Early this morning, Saturday, September 14th, at approximately 12:42 a.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in rural Linn County, near Scio. The Oregon State Police located the suspect vehicle on Shimanek Bridge Drive, off Richardson Gap Road. Upon arrival, officers found the driver, an armed male suspect in the driver seat of the vehicle.
Despite repeated commands, the suspect refused to comply with officers. During the standoff, the suspect discharged his firearm. The Linn County Regional SWAT Team, along with the Crisis Negotiation Team, was deployed to the scene. Investigators engaged with the suspect by phone in an attempt to peacefully resolve the situation.
The SWAT Team engaged with the armed suspect, and ultimately due to the suspect’s actions he was shot. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement personnel were injured in the incident.
The Linn County Regional SWAT Team is a multi-agency unit consisting of personnel from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Albany Police Department, and Sweet Home Police Department. The SWAT Team Member who discharged their firearm is employed by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
As per agency policy and in accordance with deadly force protocols, Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan and Benton County Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall have requested the Oregon State Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
The pedestrian who was struck by the vehicle was transported with minor injuries to the hospital.
