatch records. Police were called to a report of a disturbance with weapons and a report of a man suffering from a gunshot wound.

Police en route to the scene had been informed that a 911 caller reported they shot someone, according to a Vancouver Police Department news release.

The initial investigation found that Aaron Dreyer, 49, was in the parking lot of the Lowe’s Home Improvement store getting ready to leave when he spotted a man, later identified as 22-year-old Kenneth Nigg, running out of the store’s east emergency exit.

Dreyer told police Nigg was carrying merchandise, heading toward a waiting vehicle with a woman in the driver’s seat.

“Dreyer drove closer to the vehicle Nigg was associated with, in an attempt to get license plate information. Nigg approached Dreyer’s vehicle and began attacking it with an ax handle, breaking out windows,” police said.

Dreyer exited the vehicle; Nigg moved toward him armed with the ax handle. Dreyer pulled out a firearm and fired at Nigg, striking him. The news release does not say how many times Dreyer fired his weapon or how many times Nigg was struck.

Police say Dreyer called 911 and “rendered aid” on Nigg until officers arrived.

Nigg was taken to a hospital, where he remained as of Monday.