VANCOUVER, Wash. — The man accused of shooting a Vancouver motorcycle officer seven times made his first court appearance Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court and was ordered held on $10 million bail while he awaits charges.
James Todd Sapp is held for investigation of attempted murder, robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm in Monday’s shooting of Officer Dustin Goudschall.
The 47-year-old Sapp has been identified by the Clark County sheriff’s office as a white supremacist member of the Aryan Brotherhood with a violent criminal history, The Columbian reported.
The 32-year-old officer was in stable condition Tuesday in a hospital, police said. Goudschall was hired by the Vancouver Police Department in 2008 and previously served with the University of Arizona police.
Court records said Goudschall identified Sapp as the shooter.
Judge Scott Collier appointed attorney Matthew Hoff to defend Sapp. A message has been left at Hoff’s Vancouver office seeking comment. Arraignment is set for July 8.
His ballistic vest apparently saved his life, court records said.
After the shooting, Sapp, and a passenger, Timothy Plantenberg, allegedly drove from the scene in a pickup truck that crashed into a tree about 14 blocks away. The truck was registered to Sapp’s wife, but its plates had been stolen from a silver Jeep Cherokee, court records say.
A black handgun was found inside the truck.
After crashing into the tree, Sapp allegedly stole a pickup truck from an 88-year-old bystander and was arrested after crashing that truck.
Officers swarmed the area and arrested Plantenberg about two hour later. He said Sapp was driving when the officer stopped them. As the officer approached, Sapp pulled a gun from between his legs and fired multiple shots at the officer, according to court records. As Sapp drove away, the officer shot back at their truck.
Plantenberg said he grabbed the steering wheel to make Sapp crash, so he could get out of the vehicle, according to court records. When he left the vehicle, he said Sapp shot at him.
Sapp already has six felony convictions, The Columbian reported. Sapp told staff at the Clark County Jail in 2008 that he did not want to room with anyone of color. He also told Gresham, Ore., police in 2005 that he was an active member of the Aryan Brotherhood and kept in touch with his “brothers” behind bars.
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