Vancouver police forced their way into a house party of roughly 30 people on SE 155th Avenue after getting a report that a man was waving a pistol around the gathering. By the time officers got inside, they say the suspect had already pointed the gun at two people during an argument and struck a third in the head and stomach with the weapon.
Officers were called out to the disturbance after receiving a report that a man was waving a pistol at the party, according to 1027kord.com. Police say the suspect pointed the pistol at two people amid an argument and then struck a third person in the head and stomach with the gun. The home, on SE 155th Avenue, was packed with about 30 partygoers when the situation escalated.
What turned a routine disturbance call into something more urgent, per the same report, was that several people at the gathering were being prevented from leaving the home. Once officers realized guests were being held back, they made what's known as an exigent entry — forcing their way inside without waiting on further process — to get everyone out safely.
No Injuries Reported Despite the Assault Allegations
Despite the alleged pistol-whipping and the gun being pointed at two guests, police say no one at the home was injured at the party. Officers went on to serve a search warrant at the property, and the station's report states they recovered two handguns and an AR-style rifle in the process.
Suspect Booked on Multiple Assault Counts
Gilberto Cruz-Castro was arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail in connection with the incident. The KORD report lists assault in the first degree and two counts of assault in the second degree against him.
Under Washington law, a person is guilty of assault in the first degree if, with intent to inflict great bodily harm, they assault another person with a firearm, according to RCW 9A.36.011. Assault in the second degree, meanwhile, is classified as a class B felony under RCW 9A.36.021, except in certain circumstances outlined in the statute. Those are descriptions of the statutory language rather than a determination about how Cruz-Castro's case will ultimately be charged or resolved.
