A 49-year-old Washington man is behind bars after an April 11 shooting outside the AWPPW union hall in Longview left two people dead and sent a crowd of roughly 200 attendees scrambling for safety, authorities said.
Andres Carrasco-Sanchez of nearby Kelso was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on two counts of first-degree murder and is being held without bail. Police say the incident began just after 9 p.m. in the parking lot of the hall, a popular venue for weddings, quinceañeras and community fund-raisers.
How the Night Unfolded
According to the Longview Police Department, patrol units were dispatched to the hall on a report of “shots fired.” When officers arrived they found two victims suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene; their names have not yet been released, pending family notification.
While securing the area, officers noticed a sedan speeding away from the lot. A witness pointed to the car and told police the driver had been involved in the altercation. A pursuit ensued, winding through West Longview and back toward the city center.
During the chase Carrasco-Sanchez allegedly threw a loaded 9 mm semiautomatic pistol from the window, police said. A K-9 officer later recovered the weapon in a roadside ditch. The suspect eventually circled back to the union hall, abandoned his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot before he was tackled and handcuffed.
Inside the Venue: Panic Amid Celebration
Event organizers estimate that about 200 guests were inside the hall for a private party when the gunfire erupted outside. Many initially mistook the pops for fireworks or balloons bursting, but screams from the parking lot quickly changed the mood.
- Partygoers locked doors and turned off music while awaiting police instructions.
- Cell-phone video shows people crouching behind tables and shielding children.
- One DJ told local station KLTV he kept the lights low so the crowd would not present “a target silhouette.”
- No one inside the building was physically injured, but several guests were treated for anxiety-related symptoms.
Longview Police Chief Robert Huiras praised the “calm cooperation” of attendees, saying it “prevented additional casualties and allowed our officers to focus on the suspect.”
What We Know—and Don’t Know—About the Suspect
State court records list Carrasco-Sanchez’s address in Kelso, three miles north of Longview. He has no prior felony convictions in Washington, though Oregon authorities confirmed an outstanding 2022 warrant for failure to appear on a misdemeanor harassment charge.
Investigators have not disclosed a motive, nor have they clarified whether the suspect knew either victim. Toxicology results are pending, but police say there is no indication the shooting was gang-related. A search warrant for the suspect’s vehicle and social-media accounts was executed Sunday morning; results remain sealed.
Carrasco-Sanchez made a brief initial appearance Monday afternoon. Judge Gary Bashor set bail at \$5 million and appointed a public defender after the defendant stated he could not afford private counsel. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 25.
Community Reacts with Grief and Calls for Change
The AWPPW Hall has served as a social hub in Cowlitz County since the 1950s. On Sunday, mourners placed flowers and candles at a makeshift memorial near the entrance. Local pastor Maria Alvarez led a vigil, urging city leaders to increase lighting and security cameras in private-event zones.
“We shouldn’t have to worry about our kids getting shot while attending a birthday party,” Alvarez told the crowd.
Mayor MaryAlice Wallis announced that the city will form a task force to review permitting and safety protocols for large gatherings. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page created to help the victims’ families with funeral costs surpassed its \$40,000 goal within 24 hours.
What Happens Next
Longview detectives are asking anyone who left the scene without speaking to police to come forward. They are particularly interested in dash-cam or cell-phone footage from 8:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on April 11 along the pursuit route—Oregon Way to 30th Avenue and back to the hall.
If convicted as charged, Carrasco-Sanchez faces a minimum of 20 years and potentially life in prison under Washington’s firearm enhancement statute.
Chief Huiras emphasized that the investigation remains active. “Two people lost their lives in a place meant for celebration,” he said. “We owe it to them and to this community to find out exactly why.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Have the victims been identified?
Not publicly. Police are withholding names until relatives are notified and autopsies are complete.
Was the shooting random?
Investigators have not ruled out any motive, but they say there is no evidence the killer fired
InfluencerBlogger
