Self-Defense Shooting In Kelso: Intended Victim Turns Tables on Assailants

KELSO, WASHINGTON — An altercation escalated when a man shot one of his attackers, as reported by the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred near Riverside Park on Thursday afternoon. Kelso Police detained a man found with a pistol near the scene, who admitted to shooting at two assailants.

Authorities later found two individuals in a car near Rainbow Way and West Side Highway, one of whom had a gunshot wound and was then hospitalized. The investigation revealed that the conflict began when Asa McVay Keith Kelly, 21, and Karmin Alexander Kerr, 19, confronted a man and a woman in their car, accusing them of gang affiliation and assaulting the man.

A video of the incident showed the victim, defending himself, shooting Kerr once while exiting the vehicle. Both Kelly and Kerr were arrested and face charges of fourth-degree assault and second-degree criminal trespass.