On December 7, 2023, just two days shy of his 28th birthday, a 27-year-old White male named David Austin Pfleger was killed in Woodland, Washington. The tragic event unfolded at a residence in the 1100 block of South Pekin Road where he lived with his girlfriend and her brother.
That evening, Cowlitz County deputies and Woodland police were dispatched to the home after a 911 call was placed by one of the residents, Corey Allen Raymond, age 36.
Raymond, who was Pfleger's roommate and the brother of his girlfriend, initially told dispatchers that there was a dispute. He claimed Pfleger was intoxicated, making threats, and would not leave the property. The situation escalated dramatically during the phone call, and approximately four minutes in, Raymond informed the dispatcher that he had just shot Pfleger. When law enforcement arrived, they found David Austin Pfleger deceased inside the home from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.
Further investigation revealed a tense living situation. Pfleger was in a relationship with Raymond’s sister, and all three shared the home. The sister was not present when the shooting occurred. According to detectives, Raymond admitted that he did not like Pfleger and did not want him living in the house. During an interview, Raymond stated that he had shoved Pfleger to the ground and that when Pfleger attempted to get back up, he pulled out a Ruger. 380 pistol and fired.
An examination of the 911 call provided a chilling account of the moments leading up to the shooting. Investigators noted they could not hear any direct threats being made by Pfleger, and they heard Raymond tell the dispatcher that Pfleger was unarmed. Seconds before the fatal shots were fired, Raymond was reportedly heard saying, "This psycho needs to die," followed by, "Let's do this." Corey Allen Raymond was arrested and booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder.
