A Vancouver man is accused of shooting another man in the neck during a fight last month at a homeless encampment on the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail. Jeremiah S. Isezaki, 40, appeared Thursday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of first-degree assault and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. He appeared again Friday on additional allegations stemming from his arrest, including attempting to elude, possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of methamphetamine. A judge set his bail at $250,000, and he’s scheduled to be arraigned April 16, court records show. Vancouver police responded about 7 a.m. March 7 to the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail west of Andresen Road and south of East 18th Street. A man called 911 to report another man, whom he identified as 34-year-old Douglas Toese, had been shot in the neck. Police searched the area but were unable to find the shooter, according to a probable cause affidavit. Responders took Toese to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center for treatment. Officers said medical personnel told them days after the shooting the bullet was lodged in Toese’s spine, and hospital staff were likely not going to remove it. Toese was unable to breathe on his own for several days and could not move his legs, court records state.

The 911 caller told officers he was with Toese in Toese’s tent when they heard yelling outside. He said Toese grabbed a large stick and went outside. He said he could hear Toese saying “put the gun away, let’s run a fair one.” He then heard a gunshot, according to the affidavit. When the man came out of the tent, he found Toese on the ground, wounded. He said he thought he saw the shooter running away with a gun in his hand, but he said the shooter was wearing a face mask, so he couldn’t identify him, court records state. Officers also talked with Toese, who told them Isezaki shot him, and he’s known Isezaki for a long time, according to court records. He said he thought Isezaki shot him out of jealousy, but court records don’t elaborate on his rationale. Toese said he heard Isezaki outside of the tent calling for him to come out to fight. He said when he did, Isezaki shot him point-blank in the neck, court records state.

Isezaki’s criminal history showed he had previous felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing firearms, including prior unlawful firearm possession convictions, according to the affidavit. Isezaki was arrested April 1 by the U.S. Marshals Service and local law enforcement for an outstanding felony probation violation warrant. When officers searched Isezaki’s bag, they found two unspent .22 caliber bullets. He declined to speak with officers and invoked his right to an attorney, court records state.