Police Close Streets in Vancouver, Washington, While Responding to Shooting at Apartment Building

Police said there were multiple victims after a man opened fire in the lobby of Smith Tower, an apartment complex for “affordable retirement living,” in downtown Vancouver, Washington, on Thursday, October 3.

Vancouver Police said three people were shot in the incident but were not able to confirm any deaths, or the status of the victims, at a preliminary press conference.

At the time of writing, the suspect, who police said was a resident in the building, was communicating with police via crisis communicators by phone and through the door of his residence, according to police. There were no hostages, police said.

The Columbian reported that the suspect was an 80-year-old resident of the building.

In the press conference, police said some residents sheltered in place while others were evacuated to a safer location in the building. Footage from the scene outside shows police carrying elderly individuals away from the front doors.

Police reported street closures in downtown Vancouver, and urged individuals to avoid the area while the investigation was ongoing.

This video shows police and civilian vehicles stopped on Washington Street near Smith Tower. Credit: Simeon Muller via Storyful