Six Police Officers Fire Fatal Shots at Man in Douglas County

Police say the man was killed after he exited a car brandishing a handgun.

Salem-News.com

(ROSEBURG, Ore.) - A Douglas County man died early Sunday morning after he was shot by police officers during what they describe as an armed standoff on a rural logging road, following the man's attempt to elude State, county and city police officers.

Lt. Gregg Hastings with Oregon State Police says an investigation is currently underway by the interagency Douglas County Major Crimes Team, led by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and coordinated with the Douglas County District Attorney's Office.

"Names of the deceased man and involved officers will not be released until this week following approval of the District Attorney's office and involved agencies," he said.

At approximately 1:20 AM this morning, Hastings says an Oregon State Police trooper attempted contact with a lone male occupant of a suspicious vehicle at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

"Upon approaching the 1999 Honda Civic four-door, the OSP trooper saw the man appeared very nervous and was in possession of a rifle and handgun. The trooper immediately retreated for his safety. The car fled from the scene and attempted to elude OSP northbound on Interstate 5 from Interchange 123."

He says the car exited near milepost 127 into Roseburg where Roseburg Police Department took over attempts to get the car to stop.

"The fleeing car eventually led officers outside of Roseburg continuing to elude county, city and State police officers. The car attempted to elude officers west of Interstate 5 on county roads and dirt / gravel logging roads in the Callahan Ridge area."

At approximately 2:00 AM, the car became boxed in by officers on a single lane logging road about 20 miles west of Interstate 5. Hastings says officers attempted to talk the man into surrendering without incident.

"OSP SWAT personnel were dispatched to respond. A Douglas County Sheriff's Office corporal trained as a negotiator was on scene to help bring this to a peaceful conclusion."

However, at 5:58 AM the man was shot at by five OSP troopers and one Roseburg police officer after he got out of his car and brandished a handgun. Officers immediately began giving the man medical care, Hastings said, as staged medical personnel responded. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Investigators remain on scene Sunday. Next of kin have been notified. No information regarding an autopsy is known at this time.