Army vet shot at S. Oregon VA clinic faces charges

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – An Army veteran who was shot during a confrontation inside a Veterans Affairs clinic in southern Oregon where he went to seek help for mental problems was in jail Tuesday, charged with attempted assault, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and other crimes.

Gilbert “Matt” Negrete allegedly displayed a knife Thursday after arriving at the clinic in White City, where he had an appointment. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said VA police tried “less-lethal force options” to disarm Negrete before one of the officers fired, hitting him in the chest. Negrete, 34, was flown to a hospital in nearby Medford. No one else was injured.

Deputy District Attorney Laura Cromwell says Negrete was released from the hospital Saturday and is in the county jail with bail set at $250,000.