Inset: Richard “Cole” Vanderhoek (KATU). Background: The home in the 3200 block of NE Petticoat Lane in Vancouver, Wash., where Vanderhoek fatally shot a man with a bow and arrow (KOIN).
A Washington jury found a man guilty of second-degree murder after prosecutors said he pursued an acquaintance and killed him with a bow and arrow during an early-morning confrontation.
Richard “Cole” Vanderhoek, 49, was convicted in the death of 42-year-old David Collins in Vancouver, according to court records.
An arrest affidavit obtained by The Oregonian says Vanderhoek called 911 at about 6:45 a.m. on April 2, 2024, claiming he had been assaulted.
Deputies found Collins dead outside a home in the 3200 block of NE Petticoat Lane, an arrow lodged in his chest. Vanderhoek reportedly told investigators, “I told him to stop assaulting me,” referring to Collins. Officers observed several scrapes on Vanderhoek’s face and elbow, and he repeatedly asked them to photograph the injuries.
A neighbor told deputies that an argument between the men had continued until it became physical. Collins attempted to leave, but Vanderhoek allegedly drove toward him “aggressively.” The neighbor then heard a “thump” and saw Collins lying on the ground with an arrow in his chest.
“The defendant essentially hunted down this victim, driving aggressively, revving his engine, after the victim had dissipated,” prosecuting attorney Luka Vitasovic said during Vanderhoek’s first court appearance, according to local ABC affiliate KATU.
Vanderhoek maintained that he acted in self-defense, telling deputies, “I didn’t know what to do.”
Prosecutors argued that self-defense was not justified because Vanderhoek fired the arrow at Collins while a fence stood between them.
Vanderhoek was arrested the same day and booked into the Clark County Jail, where he has remained ever since.
His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 30.
Sabrina Meyer, Collins’ sister, told the Spokesman-Review that her brother had been taken from the family.
“I actually have a voicemail that my daughter was able to save from her birthday last year where he’s singing in this high-pitched, atrocious, atrocious voice. But it’s so beautiful,” Meyer told the newspaper. She said Collins “would just make you giggle” and always called to check on the family. “He never forgot anything … He was our big brother.”
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