Police Seeking Relatives of Man Shot by Officer in Park

Portland Police are asking anyone who was in the area or has any information about this incident, to contact Detective Mark Slater at (503) 823-9319. This is an ongoing investigation.

(PORTLAND, Ore,) - The Medical Examiner's Office is still trying to locate the next of kin of the man shot yesterday at Hoyt Arboretum, Portland Police Detective Mary Wheat stated today. At this time, they are only stating that the man is a 58-year-old white male.

"The Medical Examiner's Office has completed their examination of the man who was shot by police yesterday at Hoyt Arboretum. The Medical Examiner's Office has released those results to the public and have stated that the cause of death was a gunshot wound. The man has been identified and we are awaiting notification of next of kin before releasing his identity," Wheat said.

Monday, March 22, 2010, at 3:05 p.m., a Portland Police Officer was dispatched to the Hoyt Arboretum following a 9-1-1 call regarding a man who was harassing and threatening people.

Wheat says Officer Jason Walters, a 13-year veteran, arrived at the scene at 3:24 p.m. and made contact with the man who was in the bathroom near the Hoyt Arboretum office.

"The man, who had significant blood on him, confronted the officer with a razor knife," Wheat said.

"The officer retreated and gave repeated commands to the subject to drop the razor knife, but the subject refused to do so. The officer and the subject began moving out of the bathroom area, with the subject still approaching the officer with the razor knife. At this point, the officer fired shots at the subject."

She says the officer immediately requested medical assistance and the subject was pronounced dead upon Medical's arrival.

"Additional officers and investigators arrived and began to set up a perimeter and talk to witnesses. Some witnesses had left the scene prior to investigators arriving, and detectives want to find those individuals and anyone who was in the area and might have information about this incident."

An autopsy is scheduled for today, Wheat said. Portland Police are asking anyone who was in the area or has any information about this incident, to contact Detective Mark Slater at (503) 823-9319. This is an ongoing investigation.