SOUTH BEND - Thomas Anders Shotwell is currently being held in Pacific County Jail on a murder in the first degree charge, and with no bail for the killing of his identical twin brother, Raymond Shotwell, 26, according to Pacific County Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Haslam. After being released from the hospital, Shotwell was arraigned last week and has two attorneys. An autopsy was also performed on the victim by the Cowlitz County Medical Examiner's Office. A motive for the shooting was still unclear at press time. No bail was set because of the violent nature of the shooting.
"Arraignment was set to July 16th at the defense's request," Haslam told the Herald last Friday. "The only new development with the court case is that Mr. Needham has indicated John Henry Browne will also be representing Mr. Shotwell.
Haslam was able to answer some of the questions posed by the Herald about the autopsy and some facts about the shooting.
"It usually takes a few weeks before we receive the autopsy report," Haslam said. "The initial indications are seven entry wounds on the body, but that is not final until the autopsy report is completed. Most of the entry wounds were to the head and upper torso, I'm not willing to describe beyond that at this stage." Shotwell also sustained a gunshot wound to his hand.
"Mr. Shotwell is currently held on no bail, meaning he cannot be bailed out," Haslam told the Herald prior to press time last week. "There was a probable cause hearing held last Friday (June 18 before Judge Don Richter), but he was not present as he was unconscious and hospitalized at the time. Sheriff's deputies (were) guarding him at the hospital since he was found Thursday morning (June 17). It appears he is now conscious and he will be transported to our jail by (Monday, June 21). We (held) a preliminary appearance (last Tuesday, June 22) afternoon at 1 pm to set conditions of release."
Haslam added, "The remainder of your questions are issues that remain under investigation at this time. Please keep in mind my desire is to be as transparent as possible, but I have a limited ability to comment on a pending case, both due to the ongoing investigation, as well as my ethical responsibilities as a prosecutor."
Early Morning Shooting
The shooting on North Nemah Road happened in the early morning last June 24 at approximately 1:17 am. The Pacific County Communications Center received a 911 call from Thomas Shotwell, who identified himself and said he had "just shot his brother and that his brother was dead."
The shooting took place where Thomas Shotwell lived with his mother. Raymond Shotwell resided with his father in a nearby home.
Several law enforcement personnel responded to the scene and upon arrival discovered a deceased adult male subject inside the residence. A .40 caliber handgun was recovered at the scene and is believed to be the weapon used to shoot Raymond Shotwell.
When county sheriff's deputies and police officers arrived at the home June 17, located just west of Highway 101 south of Bay Center, they found Raymond Shotwell wrapped in blankets lying on the living room floor and cardboard boxes had been placed on top of the body.
At approximately 5 a.m., Thomas Shotwell was located inside his vehicle that was parked in the Bay Center area. Deputies approached the vehicle and observed that Thomas Shotwell was in extreme medical distress. Deputies summoned for medical aid and forced entry into his locked vehicle and took him into custody to render aid without incident.
When apprehended, Shotwell was first transported to Willapa Harbor Hospital before he was transported to Vancouver to a critical care facility and was placed under guard.
"It is believed that Thomas Shotwell may have intentionally attempted to harm himself after the incident," Pacific County Chief Criminal Deputy Pat Matlock said in a press release.
Matlock said that a motive is unclear as to why the incident occurred. The Long Beach and Raymond police departments assisted the Pacific County Sheriff's Office with the incident along with the Pacific County Prosecutor's Office.
The two brothers are 2013 graduates of Naselle HS.