Suspect killed in gunfight with Clackamas Co. deputies

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say a suspect died during an exchange of gunfire with deputies southeast of Portland.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday the man was wanted for violating a restraining order, and a SWAT team was dispatched to the scene in the community of Boring.

The sheriff’s office displayed a photo on Twitter that showed a patrol car with bullet holes in the windshield. The agency said in the 7:30 a.m. tweet that “more than one” of its vehicles was struck by gunfire.

No deputies were injured.

The suspect’s name has not been released. It was not immediately clear if he died from a shot fired by deputies or a self-inflicted wound.

Investigators planned to spend several hours processing the crime scene.

—

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office news release, issued late Tuesday morning:

Early this morning, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office deputies exchanged gunfire with a Violation of Restraining Order suspect in Boring. No deputies were injured. The suspect is deceased.

At approximately 11 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, deputies responded to a call about a suspect violating a restraining order at a residence in the 17500 block of SE Ten Eyck Rd. in unincorporated Clackamas County.

Responding deputies made contact with the woman who had filed the restraining order. She told deputies that the suspect was heavily armed, wearing a helmet and vest, and was somewhere on the property. Deputies called for SWAT backup.

SWAT responded to the scene. They searched the property and were unable to locate the suspect. The woman was transported to safety.

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 26, SWAT personnel made contact with the suspect as he was driving his work van, activating lights and attempting to pull the suspect vehicle over. The suspect fled the scene in the vehicle. Deputies initiated a pursuit.

The pursuit ended at the suspect’s residence, located in the 13200 block of SE 312th Dr., located near Hwy. 212 and SE Church Road in Boring. The suspect exited the vehicle, wearing a helmet and vest, and opened fire on deputies, hitting several patrol vehicles numerous times. (Photos of one of the damaged vehicles are attached.) Deputies returned fire. Deputies located the suspect deceased behind the property.

This is now a joint investigation with the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team. At this writing, detectives, forensic examiners with our Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and members of the Major Crimes Team are processing the scene and conducting interviews.

Southeast 312th will be closed between Hwy. 212 and SE Church Rd. in Boring for several more hours as investigators process the crime scene — please avoid the area.

The suspect is not being named at this time, pending family notifications and further investigation. The State Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine cause of death.

The deputies involved in the shooting are now on paid administrative leave — which is standard practice following an officer-involved shooting. Their names are not being released at this time.

Further details will be released as the investigation progresses.