Camas councilman arrested for pointing gun at fisherman

CAMAS, Wash. – A Camas city council member was arrested Friday morning after allegedly throwing a rock and pointing a gun at a fisherman along the Washougal River Greenway.

John Vincent Svilarich, 66, was walking across a pedestrian bridge on the Greenway Trail on Aug. 31 when an argument broke out between him and a fisherman. The argument escalated and Svilarich threw an eight-inch rock from the bridge at the fisherman below him and shortly thereafter “pointed a handgun at the man,” Camas police said.

Officers questioned both men the day of the argument and arrested Svilarich on Friday after an investigation, Camas police said. Svilarich was charged with reckless endangerment and pointing/discharging a firearm.

The pistol used was handed over to the Camas police.

Svilarich was sworn into the City Council on Jan. 2, and his term expires Dec. 31, 2027. According to his biography on the City of Camas website, Svilarich joined the Camas community in 2002. He currently serves as a City Councilor on several committees, including the Parks and Recreation Committee.

“He loves our trails, parks and open spaces. He can often be found at one of our many trails or rivers, walking his dog and enjoying nature,” Svilarich's biography states.