Suspect Critically Wounded in Salem After Shooting Woodburn Police Officer

The officer is in Stable condition, the suspect is Critical.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Officers from Woodburn Police Department were conducting a follow-up investigation at about 11:20 p.m. Tuesday into a residential burglary that occurred in Woodburn on March 27th. The victim of the burglary reported that items stolen from his residence included two firearms.

The initial investigation resulted in an arrest of one suspect and the identification of a second person of interest.

The investigation led Woodburn officers to the Salem area where they attempted to contact the person of interest at an apartment complex in the 3700 block of Sunnyview Drive NE.

While Woodburn officers were awaiting Salem police to arrive to assist, shots were fired by the person of interest related to the burglary investigation.

A Woodburn police officer was struck by more than one round.

A radio call for assistance was issued, bringing additional Salem officers and deputies from the Marion County Sheriff's Office into the area. A description of the suspect was broadcast to responding officers & deputies.

Approximately seven minutes later, a Marion County Sheriff's deputy spotted the suspect in the rear parking lot of a business in the 2200 block of Lancaster Drive NE.

The deputy attempted contact with the shooting suspect during which shots were fired by the deputy, striking the suspect. Deputies immediately started first aid on the suspect until medics arrived to take over initial treatment and transport him to the Salem Hospital.

The identities of the officer, deputy and suspect involved in this investigation will be released at a later news briefing. The officer is reportedly in stable condition at Salem Hospital; the suspect is also being treated at Salem Hospital and is in critical condition.

"We are very relieved to hear that the officer survived. We stand behind our deputy. He responded to this dangerous situation according to his training and within our policy and the laws governing the use of deadly force. There is no public safety concern at this time; the suspect is in custody," according to Sheriff Jason Myers.

The investigation of both shootings is being handled by the Homicide Assault Response Team (HART) led by Oregon State Police Criminal Investigations Division, in cooperation with the Marion County District Attorney's Office, according to the Senate Bill 111 officer-involved shooting protocols.

Additional information will be released later today with the approval of the Marion County District Attorney's Office.

Source: Marion County Sheriff