Officer-involved: Teen died of gunshots to back, autopsy shows
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - Autopsy results show a 16-year-old home invasion suspect killed by a Vancouver officer was shot in the back.
The Clark County medical examiner's office said Monday that Douglas E. Combs of Vancouver died of the gunshot wounds.
He was called a suspect in a home invasion shooting Friday that sent a man to the hospital with serious injuries, and he was also suspected in two armed robberies the same day.
Almost 23 hours after the crimes started, police confronted Combs and another 16-year-old from Vancouver as they left a concert. Police said the boys took off and that Combs reached for a gun.
The other 16-year-old appeared in court Monday. He faces a weapons charge and was held without bail until his next court appearance Wednesday morning.
The boy's mother was also there and spoke but was hard to hear in court; however, she gave indications her son is where he needs to be: in custody.
"We recommend that he stay in custody," she said. "His behavior the last few weeks – he needs to be detained."
The suspect's mother would not comment after the court appearance was over.
The family of Combs sees the medical report just one way: They believe Combs was running away when he was shot.
Combs' brother, Brian, during a phone conversation didn't deny Douglas was in serious trouble and needed to be arrested. But the medical examiner’s report makes him seriously question things.
"I think this was handled extremely poorly and that this confirms my suspicious they weren't really trying to capture him," Brian Combs said. "They handled this extremely bad, and it sounds like they shot him in the back as he was trying to run."
The Vancouver Police Department did not returned calls or emails requesting comment on the autopsy report.
But in a news release issued Monday evening, Vancouver Police Department spokeswoman Kim Kapp said it is still too early in the investigation to draw any conclusions about the shooting.
"In response to information released by the Clark County Medical Examiner, the City reminds the public that this matter remains an active investigation that has only just begun," Kapp wrote. "Until the full investigation is completed it is premature to draw any conclusions as to what occurred from the release of a single, isolated piece of information. The City will not respond to further media inquiries regarding this matter until after the criminal investigation has been completed and the Prosecuting Attorney has reviewed the case and issued a decision."
Kapp also said the officer involved in the shooting, 44-year-old Cpl. Marshall Henderson, has been placed on administrative leave. He's been with the Vancouver Police Department for 15 years.
It's quite interesting that most of the responses to this article imply a benefit of doubt to what the 16 year old was doing or about to do, yet have already cast judgement on an officer who shot someone believed to be armed, believed to have been the one who shot someone earlier in the evening, and believed to have robbed someone earlier in the evening. Better to be judged by 12, or in this case by dozens, than carried by 6. Until you have walked in the shoes of the one who was forced to take a life by making that split second decision, you have no idea what you are talking about. Your moronic opinions just continue to fuel your ignorance. Is it unfortunate that people make life choices that cause their death at the hands of others? Yes. Is it sad that a family will never know a son other than as someone who had so little regard for life and who if he had lived would have caused so much pain to so many others throughout his life? Yes. How about the effects on the life of the man who was shot in his own home by this criminal? How about the victims of this man who were robbed at gunpoint and faced the fears of maybe not seeing their loved ones again. and now must live with their haunting memories. You can't and won't make life and death decisions to protect society, but anyone who does is judged by you to have done it wrong. And you wonder why society is so screwed up. You are why.
When I read stories like these, I try to remember back to how I felt and acted at age 16. Â Here's what I came up with: Â I'm 16 and leaving a concert venue with a friend, and the police inexplicably start yelling and pointing their guns at me. Â I'm an innocent 16-year-old kid, now very frightened, so what do I do? Â I freeze, show the cops my hands and follow their instructions to the letter. Â Then I go home alive.
Wow, finally a mom who is willing to accept the fact that her son is a hoodlum and not a "good boy". I'm sure it's not easy but it's for the best.
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Who's to say Combs wasn't facing another officer and the officer who shot him was off to the side and Combs reached for his gun. Could of, should of, would of? All I know is if Brian Comb's brother wasn't out committing felonies, he would be alive today.
Only reading the headlines I was going to assume it was taken place in Clackamas County.  Lord knows how many lawsuits they have against them already.
Hopefully VPD has those cute little cameras mounted on the dashboard of their cars so this won't end up being a one-sided story. Â That being said, we don't know the details yet of how this event went down. Â But I'd bet my best friend's money the family of the deceased will eventually have their hand out for a cash settlement, justified or not. Â And since he was shot in the back (again, justified or not), they'll probably end up with $$$. Â We'll see.
@Sundowner Ha Ha! Bet your best friend's money! With friends like you..................
 @Pvpbw Ha ha twice!  My best friend is the old, long-gone from here Mesogrumpy....he's always aware when I'm betting his money!
 @Pvpbw Oh, he's still sarcastic, still witty and meets the ultimate definition of what "best friend" means.  Couldn't ask for better.
@Sundowner I always enjoyed his sarcasm and sharp whit.
 @Pvpbw He might get a bit cranky with me (it's been known to happen) if I did that.  He didn't have that moniker for nuttin'.  =))
@Sundowner in that case feel free to bet some of his money for me also ;)
This is so.....sad for this young gangster! But if you play with hell you end in hell! What does everyone think the police should do? Get shot by this young person who has a gun and has already shown he is out harming others. What would do if you were confronted with this armed gangster, young or older? I am sorry for the family of this young man, but I do not support them crying foul!! Where were they when they knew he was out of control?????????
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Getting shot in the back or "running" argument to me seems like a moot point. If you go for your gun... that's all it takes.
I do understand the websites incessant need to propogandize and sensationalize headlines in order to generate 'hits' (and therefore, revenue), but I notice that your headline excludes a few very important points.Â
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The 'teen' was wanted in connection to a felonious assault using a firearm, and two armed robberies.Â
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The 'teen' was 'shot in the back' while attempting to elude capture by law enforcement officers who believed that the 'teen' was still in possession of the firearm(s) used in the afforementioned crimes.Â
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But, alas, I'm presuming that there's an interest in facts and not simply stoking the fires of discontent. Rage on, K2 web-editor, rage on.Â
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I am curious, though... Who are YOU going to call when an armed 'teen' shows up at your house, at the mall when you and your family are shopping, or at your kids school with a gun? What will your expectations be of the responding officers at that point?
@MarkKpic Well, gee. Isn't that a lot of information to expect them to put in a headline? It is, actually, included in the story, should you care to read for another 30 seconds. Oh. And it is "whom" are you going to call, not "who."
You run, you will only die tired. Case in point.
Why do they get into trouble in the first place?? no supervision at home??
Liberals say "it's police brutality! Â Poor kid."
Normals say "Home invasion and 2 robberies in 1 day?!? Â Um, Poor society."
@archon312 Nope. We liberals say, "Where did he get the effing gun?" And the NRA can't answer.
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 @Fed up Fed  @archon312 When you go for your gun while in a confrontation with armed police officers who are putting there life at risk to protect us the people... 5th Amendment applies how?
Why is it just with this story that KATU is reporting where the suspect was shot? What about another recent police shooting where the police shot a suspect twice through the heart and lungs and once through his eye socket and out the side of his head through his ear? KATU why don't you report those details? If it's not worth reporting in other incidences, then it's not worth reporting here. This kid was a fleeing felon who was an immediate threat to police and the public. How or where he was shot is inconsequential in this incident. QUIT BEING SO SYMPATHETIC TO THE BAD GUYS and QUIT PAINTING THE POLICE AS MURDERERS OF INNOCENT CHILDREN!!!
@acepixure They did that in the headline. Like "gunshots to the back." Duh.
Yeah, I guess he could have been "running away", OR he could have been turning to fire a weapon at the police. Â Coulda-woulda-shoulda...Â
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 @Fed up Fed "Sadly", it's more "plausible" to "me" that this "effed-up" "kid" would "turn" to "fight".Â
 @Fed up Fed From the original story: "At least two officers, I noticed were giving orders to someone, then four other shots were fired," he said. "The other [suspect] was on the left hand side of the building. He threw down his gun and [they] took him away."
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Both of these guys were armed and having your own weapon lends you a certain amount of courage and teenage boys are well-known for their stupidity, arrogance, and impulsiveness, so that's what I'm going with. Â You are certainly entitled to your own opinion.
Truth is, there are situations when police are perfectly justified in shooting someone in the back. Police officers, just like the rest of us, may use deadly force to defend others. So if a known armed/dangerous subject is carrying a weapon and running toward other possible victims (like kids in a school yard, concert venue, etc.), the police may shoot that person in the back to stop him. Obviously the police knew they were dealing with a person suspected in two armed robberies and a violent home-invasion robbery where someone was shot. Apparently they also saw him reaching for a gun, and this suspect HAD a gun on him when he died. Sounds like a justified shooting to me.
What a courageous mom to step up and say that her son deserved to be in jail!Â
Seriously - Mr. Combs and family need to look at the situation. If someone pulls a gun on a police officer, that's a deadly weapon, and deadly force will be used against them.Â
Hey Dougie great facebook picture,I can only assume that you think that the Vancouver police are #1. This will turn out it was a good shoot this punk got what he deserved.
 @Ghetto Baby Link please..
http://www.facebook.com/doug.combs.376?fref=ts
 @tptpttp Wow. Lol....
Where was his concerned brother for the last couple years? Or are we to believe that this kid was a Boy Scout, honor student, and all around clean-cut teenager until last Friday?
You live by the gun, you can die by the gun. The 'kid' shot one person and was involved in 2 armed robberies, and in all 3 cases someone innocent could have died. Good job to the officer for removing someone from the gene pool that obviously didn't need to be procreating or contributing to the decline of society.
Shame On You KATU for giving the ending of this tragic event a headline to make this appear as if the deputy did wrong.  This "suspect" that was shot, had already shot at least one innocent individual... leaving him for dead. I can only imagine what the headline would be if the deputy didn't respond the way he did and this individual was left on the streets to possibly shoot another innocent  victim. What would the headline be then?  KATU... You should be deeply ashamed for giving this story a mis- represented headline just to get a readers attention! What a bunch of armatures... A true journalist would never pull a shady stunt like that.  Get readers for content of your story... not mis representing headlines.
@PB22 Oh KATU is good at always casting doubt on what the police do even when they get it right, like in this case.   They seem to think its like that game we play as kids red light green light. SO i pull a gun on you and you pull one on me. I turn my back to you. OK red light you cant shoot me now right?  Its a bunch of crap and yes KATU we know who your offenders are.
"The Vancouver Police Department did not returned [sic] calls or emails..."
"The City will not respond to further media inquiries..."
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Something smells to high heaven here.
The government always reserves the right to their monopoly on violence.
Mandatory sensitivity training for the officer(s) involved. Case closed.
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@Mipsfer Yes, and maybe they can all hold hands with the violent punks and sing Kum-ba-yah with them, I'm sure that will work.  This kid was violent, out of control and had already proven he would pull the trigger against an unarmed innocent victim. I think the officer's sensitivies were in the right place, with the victims. YOU on the other hand can reserve your beliefs when you are the victim of one of these punks.
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@Fed up Fed @Mipsfer Yes, there is a witness who was shot. And had he been at home studying, he would still be alive to PROVE or DISPROVE his innocense. We will never know now, will we? And do you place HIS civil rights above everyone else's? Where are the civil rights protections for the innocent victims of his alleged crimes? Â
How about a mandatory high school education for you. IF you cant piece together this one you might want to start there.Â
And yet i still say good job Vancouver PD for getting rid of another violent felon. I could care less what the scumbags faminly thinks or feels at this point. Your 16 year old son was a VIOLENT FELON great job raising this POS he lived by the gun he died by the gun. No tears shed no sleep lost. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
http://www.facebook.com/doug.combs.376?fref=ts
@Bruce Gee, you think his momma is proud? He apparently didn't care what anyone thought, nor did he give a rip about the person he shot. It was all about him and what he wanted and felt entitled to. Too bad the victim was not armed, but thank goodness the officer took care of the problem.
Thank you! This little POS deserved what came to him.Â
So is it just bad reporting or was a "gun" ever found and tied to that child that was killed?Â
 @Icarus who knows.
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I couldnt help but notice, isnt it always with every case of violent crimes or police shootings, the relatives always say that they were good people who they thought would have never done such a thing?
 @commonsense33 When did they say that?
 @TreeWizard Im currently watching the news on tv
@Fed up Fed @commonsense33 @TreeWizard He was 16, he was just getting started.
HIt it on the head. Also just becaue your back is turned that does not make you any less threat to the officer or and lets not forget the numerous others around you, like in that club.   Its funny the libs hate people with guns until they are engaged by a police officer then they become a martyr. Cant have it both ways.
This nice kid had just shot a home owner twice, and robbed two stores.  According to the young lady that had her love one shot twice, this kid cannot be called nice. I don't care about what his brother saying, I know it hurt though.  What if my love one did this, I would still say he, she derseved it, and I hurt too.
Will you learn to spell five. i'll give you a hint, it is not fve. lol
 @Mechanic  @TreeWizard LOL, okay you want to play that game.
@TreeWizard Hey! Wiz! (Or is it "whiz?") Will you learn the difference between "your" and "you're?" Pretty please. Or do you just LOVE to flaunt your ignorance?
 @commonsense33  @jousting1 not*
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 @commonsense33  @jousting1 Probably should take the job if your not ready to shoot someone. Just sayin.
 @TreeWizard  @jousting1 I remember reading a lot about police shootings during the 70s and 80s, it had to do with people getting shot in the back and creating internal investigations over it. Due to the fact that people were not deemed a threat if their back was turned and due to the media making it seem like they were executed. Thats why investigators started going off of the totality of circumstances, sometimes the police officer was pulling the trigger and the suspect turned (mind you this is all happening in split seconds). Then when the bullets went through the suspects back. Sure it doesnt look good, it never does. It just matters the most what the suspect did to cause the officer to fire. I think some people fail to realize that cops are people too with families and this cop, knowing his age probably has kids too. Can you imagine being a parent and just taken the life of a teen who might be the same age as your teen?Â
 @commonsense33  @jousting1 Ya that's why I said he had it coming; however, shooting someone in the back just seems wrong.
 @TreeWizard  @jousting1 I guess you can call someone a coward for shooting another in the back, but if you see a gun in someones hand, its too late. They have the drop on you. For all we know the cop could have seen the this "kid" reaching and grab onto it in his waistband. We dont know, the whole story isnt out. I am just generally saying that I dont have much sympathy for someone who breaks into someones house and shoots a guy 3 times, then goes on to rob a couple of stores. I dont care how old he is.
 @jousting1  @Fed  @commonsense33  @TreeWizard Fed will disagree with me, but it sounded like he had it coming, and the cop was a coward. shooting a man in the back is like kicking him in his wang dang doodle.
@Fed up Fed @commonsense33 @TreeWizard Robbing people and shooting someone is not doing something stupid. Perhaps if he had said, I had no idea my brother had absolutely no sense of the value of a human life, that would have been more believable.
 @TreeWizard  @Fed up Fed Well I mean you always love your family members in some way. However if you have a dirtbag brother or sister, mother or father or what have you, you know it. I think if I were in that situation where the news was interviewing me, knowing the relatives criminal history, Id just say I knew it would happen eventually due to their behavior.
 @commonsense33  @Fed up Fed I see your point I do. I know people like that I feel the same way, they are a POS. Imagine though if that was your brother, do you think you, would insult him on national TV? If it was my Brother I'd probably react the same as him.
 @Fed up Fed  @TreeWizard I was watching KPTV 12 currently while they were interviewing the brother in person. I just found it interesting that in every case of mass murder or murder or violent crime or police shootings. Relatives or friends always say that they were good people who they thought would have never done anything like what they were accused of.
 @TreeWizard I was just simply pointing out that while the news crew was interviewing the brother of this kid, he says how he was a good kid and he never thought he would do something like this (good grades yada yada yada). Then you look at other cases, the FBI tree bombing case, the relatives and friends said how he was a good kid and never thought he would do something like that. Of course there are numerous other cases, but its always the same speal. I think it goes to show you that, people dont know people as well as they think they do.
 @commonsense33 Ahhh okay.