Portland - Subject Shoots at Police; Officer-Involved Shooting Occurs

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Today at 12:40 a.m., East Precinct Officers responded to a call in the 11000 Block of SE 106th and Cherry Blossom Avenue regarding a family disturbance. The caller stated that he had accidentally shot his stepson.

When officers arrived, the owner of the home reported that his stepson was attacking his stepdaughter and that the stepdaughter and wife were still in the house. The man also reported that he accidentally shot his stepson during the course of the argument.

Police were told there were firearms in the house. They also learned the subject was on post prison supervision and had been drinking when the argument ensued. The Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) was activated, and the stepdaughter and mother were quickly retrieved. However, the barricaded subject began to fire at officers outside.

As the officers waited for SERT to arrive, they took positions behind cover. Officers believed rounds were being fired in their direction. Two houses, one in front of the home and one behind, were both damaged by the gunfire.

Additional officers began evacuating nearby residences. In conjunction with the Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT), SERT attempted to contact the subject by loud hailing. Due to the danger to officers and the fact that negotiations were not feasible, the decision was made to deploy chemical agents into the home.

As the subject continued to fire at officers, a SERT Officer, 17-year veteran of the Police Bureau, fired his weapon. Around the same time, Officers observed flames coming from the home. Within minutes, the home was fully engulfed. Officers evacuated other occupants of nearby homes as a precaution.

After Portland Fire & Rescue was able to assess the structure, with the help of fire investigators, Detectives determine the deceased was 46-year-old Craig Boehler, who was inside the residence. Mr. Boehler's body was recovered a short time ago. The Medical Examiner's Officer will now conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Portland Police are asking anyone who was in the area or has any information about this incident or knowledge of Mr. Boehler prior to this incident to call Portland Police Detectives at (503) 823-0400. This is an ongoing investigation.

News Release from: Portland Police Bureau