Vancouver Reporter

A recent protest ended in six arrests – only one individual was from Vancouver– and property damage in Vancouver’s Esther Short Park, following the death of Kevin Peterson in a deputy-involved shooting with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

The initial demonstration was estimated to include approximately 300 individuals, with the crowd forming over the course of 15 minutes, according to a City of Vancouver news release. The protest began at approximately 10 p.m.

“Vancouver Police were in the area of the park to ensure individuals could exercise their First Amendment rights and create a safe environment for expression of these rights,” the release states.

However, the crowd continued to grow, and by 11 p.m. there had been destruction of property and vandalism, including a report of a dumpster fire, with a second dumpster fire reported around 11:50 p.m., according to the release. 

By 12:15 a.m., the group had reached the Clark County Jail and threw rocks at law enforcement, according to the release. Law enforcement ordered the crowd to disperse, which the group complied with, though some recongregated at Esther Short Park.

At 12:25 a.m., law enforcement received a report of a protester firing shots into the air, and by 12:54 a.m. law enforcement had ordered the group at the park to disperse, according to the release.

Six individuals were arrested and charged with failure to disperse, including Daniel Ring of Vancouver, Laura Vetsch of Eugene, Oregon, Ruby Martin also of Eugene, Fahiym Acuay of Portland, Oregon, and Michael Rivera of Camas, Washington, according to the release.