VANCOUVER, Washington (KPTV) – The Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) arrested two teenagers at Orchards Community Park on Monday.
Police responded to a 911 call reporting that two teenagers were seen in the park unloading bandanas and two handguns from a backpack.
When police arrived, witnesses said they heard a gunshot in the park, in the area where the teenagers had been.
After a short chase through the forest and with the help of a sniffer dog, the two suspects were arrested.
Police found two loaded guns on the ground nearby. Both teens, a boy and a girl ages 13 and 14, were arrested at the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of illegal possession of a firearm, illegal discharge of a firearm and resisting arrest.
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“You know, when you’re 13 or 14, you don’t want to see something like that on your record or it will affect the rest of your life,” says Sergeant Chris Skidmore, CCSO spokesman.
Skidmore told FOX 12 it has not been confirmed that the incident is related to gang violence and the suspects’ motives are still unknown.
He also said that the two guns were securely locked. But somehow the teenagers still managed to get their hands on them.
To prevent incidents like this, Skidmore recommends parents make sure they know who is involved in their child’s life.
“Know who your kids’ friends are and who they hang out with,” Skidmore said.
FOX 12 also reached out to the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center about this incident. They responded with a statement and said their main goal is to support behavior change through accountability.
“Clark County Juvenile Court is committed to responding to all juvenile delinquency cases in a way that provides youth and their families with the opportunity to learn the skills and support needed to succeed,” Clark County Juvenile Court Supervisor Christine Simonsmeier said in a statement. “We work with youth to acknowledge the harm done to victims and our community, and place a high value on working with our community partners.”
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Local youth organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Washington said it is heartbreaking to hear stories like this.
“The feeling of safety is critical for us to feel like we belong and feel like we’re part of something,” said Francisco Bueno, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Washington. “Any time there’s violence in the community, it has an impact on that.”
Bueno said the Boys and Girls Club locations are strategically located in places that don’t already have many resources for children or families, allowing the club to help children in need by providing them with community and affordable access to a variety of activities.
FOX 12 also spoke with Damien Wheeler of the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Washington. Wheeler, who grew up in public housing himself, is the club’s outreach program manager and specializes in working with children involved in gang violence. He said giving children access to a range of activities and engaging them in a supportive community can help keep them out of trouble.
“Leisure time is kind of a danger zone … but more structure is the support they need,” Wheeler said.
For more information about the Boys and Girls Club, click here.
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