Police officer shoots, critically injures man on Highway 101

A police officer shot and critically injured a combative man Wednesday on Highway 101 in Newport after attempts to subdue him with pepper spray and Tasers failed, Oregon State Police reported.

Shortly before noon, Newport police reported to a report of an unwanted subject at Agate Beach RV Park in Newport, troopers said.

Two Newport police officers and a Lincoln County sheriff’s deputy contacted the man, identified as Natharath Thilavans, 53, of Portland.

“He became combative and multiple attempts at non-lethal force were applied (pepper spray and taser applications) without success,” troopers said in a news release..

“During the altercation, Thilavans raised a dangerous weapon and threatened the officers,” theys aid. “One officer fired his duty weapon at the suspect, striking him and critically injuring him.”

Thilavans was taken to Newport Hospital, then flown to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis.

Troopers said more information would be released in the “ongoing investigation … when it becomes available.”

Portland radio talk-show host Lars Larson obtained an exclusive video of the officer-involved shooting, which is posted on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gNpdeAYGXo (WARNING: Graphic violence and language.)