Highway 101 ReOpens In Newport After Officer Involved Shooting

Suspect is in trauma unit in Corvallis hospital.

(LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore.) - The Newport Police Department responded to the report of an unwanted subject at Agate Beach RV Park about 11:50 a.m. today. The suspect, 53-year old Nantharath Thilavans, from Portland, OR, was contacted.

Two Newport Police Department Officers and one Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy arrived and contacted Mr. Thilavans. He reportedly became combative and multiple attempts at non-lethal force were applied (pepper spray and taser applications) without success.

During the altercation, police say Thilavans raised a dangerous weapon and threatened the officers.

One officer fired his duty weapon at the suspect, striking him and critically injuring him.

Thilavans was transported to Newport Hospital for his injuries where he was subsequently taken by air ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis.

The complete closure of Highway 101 north of Newport at 60th Street (MP 137) continued into the evening, and was reopened both ways by 8 p.m.

This is an ongoing investigation. More information will be released when it becomes available.

Source: Oregon State Police