City Cleared After Vancouver Police Shot Nikkolas Lookabill

City Cleared in Fatal Police Shooting
Courthouse News
By NICK MCCANN
August 6, 2015

TACOMA, Wash. (CN) - Vancouver, Wash., cannot be sued for its police officers shooting to death an Iraq war veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, a federal judge ruled.

Vancouver police shot Nikkolas Lookabill to death on Sept. 7, 2010 after he refused to drop a handgun. The 22-year old veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom was acting incoherently when police responded to a 3:30 a.m. call from people who were disturbed by his behavior, U.S. District Judge Robert Bryan wrote in his Aug. 3 dismissal on summary judgment.

After receiving the call saying that Lookabill was "not really coherent," officers said they found him as he was "screaming obscenities, was very agitated, and not compliant."

Lookabill told the officers to take the gun from him after ordered him to lie on the ground, Bryan wrote in his summary.

"I'm going to countdown from 30 and then if you don't come take the gun from me, I'm going to start smashing my head into the sidewalk," Lookabill told police, according to witness testimony.

The officers and witnesses said Lookabill repeatedly reached toward his waistband, and the officers shot him 13 times. He died at the scene.

Lookabill's stepfather Frank Wescom Jr. and half-brother Gage Wescom sued the city and the police officers, and filed an amended complaint in August 2013.

The city and police claimed the Wescoms did not have standing to sue because, among other things, there is no authorized personal representative to pursue their claims. They claimed that a former step-parent and half-sibling do not have due process liberty interest in their relationship with an adult child or half-sibling.

Bryan dismissed most of the claims in October 2013, but preserved a claim against Vancouver under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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Original post

22 year old National Guard Soldier, back from Iraq, killed by Vancouver police It never gets easier to post stories like this. An Iraq veteran is dead at the age of 22. He survived Iraq but couldn't survive back home. Just doesn't make much sense. I'm sure the police officers are having a hard time with his too.

Man killed by Vancouver police was Iraq vet
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Sep 9, 2010 5:41:45 EDT

VANCOUVER, Wash. — A 22-year-old man fatally shot by Vancouver police was an Oregon Army National Guard soldier who served 12 months in Iraq, a National Guard spokesman confirms.

Spc. Nikkolas W. Lookabill deployed in May 2009 as a member of the 41st Infantry Brigade after joining the guard in 2008, Guard spokesman Capt. Stephen Bomar said. Lookabill returned in May.

Guard officials confirmed Lookabill's military status Wednesday after the man was identified by Vancouver police.

Police said three officers fired at the Vancouver man early Tuesday morning after they responded to a report of a man walking in a neighborhood, armed with a handgun. Police spokeswoman Kim Kapp said the man was "engaging in threatening activity" and refusing police commands to drop the gun when he was shot.

In Memory of
SPC Nikkolas Wren Kenneth Lookabill
February 29, 1988 - September 7, 2010
Obituary

SPC Nikkolas Wren Kenneth Lookabill of Vancouver WA, was killed on September 7, 2010 at the young age of 22 years. He was a native of Vancouver, born on February 29, 1988. He was a good man, caring and devoted to every life he touched. Nikkolas was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend and American soldier. He is survived by his mother, Denise R. Wescom; his dad and step-mom: Frank(Butch) L. Wescom Jr. and Wendi L. Wescom; his brothers: Gage, Dyllon, and Eli; and his sisters Talia and Lacey, all of Vancouver WA. He is also survived by loving grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and comrades. His family and friends meant the world to him, and it showed in so many ways.

He loved life, he loved to smile and put smiles on all of the faces around him. He was a novice writer, and his work was fabulous.

Nikk enlisted into the Oregon Army National Guard on October 25,2007. He was a soldier in B Troop, 1st Squadron 82nd Cavalry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He served in the National Guard until he was called to active duty for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He deployed on July 8, 2009 to Baghdad, Iraq. He served our country valiantly as a Cavalry Scout. He was recognized for exemplary service, was awarded for excellence, and received the Army Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious service to the United States of America. He was dedicated and performed his duties until April 15, 2010, when he was honorably discharged from active duty.

He was a good man, a young man, who's life ended tragically. He will be missed immensely. The family will be holding a private gathering, and express heartfelt gratitude to all of their friends for their support. There has been a donation account set up to help the family at this difficult time. Donations can be made at any US Bank into the Nikkolas W. Lookabill Donation account.