A24-21484
Officer Involved Shooting Investigation – Vancouver, Washington
Press Release 2
October 9, 2024

The Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team (LCMCT) independent investigation of the September
27, 2024, officer-involved shooting in Vancouver, Washington, is ongoing.
Investigators interviewed several residents in the area of this incident, who reported ongoing
problems with Michael Williams. Williams reportedly made numerous derogatory statements
towards neighbors regarding their ethnicities and slashed the tires of a neighbor’s vehicle.
Williams was also reported to have been armed and had fired off multiple shots prior to the arrival
of law enforcement officers.

Once law enforcement officers arrived on scene, Williams continued to fire shots and made
threatening statements. Neighbors reported that Williams appeared to be intoxicated, and a
deputy who spoke to Williams on the phone during the incident described Williams’ speech as
being slurred.

Attempts to de-escalate were unsuccessful, with Williams eventually firing multiple shots at law
enforcement officers and neighboring residences from an upstairs window and from the front door
area of his residence. An armored vehicle took multiple shots, including at least one direct hit to
the windshield from a high-caliber rifle, endangering the lives of six law enforcement officers inside
the vehicle.

The involved officer has been identified as Vancouver Police Officer Cameron McAnally, age 28.
McAnally has served with the Vancouver Police Department for 5 years and serves with the
Southwest Washington Regional SWAT Team (SW SWAT). Officer McAnally deployed to this
incident with SW SWAT as part of a sniper team.

In a statement provided to LCMCT investigators, Officer McAnally stated he observed Williams
near the rear door of his residence, armed with a rifle, as he appeared to be targeting other law
enforcement officers. Officer McAnally stated he feared Williams posed an immediate threat of
death or serious bodily injury to the officers at this time. Officer McAnally fired one shot, striking
Williams in the neck. Williams was pronounced deceased at the scene.

LCMCT investigators recovered several firearms from Williams’ residence, including a HM
Defense model HM50B.50 caliber rifle, which investigators believe was used to shoot the armored
vehicle. Investigators also confirmed that a neighboring residence had been hit by a bullet during
the incident.

No further details are available for release at this time.

Troy Brightbill
Chief Criminal Deputy / Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office
Commander / Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team