Salem Police Officer Shoots Man Described as Fugitive After Chase

The suspect, Gabriel Diaz, has been listed on the Salem Police Top Ten Most Wanted list since February of 2012.

The suspect, Gabriel Diaz, has been listed on the Salem Police Top Ten Most Wanted list since February of 2012.

(SALEM) - A Salem Police Officer was involved in a shooting of a 29-year old fugitive on January 23 near the intersection of Lockhaven Dr N and Inland Shores Way N in Keizer following a pursuit.

The incident began at approximately 8:51 a.m. when Salem Police Officers attempted to stop a vehicle with a known wanted suspect inside near the intersection of Cordon Rd NE and Carolina Ave NE. The suspect had three valid warrants for Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and had been sought by investigators.

The suspect failed to stop the 2000 Ford pickup he was driving and led officers on a pursuit that lasted approximately 14 minutes and covered over 13 miles.

The Salem Police Department, Marion County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police and Keizer Police Department were all involved in the pursuit that went northbound on Cordon Rd, into Brooks and back down to Keizer.

The suspect was able to avoid spike strips that were placed in the roadway at least once during the pursuit.

Officers were able to use their vehicles to block the suspect vehicle near the intersection of Inland Shores Wy N and Lockhaven Dr N. Civilian witnesses on the scene told investigators that when the suspect exited his vehicle he had an object in his hand and was challenged by officers.

When he failed to comply with the officers' commands, Salem Police Canine Officer Bruce Fineran fired his weapon, striking the suspect.

Scene of the shooting, photo by Jerry Freeman

The suspect was transported to Salem Hospital, and at this time there are no updates on his medical condition. No officers were injured during the incident.

The suspect in the case has been identified as 29-year old Salem resident Gabriel D Diaz. Diaz has been listed on the Salem Police Top Ten Most Wanted list since February of 2012.

Officer Fineran, a 21-year veteran with the Salem Police Department, and other officers who were directly involved in the incident will be placed on administrative leave as is standard procedure while the incident is being investigated.

The Oregon State Police and Marion County District Attorney's Office will be coordinating and conducting this investigation with the assistance of the Keizer Police Department, Marion County Sheriff's Office and Salem Police Department.

This is standard procedure for the Salem Police Department to request the Oregon State Police conduct an independent investigation of incidents of this nature.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Oregon State Police at 1-800-452-7888.

Source: Salem Police press release

Video by Jerry Freeman, Salem-News.com; the officer who speaks from Salem Police is Lieutenant Dave Okada.