Clarkston man gets more than 23 years in prison for fatal 2025 shooting of neighbor
By Griffin Beach on Thursday, June 18th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
CLARKSTON — A 78-year-old Clarkston man was sentenced to more than 23 years in prison Friday after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.
David Boyd changed his plea as part of a deal with prosecutors on June 12 and was sentenced that same day for the January 2025 shooting death of his neighbor. Boyd had previously been charged with first-degree murder.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Asotin County Superior Court, Boyd confronted his neighbor, 53-year-old Chad VanScotter, at their Clarkston apartment complex on the night of Jan. 28, 2025. Boyd alleged that VanScotter was playing loud music to “bully” him.
During police interviews, Boyd admitted to bringing a loaded firearm to the confrontation. He told investigators that VanScotter struck him with a walking stick, but admitted the neighbor was moving away when Boyd first shot him.
VanScotter was pronounced dead at the scene with gunshot wounds to the chest and forehead.
A search of Boyd’s apartment revealed two notes. One stated, “This (expletive) has pushed me past my limit I’m going to kill him and then myself I can’t take anymore.” The other appeared to be a suicide note with instructions on how to access Boyd’s bank accounts and handle his personal property.
Boyd called 911 to report the shooting, admitting to police that he intended to shoot himself afterward but said he could bring himself to do it.
Boyd claimed he wrote the first note earlier that day but did not have plans to confront VanScotter at the time. He said the suicide note had been written about 10 months earlier during a period of health issues.
Boyd has been held without bond since his arrest.
