The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) has initiated a probe into a fatal encounter involving the Vancouver Police Department that occurred in the early hours of December 28. The incident took place in the 13200 block of Northeast 46th Street in Vancouver.
According to reports from the Vancouver Police, the situation escalated when officers responded to a call indicating that a man had allegedly pointed a gun at a woman and discharged at least one round. Upon arrival, police stated that the man approached them while holding the firearm, leading two officers to open fire, ultimately striking him.
The man was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. However, his wife disputes the police account, asserting that her husband never raised his weapon during the encounter. “When the officers arrived, he had it at his side,” she remarked, adding, “He never even raised it. I don’t know if there were any bullets in it, and they shot him six times.”
The victim’s wife, who had been married to him for nearly a decade, explained that her husband was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time, prompting her mother to contact law enforcement out of concern. She emphasized that her husband had no intention of harming anyone and expressed her belief that the officers overreacted in the situation. “My husband, Perry James Sellars, was the kindest man you will ever meet. That was him, and he’s gone now,” she lamented.
The incident has left neighbors rattled. Jeff Krauthamer, a nearby resident, recalled hearing multiple gunshots. “We were sitting in the garage, and I hear like, ‘pop, pop, pop…'” he described. Another neighbor, Allison Lofgren, recounted her shock at the sudden gunfire, stating, “I just woke up to the gunshot sounds, like a bunch back-to-back, like six.”
The OII, which was established in 2021 to independently investigate instances of police use of deadly force, is tasked with examining this case. The agency collaborates with an advisory board to review its policies and ensure thorough investigations.
While the Vancouver Police have not responded, a spokesperson for the OII indicated that they are unable to provide details at this early stage of the investigation. “We will be spending the next several weeks investigating this incident,” the spokesperson stated.
Once the inquiry is completed, the OII will produce a Final Case Report detailing the events and the investigative process. This report, along with the complete investigative file, will be submitted to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether any charges will be filed. The findings will also be made available to the public on the OII’s website.
