Bend PD IDs 3 officers involved in shooting; DA seeks info

(Update: Adding video, comment from DA John Hummel)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend Police released Wednesday the names and work backgrounds of three officers involved in a pursuit and attempted arrest early Monday that led to the shooting and serious wounding of a Bend woman on U.S. Highway 20E about 40 miles east of Bend.

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel, meanwhile, said he's still hoping to hear from witnesses to the start of the police encounter with the woman, near St. Charles Bend.

Police said Monday that Danielle Bower, 29, was acting in an erratic manner and had blood on her when she encountered near the St. Charles Bend emergency department, then drove recklessly out of the parking lot, prompting a pursuit east on Highway 20.

They said her van left the highway near milepost 39 and came to a stop. The officers who tried to arrest Bower then fired their weapons. 

Wednesday's release did not provide more details of what transpired that led to the shooting.

The three police officers were identified as Sgt. Thomas Russell, Officer Tim Williams and Officer Victor Umnitz.

Sergeant Thomas Russell

• Currently assigned to the patrol division
• 15 years law enforcement experience, 13 with the Bend Police Department
• 23 Citizen Commendations
• 33 Department Commendations
• Decorated Marine Corps veteran

Officer Tim Williams

• Currently assigned to the patrol division
• 3 years of law enforcement experience
• Decorated United States Air Force veteran and currently serving as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force Reserve
• 2 Lifesaving awards

Officer Victor Umnitz

• Currently assigned as a Police K-9 handler
• 15 years of law enforcement experience with the Bend Police
• 9 Citizen Commendations
• 12 Department Commendations
• 1 Lifesaving award
• Decorated Marine Corps veteran

These three members of the Bend Police Department are currently assigned to administrative leave. 

"This assignment to administrative leave is not an indication of wrong-doing, but rather to be maintained compliance with department policy and in accordance with the Deschutes County Deadly Force Plan," Lt. Juli McConkey said in the news release. 

Hummel told NewsChannel 21 one of his main concerns is to determine why Bower was covered with blood when first encountered by police.

"I'm not convinced yet that we know everything that we need to know about that,” he said. “We're still working that angle, and I think there's more information out there that we don't know yet. So I would encourage anyone who has any information about what happened before Ms. Bower came to the hospital to come forward to law enforcement and let us know."