DALLAS (OR) – Today, Polk County District Attorney Aaron Felton announced that upon the conclusion of testimony, the Grand Jury unanimously found that two Salem Police Officers were justified in their use of deadly force that resulted in injury to 34-year old Daniel Luis Garcia on September 13, 2024.
The Grand Jury’s decision means they have determined no criminal prosecution is warranted, and that the use of deadly force against Mr. Garcia by Salem Officers Nathan Bush and Colton Ruyle was a lawful act of self-defense or defense of a third person, pursuant to Oregon law.
This investigation began on Friday, September 13, 2024, at approximately 5:00 a.m., following the report of an officer-involved shooting involving members of the Salem Police Department. The Oregon State Police Major Crimes Team conducted the investigation pursuant to Oregon’s Senate Bill 111 protocols and the Polk County District Attorney’s Office presented the evidence to the Grand Jury.
In making their decision, the Grand Jury heard from officers from the Salem Police Department and detectives from the Oregon State Police. The Grand Jury also reviewed photos from the incident scene and body camera video form the involved officers. Applying that evidence to the legal principles regarding the use of deadly force, the Grand Jury found that Officers Bush and Ruyle’s use of deadly force was lawful and justified because,
- The use of physical force was necessary to defend the police officer or another person from the use or threatened imminent use of deadly physical force; and
- The officer’s life or personal safety was endangered in the particular circumstance involved
The Grand Jurors who heard this case are Polk County community members. Each Grand Juror was selected from the regularly scheduled empaneled jury pool. This is a process set by Oregon’s Constitution.
