Portland Officer Accidentally Fires Live Rounds

A Portland police officer who accidentally shot a suspect with lethal rounds from a shotgun made “a tragic mistake,” Portland’s mayor said Friday.

Portland police Officer Dane Reister fired his shotgun four times, striking suspect William Monroe on Thursday morning with live rounds.

Portland Police Chief Mike Reese said Reister thought he was firing less-lethal beanbag rounds,

The 20-year-old Monroe remains in critical but stable condition at a Portland hospital.

Police were responding to callers who said Monroe was harassing children at a day camp. Another caller said Monroe had a knife.

When officers tried to confront Monroe, he fled to the city’s waterfront, where Reister shot him.