Bail $1 million for man accused in east Vancouver apartment shooting
May 20-A judge Wednesday set bail at $1 million for a Vancouver man accused of shooting his friend in what police say was an unprovoked attack.
Emmaus Larun Damalis Coman, 40, appeared via Zoom in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of first-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault in connection with the Tuesday night shooting at the Fishers Mill Apartments in east Vancouver.
Coman's only prior criminal history was a pair of driving under the influence convictions in Wyoming in 2020 and 2015, according to court officials. Speaking on Coman's behalf, public defense attorney Dylan Guess requested bail be set closer to $10,000.
"This is not indicative of any behavior we've seen from this individual throughout his life," Guess said.
Judge Derek Vanderwood said Coman poses a credible threat to public safety and granted the prosecution's bail request. He ordered Coman have no contact with the victim, Harold Castilow, and surrender all firearms.
According to court records, Coman owns a Ruger .38-caliber revolver, which investigators said they believe was used in the shooting.
Coman is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday morning. Vanderwood requested Coman provide financial information that confirms he's eligible for a public defense attorney ahead of arraignment.
Vancouver police officers were dispatched at 11:14 p.m. to the apartment complex, 1000 S.E. 160th Ave., after a 911 caller reported hearing gunshots in the area, according to court records.
Two witnesses told officers they heard gunshots and saw a man, later identified by police as Coman, on top of another man, Castilow, holding him by his chest or neck. Castilow yelled for help and said Coman shot him, prompting the witnesses to leave the scene in fear for their own safety, court records state.
Officers found Castilow lying near the passenger's side of a white Nissan sedan with gunshot wounds to the side of his face and right leg. He was alert and answering officers' questions. Castilow told officers he's a friend of Coman's and had no idea why Coman shot him, according to court records.
Officers found Coman sitting on a curb near the vehicle with blood on his hands and a black snub-nosed revolver near his left ankle, court records state.
When an officer asked Coman if he was with Castilow at the time of the shooting, the officer said Coman calmly looked at him and said, "I did this," according to court records.
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