Shooting victim in critical condition

DAYTON–A Dayton man is listed in critical condition at a Tri-Cities hospital following a shooting incident at Shangri La RV Park west of here early Sunday morning.

Justin G. Karl, 40, of 104 Rose Gulch Road, Space A, was flown to Providence Kadlec Medical Center after sustaining gunshot wounds at approximately 1 a.m., Sunday, June 6. A hospital spokeswoman indicated Karl is in critical condition as of press deadline Tuesday.

Karl, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, was hit by pellets from a shotgun allegedly fired by Joshua Brownell Wilson, 25, who resides at space 29 at Shangri La.

Wilson was taken into custody later that day and is lodged in the Walla Walla County Jail. At a Bond and Order of Release and Finding of Probable Cause Hearing Monday, June 7, 2021, Wilson was ordered to be held on $300,000 bond and was appointed attorney Angela Garrett to represent him by Superior Court Commissioner G. Scott Marinella. Charges listed on the arrest information sheet indicate second-degree assault and tampering with physical evidence. Court records indicate the charges may be first-degree assault.

An arraignment hearing was set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 9.

According to the police report, Deputy Jeff Jenkins was dispatched to Shangri La RV Park at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, where he encountered Karl lying on the ground in front of Space A and bleeding, apparently from wounds to his chest and abdomen. Jenkins rendered first aid and Columbia County Fire District 3 ambulance was summoned. Karl was transported to Dayton General Hospital, then airlifted to Kadlec.

According to the police report, Karl received injuries to his liver, intestines and other trauma to his abdomen.

There were additional “bullet holes” in a parked car and travel trailer.

A witness stated to Sheriff Joe Helm that a “large animal” was heard attacking something in the brush next to his trailer. He contacted Wilson and the pair drove down a side road where Wilson exited the vehicle with a shot gun. The witness claimed to see “yellow eyes” and Wilson allegedly fired the weapon as the witness yelled at Wilson not to shoot due to the close proximity of trailers.

The Sheriff’s Office report indicates Wilson left the scene with the shotgun to contact his father, Gary Wilson, owner of the RV park, and to call 9-1-1. Wilson allegedly hid the shot gun then went to a friend’s trailer where he was located the following morning and taken into custody. He did not call 9-1-1, the report stated.