Vadim V. Sashchenko : “Fatal Police Shooting: Officer Fires Four Shots Near Vancouver Waterfront”

Footage of the tragic June 8 police shooting near the Vancouver waterfront has been released, shedding light on the events that led to the fatal incident. The video shows a man pointing what appears to be a gun at an officer before shots were fired.

The Vancouver Police Department unveiled the footage on Friday, captured by in-car cameras and body cameras worn by Officers Brandon Riedel and Stuart Drynan. The officers’ identities were disclosed earlier that day.

During the altercation, Riedel fatally shot 43-year-old Vadim V. Sashchenko while responding to a call regarding an aggressive dog. Drynan, although present, did not discharge his firearm. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into the shooting as part of the Southwest Washington Independent Investigation Team.

The incident unfolded around 1:45 p.m. in the 100 block of Southeast Columbia Way, just east of the Interstate 5 Bridge. A report had been made about a man allowing his German shepherd dog to roam freely, with the dog having previously bitten someone. The caller also mentioned that the man appeared to be armed.

The video compilation released on Friday captures the moment Riedel and Drynan approached Sashchenko, who was accompanied by his dog. The officers’ vehicles closed in on Sashchenko around 3 p.m. in the 300 block of Columbia Street, with Riedel approaching from the north and Drynan from the south.

As depicted in the video, Riedel reported Sashchenko’s offensive gestures over the police radio, following which Sashchenko brandished what appeared to be a firearm and aimed it at Riedel while the officer remained in his patrol vehicle.

Subsequently, Riedel exited his vehicle and discharged four rounds at Sashchenko. The apparent weapon fell from Sashchenko’s hand after the initial shot, and he collapsed to the ground. Additional officers were summoned to the scene, along with a less-lethal 40 mm device.

Upon arrival, officers encountered Sashchenko’s dog, which exhibited aggression towards them. To ensure the safety of all involved, an officer used a less-lethal round on the dog, allowing them to provide medical assistance to Sashchenko. The dog was later secured by officers.

As the officers tended to Sashchenko’s wounds, Riedel can be heard questioning, “Why’d you have to point that gun at me, man? Come on.” The video also captures officers instructing a bystander to maintain a safe distance. The Vancouver Police Department confirmed that certain portions of the audio were muted due to the bystander’s use of profanity towards the officers.

Tragically, Sashchenko was pronounced dead at the scene, with the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office determining that he succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.

“The Vancouver Police Department upholds the sanctity of human life and the dignity of all individuals, recognizing any loss of life as a tragedy,” stated the department in conjunction with the video release.

Furthermore, dispatch was alerted to an individual seeking medical attention for dog bite injuries. The dog was subsequently transferred to the Humane Society for Southwest Washington.

Background of the officers

Records from Columbian archives reveal that Riedel has been involved in at least two prior fatal police shootings: the 2020 incident involving Andrew A. Williams, 41, and the 2023 episode with Joshua James Wilson, 43.

Riedel was one of the officers who discharged their weapons at Williams during a response to a domestic violence stabbing at the Parc Central Apartments in Vancouver’s Rose Village neighborhood. He was also part of the team that fired shots at Wilson after the latter pointed a firearm at them during a pursuit through a central Vancouver shopping center parking lot, an event captured by body cameras.

Riedel joined the police department in July 2018 and is currently assigned to patrol duties, in addition to being a member of the Southwest Washington Regional SWAT team. Drynan, who has been with the department since January 2023, is also assigned to patrol, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office.