PORT ANGELES — Police are still investigating the events that led to Monday’s shooting death of Robert Fowler, 63, of Port Angeles.
The death is being investigated as a homicide, said Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith, but he qualified that by adding that all deaths caused by another human are initially investigated as homicides.
Detective Cpl. Jason Viada said Fowler, who was identified Tuesday, lived in the neighborhood of the home where he was shot and killed, but Viada declined to identify the house where Fowler lived.
Neighbors confirmed that Fowler lived at 209 E. Vashon Ave., next door to the house where he was killed.
Viada would not release the names of the father and daughter who live in the house where the shooting occurred and provided no new information on what happened at 211 E. Vashon Ave. on Monday afternoon.
No arrests had been made or charges filed by Tuesday evening.
“We’re pretty much in the same place we were,” Viada said.
“It’s a slow process,” he said.
Authorities were called by the resident of the home at 1:25 p.m. Monday.
The caller told a 9-1-1 dispatcher that he had been involved in a shooting with a neighbor.
On Tuesday, State Patrol evidence technicians collected and logged evidence inside the house where the shooting took place.
The alley behind the home was completely closed off by police tape to make room for official vehicles.
Dr. Daniel Selove, a forensic pathologist from Everett, visited the scene and performed an autopsy Tuesday afternoon, Viada said.
A Clallam County deputy prosecuting attorney also visited the scene.
“There is an ongoing discussion with the Prosecutor’s Office,” Viada said.
“The prosecutor will have to make a decision on whether or not to make a charge in the case,” he said.
The shooting death was a shock to neighbors, who knew Fowler as a friendly man who often mowed his neighbor’s lawn and gave toys to neighborhood children.
Autumn Smith, 22, lives next door to the home where the shooting happened.
“My fiance thought he heard a shot, but it sounded like the back door shutting,” Smith said.
A few minutes later, police with guns drawn were crossing her lawn, and the street had been blocked off, she said.
Smith said she did not know the father and daughter next door, but she did know Fowler and his wife.
“He was very friendly — a little goofy — but always friendly to everyone,” she said.
Smith said she often saw Fowler having a beer or simply sitting in the front yard talking with their neighbor.
Fowler was known for always being outside and working around the yard, especially during nice weather, Smith said.
“It’s kind of weird that he’s not out here,” she said, looking at Fowler’s empty yard.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.