Disturbance in Aloha Becomes Deadly Police Shooting

The deputies say the man fired several rounds before they returned fire.

Salem-News.com

(ALOHA, Ore.) - An Aloha man was shot and killed late last night by two Washington County deputies after he reportedly fired at them. Sgt. David Thompson says deputies responded to a call of a disturbance for the second time during the night.

"When they arrived they were confronted by the resident who shot at them multiple times. The deputies returned fire and struck the suspect who later died at the scene," Thompson said.

It began at 11:05 PM Saturday when deputies responded to a report of a disturbance at 19977 SW Stokesay Lane. A third party calling from another location reported that the man at the residence, 37-year-old Steve Stantruf, was intoxicated and possibly suicidal.

Thompson says they were also notified that Mr. Stantruf had several firearms inside the house, adding that deputies had responded to the same location earlier in the night at 9:25 PM on another disturbance call.

The first response didn't amount to any action Thompson said, "After investigating that incident it was determined that no crimes had been committed and the deputies left."

Then when deputies returned for the second call, they had brief contact with Mr. Stantruf, that turned deadly. Thompson says that soon after arriving, "Mr. Stantruf fired several rounds at two deputies who then returned fire and struck Mr. Stantruf with an undetermined number of rounds. Mr. Stantruf retreated inside his house at which time the Washington County Tactical Negotiations Team (TNT) was called in to take over the scene."

"After several attempts to communicate with Mr. Stantruf, TNT Members made entry into the house and found him deceased."

At this time the Washington County Major Crimes Team is investigating the shooting. When the investigation is complete the reports will be turned over to the District Attorney's Office.

Thompson says the names of the deputies involved will not be released at this time.