Longview Police Department

Update on Body Found in Lake Sacajawea

The body recovered from Lake Sacajawea on May 26, 2026, has been identified as Benjamin Gonzalez.

Mr. Gonzalez, 75, had previously been reported missing and was last seen on May 20, 2026, in the 2100 block of Ocean Beach Highway in Longview.

Preliminary information from the Coroner’s Office indicates the death appears to be the result of a medical event.

Detectives with the Longview Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this case. No additional information is available for release at this time.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Longview Police Department at 360-442-5800 and reference case L26-15005.

Captain Branden McNew
Longview Police Department

Community Awareness: Donation Scams

The Longview Police Department is urging community members to use care and discernment when making donations connected to the recent Nippon tragedy.

At this time, LPD is not aware of any confirmed donation scams related to this incident. This message is being shared proactively because scammers sometimes attempt to take advantage of tragedies through fraudulent donation requests, fake fundraisers, or “GoFundMe”-style scams.

If you choose to donate, the safest option is to use a trusted local financial institution, including the Longshoreman’s Credit Union or one of the other local credit unions where verified donation accounts have been established.

Before donating, please take a few moments to confirm the fundraiser is legitimate. Be cautious of unsolicited messages, pressure to donate quickly, requests for unusual payment methods, or fundraisers that cannot be verified.

Suspicious fundraising activity may be reported to the Longview Police Department.

𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝟓/𝟐𝟗 𝐀𝐓 𝟏𝟐:𝟑𝟎 𝐏𝐌:
𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄
Longview's drinking water remains safe, and there continues to be no threat to the public water supply.

Public Works crews and the Diking District worked throughout the night and continue pumping and flushing water through the drainage system. pH levels in the ditch along Industrial Way near the City's well field have returned to normal and stabilized.

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒
While significant progress has been made, there are still areas within the drainage network with elevated pH levels. Until monitoring confirms conditions have stabilized throughout the system, residents are asked to stay out of affected sloughs, dikes, and drainage ditches and keep pets away from these areas.

As a precaution, anyone who has come into contact with water in affected areas should rinse off thoroughly with clean water. Pet owners should also rinse their animals if they have been exposed. Anyone experiencing unusual symptoms should seek appropriate medical attention.

𝐖𝐇𝐘 𝐀𝐌 𝐈 𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀 𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐄𝐆𝐆 𝐎𝐃𝐎𝐑?
Residents may continue to notice a rotten egg odor in some areas. This odor is caused by hydrogen sulfide gas that is released as the product becomes diluted during the flushing process. While the smell may be unpleasant, hydrogen sulfide can be detected by the human nose at extremely low concentrations. Environmental monitoring continues to show no abnormal air quality conditions, and the odor is an indication that dilution efforts are working.

Warning signs have been installed throughout affected areas.

Thank you for your patience, support, and cooperation as response efforts continue.

Over the past several days, we have witnessed the resilience, compassion, and generosity that define our community. Longview Strong.

Update on Body Found in Lake Sacajawea:

Today at approximately 2:42 p.m., officers with the Longview Police Department, along with Fire and EMS personnel, responded to a report of a body floating in the lake near the intersection of Nichols Boulevard and Louisiana Street.

Detectives with the LPD Criminal Investigations Unit were called to assist with the investigation. At this time, the circumstances surrounding the discovery are considered suspicious, and Longview Police Department detectives are actively investigating the incident.

No additional information is available at this time.

Captain Branden McNew
Longview Police Department

Longview Police and Longview Fire personnel are currently investigating a potential drowning at Lake Sacajawea. Emergency responders remain on scene and ask the public to avoid the area while the investigation and search efforts continue. Additional information will be released when appropriate.

MISSING PERSON

Benjamin Gonzalez (75 yo) was last seen on May 20th, 2026 in the 2100 block of Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview.

Mr. Gonzalez is a 5’0”, 125 lb, Hispanic male with brown eyes and black/gray hair.

If seen, call police immediately at 360-762-6800 reference case L26-14642.

𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Today, Thursday, May 21, 2026, at approximately 9:26 a.m., the Longview Police Department arrested Karen Cloninger, Superintendent of Longview Public Schools, as part of the ongoing investigation related to the reported sexual assault case involving students at Mark Morris High School.

Charges include:
• Tampering with a witness, RCW 9A.72.120 (felony)
• Failure to report, RCW 26.44.080 (gross misdemeanor)
• Obstructing a law enforcement officer, RCW 9A.76.020 (gross misdemeanor)

Additional charges are forthcoming for Andrew Schoonover, Executive Director of Student Services for Longview Public Schools, including but not limited to:
• Failure to report, RCW 26.44.080 (gross misdemeanor)
• Making a false or misleading statement to a public servant, RCW 9A.76.175 (gross misdemeanor)

“This investigation required a significant amount of time, coordination, and evidence review,” said Police Chief Robert Huhta. “We understand the significance this case has in our community and the concern it has created for students, families, staff, and the broader public.”

According to the probable cause statement, detectives developed information that Mark Morris High School staff and district leadership were made aware of allegations involving physical and sexual misconduct involving students as early as Jan. 29, 2026. Detectives further allege Superintendent Karen Cloninger was made aware of details involving multiple students, including allegations that one student was forcibly dragged into the Mark Morris High School varsity team room, pinned to the ground, and partially disrobed.

The probable cause statement further alleges Longview Police Department leadership directly contacted Cloninger on Feb. 5, 2026, after reports began circulating on social media and asked whether law enforcement assistance was needed. Detectives allege law enforcement was informed the matter had been investigated by the Longview School District and handled internally.

LPD began an official investigation after a parent contacted law enforcement directly on Feb. 9, 2026, to report a sexual assault. During the investigation, detectives also developed probable cause related to mandatory reporting requirements, information provided to law enforcement, and records and communications obtained through multiple search warrants.

Detectives further allege employees raised internal concerns regarding mandatory reporting obligations and whether law enforcement should be contacted. According to the probable cause statement, investigators developed information alleging employees were directed by Cloninger to handle the matter internally and discourage further discussion regarding the incident.

“Keeping children safe is a shared community responsibility,” continued Chief Huhta. “I want to thank our detectives for the professionalism, diligence, and care they have shown throughout this investigation. Our responsibility is to follow the facts, conduct thorough investigations, protect the integrity of the process, and present information through the legal system appropriately.”

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Detectives continue reviewing evidence and following additional investigative leads. Additional arrests or charges remain possible as the investigation progresses.

Due to the active nature of the investigation and anticipated court proceedings, neither the City of Longview nor the Longview Police Department will be providing interviews or responding to media inquiries at this time.

In the early morning of 04/30/2026, officers responded to the 4100 block of Ocean Beach Hwy for an unknown injury collision. While enroute, officers were advised there was at least one vehicle on its top. Upon arrival, it was discovered there were two vehicles that collided head on at an extremely high rate of speed. Both drivers were presumably impaired. Two occupants of one vehicle were trapped inside and needed to be extricated by fire crews. All involved parties were transported to St. John Medical Center for evaluation. This scene was especially chaotic, and responders worked together to make sure everyone went home safely. Thank you to the Longview Fire Department, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue, the Washington State Patrol, and Kelso Police Department for all your life saving efforts and great teamwork!

LPD Investigating Shooting: Two Victims are Confirmed Deceased.

On April 11, 2026, at about 10:45 p.m., LPD officers were dispatched to a reported shooting that had just occurred in the parking lot of the AWPPW Hall in the 700 block of 15th Avenue in Longview.

Officers located the suspect vehicle leaving the scene and initiated a pursuit. The pursuit traveled into West Longview before circling back through town. During the pursuit, the suspect threw a semiautomatic handgun from the vehicle window. The firearm was later recovered by officers. The pursuit ended back at the AWPPW Hall parking lot, where the suspect stopped the vehicle and fled on foot. He was apprehended after a short foot chase.

At the shooting scene, officers located two victims suffering from critical gunshot wounds. Both died from their injuries. Approximately 200 people were present at the AWPPW Hall at the time of the shooting.

Officers and Deputies from Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, Kelso Police Department, and Washington State Dept of Fish and Wildlife responded to assist.

Detectives will remain on scene through the night processing the crime scene.

The suspect, Andres Carrasco-Sanchez, 49, of Kelso, was arrested and booked into jail for two counts of Murder in the First Degree.

No further information is expected to be released by LPD about this case.

Captain Branden McNew
Investigations Division Commander