Vancouver man killed by police a war vet

VANCOUVER, Wash. — The Oregon Army National Guard confirmed Wednesday that a 22-year-old Vancouver man killed by police Tuesday had returned earlier this year from a 12-month deployment in Iraq.

Nikkolas W. Lookabill was a specialist with the Oregon Army National Guard. He deployed to Iraq for 12 months in May 2009 with the 41st infantry brigade combat team, headquartered in Tigard, Ore., said Capt. Stephen Bomar, spokesman for the National Guard.

In August, Lookabill attended a reintegration drill with the National Guard. The event highlighted benefits and programs available for returning veterans. Lookabill joined the Guard in 2008.

Guard officials confirmed Lookabill's military status Wednesday afternoon after he was identified by the Vancouver Police Department.

Vancouver police also released the names of the three officers who shot and killed Lookabill, who was described as armed and threatening, early Tuesday.

The officers involved were Sgt. John Schultz, 41, and Officers Frank Gomez, 32, and Gerardo Gutierrez, 38.

The news release included no new details of the showdown.

Police were dispatched to reports of a disturbance at 3:35 a.m. Tuesday. A man was reportedly walking in the neighborhood, armed with a handgun.

When police arrived, they said, they told the man, Lookabill, to drop his weapon. He refused. The officers then fired on the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Nearby residents say they heard between six and 14 shots fired.

The three officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.