Clark County prosecutors to review fatal Yacolt roommate shooting

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has forwarded its investigation into a June 13 fatal shooting between roommates at a home near Yacolt to prosecutors to review.

Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Anna Klein said Friday prosecutors have not yet reviewed the case to decide whether they will charge the homeowner, who is also the apparent shooter. The sheriff’s office previously said the man was cooperating with law enforcement.

The man who was killed was identified last week as 42-year-old Matthew Hansen. The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office determined he died of multiple gunshot wounds. His death was ruled a homicide, meaning it resulted from another person’s deliberate action. The ruling does not make any judgments about criminal culpability.

Investigators are waiting on forensic reports from the Washington State Crime Lab, the sheriff’s office said.

The homeowner called 911 shortly after 7 p.m. to report he had shot Hansen at 33510 N.E. Kelly Road. He told a dispatcher Hansen had pulled a gun on him. He said he drew his pistol in response and started shooting, emptying the magazine, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in Clark County Superior Court.

The man further said Hansen had fired at him, but he was unsure who had fired first. He also told the dispatcher that Hansen was schizophrenic, refused to take his medication and had been violent toward others before, the affidavit states.

Deputies who arrived on the scene detained the homeowner without incident.