Battle Ground Man’s Case: Latest News & Updates | Clark County

A Battle Ground, Washington man, Brian Kangas, 34, appeared in Clark County Superior Court Tuesday following his arrest in connection with the death of Gary R. Bender, 73, of Brush Prairie. Kangas is currently held without bail, according to reporting from The Columbian.

The incident began Monday, April 27, when the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting gunshots in the 19700 block of NE Davis Road around 11:13 a.m. Deputies found Bender deceased inside his home with apparent gunshot wounds to the chest, as detailed in a CCSO press release and reporting from KGW.

Witnesses told CCSO that Kangas and Bender were alone in the residence prior to the shooting. After the shooting, Kangas was reportedly seen leaving the area on a bicycle. Deputies located and arrested Kangas near the intersection of NE 182nd Avenue and Risto Road at approximately 11:42 a.m. He was found to be in possession of a handgun, which was seized as evidence, according to CCSO.

Details from Court Records

Court records, as reported by The Columbian, indicate that Bender’s wife ran to a neighboring residence after the shooting, stating she believed someone had been shot. She told the neighbor that a man had come to their home, and after she went to another residence on the property, she heard gunshots.

Another neighbor reported seeing a man matching Kangas’s description leaving on a bicycle and provided a description to authorities. Deputies found Bender seated in a recliner in a guest house on the property, with his shirt soaked in blood. Two spent cartridge casings were found nearby.

Upon his arrest, deputies discovered Kangas had a Ruger LCP .380 ACP semiautomatic pistol with one cartridge chambered and two in the magazine. The firearm was taken into evidence. A CCSO sergeant noted Kangas has a history of mental illness based on previous patrol calls, according to The Columbian.

Initial Court Appearance and Investigation

Kangas initially appeared in Clark County Superior Court on Tuesday, April 28, on an allegation of second-degree murder. However, the hearing was continued to Thursday, April 30. He remains in custody without bail. The Clark County Major Crimes Unit is continuing its investigation into the incident.

Bender’s wife told detectives that the couple was renovating their main residence. Bender was working in the kitchen while she was in another part of the house when she heard him speaking with a man who sounded out of breath, The Columbian reported.

The Bender family has requested privacy as they grieve their loss, according to a statement provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.