Salem Police Dept. – 12/09/20 1:59 PM
Gates, Ore. —The Salem Police Department is conducting an officer use of deadly physical force investigation which occurred near the City of Gates late Tuesday night, December 8, 2020.
The incident began in Bend, Oregon, when law enforcement responded to two robberies and a stolen vehicle. Deschutes County Sheriff’s Deputies pursued the suspect west on Highway 22 but terminated the pursuit on the eastern side of Santiam Pass. A Deschutes County Deputy sent out an “attempt to locate” the vehicle to surrounding agencies. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Oregon State Police and Linn County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area to assist. The suspect vehicle was located, and the pursuit began again.
Oregon State Police Troopers and a Linn County deputy took over the pursuit until the vehicle was finally stopped with spike strips near Gates, Oregon. Once stopped, the driver exited the vehicle, a confrontation ensued, and three troopers and a Linn County deputy fired shots.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Brad Tyler Masters, age 27, of Bend, Oregon. He was declared deceased at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The involved law enforcement officers are Oregon State Police Troopers Caleb Yoder, Michael Iacob, and Joseph Sousa, who have been with the Oregon State Police 5 years and 10 months, 4 years and 11 months, and 3 years and 10 months respectively. The Linn County Deputy Sheriff involved was Brandon Rathelegurche, who has been with Linn County Sheriff’s Office for 2 years and 10 months. Each officer has been placed on administrative leave per their respective agency’s policies.
In accordance with Marion County’s Law Enforcement Intentional Use of Deadly Physical Force Response Plan (“SB111 plan”), which outlines investigatory standards for deadly force investigations, the non-involved Salem Police Department was requested to conduct the investigation. Salem Police detectives are working with the Marion County District Attorney’s Office to complete the investigation.
Once the investigation is concluded it will be sent to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office for presentation to the Grand Jury. No further investigation will be released, and all future information will be released by the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
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