Police shoot, kill gunman in Portland hospital lot

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A man shot by police in a parking lot at a Portland hospital after he wouldn’t put down his gun may have been a patient at that facility, police said Monday.

The adult man, whose name has not been released, died after being shot at by three police officers in the employee parking lot at Portland Adventist Medical Center at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said.

No officers were shot.

The three officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, as is standard procedure after an officer-involved shooting, Simpson said. The three officers are Sgt. Nathan Voeller, a 12-year-veteran; Officer Andrew Hearst, who has been with the department for three years; and Officer Royce Curtiss, a seven-year veteran. They all work in the East Precinct.

While officers responded to a call for help from the hospital, the large hospital complex was locked down to protect patients and staff.

It wasn’t yet clear Monday afternoon what exact circumstances led to the shooting.
An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday by the Oregon State Medical Examiner. Simpson said the man’s name would be released after he has been identified and his family notified.

A spokesman for Portland Mayor Charlie Hales said the mayor went to the hospital after being contacted by police and was briefed on the incident. Dana Haynes said Hales cannot say anything further until officers conclude their investigation.

“We are anticipating the release of further information in a couple of days,” Haynes said.

The police expect to release more details on Wednesday.