Shooting Investigation: Boom Truck rams gate at Crestline before man fatally wounded
Investigators and an Oregon State Police forensic were on the scene of a shooting that involved three local law enforcement officials at 2914 West Sixth Street today, June 18 at 11 a.m.
By Tom Peterson
Investigators were piecing together information on the theft of a boom truck from Crestline Construction and the apparent consequent officer-involved shooting of a man on West Sixth Street in The Dalles this morning, July 18.
The man was fatally wounded in the shooting at about 2 a.m. and later died at Adventist Hospital in The Dalles this morning.
Three law enforcement officers fired their weapons before the man was fatally wounded.
Wasco County DA Matthew Ellis
At 10:30 a.m. this morning, Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis was at the site of the shooting in front of the Astro gas station, 2914 W. Sixth Street.
He was viewing evidence.
The road was blocked in both directions and drivers had to detour around the investigation scene as multiple police vehicles were on site.
An Oregon State Police forensic team was providing an independent look into the case that involved one TD Police officer and Two Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputies drawing and firing their weapons, Ellis said.
The boom truck that had multiple bullet holes to the windshield sat motionless and pointed toward the Astro entrance.
Dozens of yellow evidence markers had been placed around the boom truck, the likely location of evidence such as shell casings from spent bullets.
The Major Crimes Team comprised of members from The Dalles City Police, Hood River County Sheriff, Hood River City Police, and Wasco County Sheriff, were also working the case, Ellis said.
“Obviously, our officers are shaken up by the events of this morning and are disappointed in the outcome,” said the Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy, noting the officers reacted “the way I hoped they would under exceedingly difficult circumstances.”
“We want to express gratitude to the community for their support in these challenging times. This is where we work hard to be transparent and thorough enough, and we will not rest until we have a completely accurate investigation.”
The Dalles Police officer and the two Wasco County deputies who fired their weapons are on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete, per policy
“All of the officers… will be interviewed in the next couple of days,” Worthy said of the investigation, noting that a final determination on who discharged their weapons has yet to be determined.
“People here working long and challenging hours,” Worthy added, noting the investigation was taking much of the department’s time. “They understand the importance and gravity of it.“
A Senate Bill 111 Deadly Physical Force Response Plan has been initiated and is being carefully followed. SB111 dictates Oregon Law Enforcement’s response and obligations in deadly force incidents by law enforcement officers, according to a press release from The Dalles Police.
Greg Jensen with Crestline Construction said the man who stole the boom truck had broken into several vehicles in their yard on Crates Way in the Port of The Dalles.
It appeared a screwdriver was used by the thief to jimmy one ignition in another truck before he got the boom truck running, he said.
The thief then used the 10-ton boom truck to ram through the gate that was anchored by posts with more than 300 pounds of deadhead weight. A piece of 2 x4” metal tubing also ran the length of the first part of the gate.
The stolen boom truck put some pretty good bends in the yard gate at Crestline Construction. The thief rammed the gate several times with the boom truck on Crates Way.
Jensen said the thief chose the strongest portion of the fence to try and drive through.
The gate was rammed several times before it knocked the gate down. And once the truck snagged a 60-foot piece of cable that ran along the fence and dragged it behind.
Video surveillance was captured of the destruction, Jensen said.
The driver then drove the boom truck across the street to Oregon H20 parking lot, went between two semi-trailers, hopped the curb and drove through the back of the Oregon Food Bank parking lot before heading toward Fix Auto.
Spun gravel and rubber from the tires of the boom truck could be seen in the suspected getaway path.
Police first spotted the boom truck in the Home Depot Parking lot at 1:41 a.m., according to The Dalles Police.
The Deputies attempted to stop the driver of the boom truck, and the truck sped off east on West 6th Street in The Dalles, according to The Dalles Police. The Deputies reported aggressive driving from the tow truck driver who attempted to ram the deputies’ patrol vehicles. Officers from The Dalles Police Department were in the area and quickly assisted the Deputies in the incident.
City officers also noted the driver of the suspect vehicle was attempting to use the truck to ram police cars. In the area of the Astro gas station, a TD police car was rammed, heavily damaged and pushed up onto an embankment, police said.
Officers and WCSO deputies fired on the driver while the driver directed the truck at officers and failed to yield or follow directions.
Two Deputies and one City Officer fired their issued police firearms.
The suspect was struck by police gunfire.
The injured suspect was provided immediate first aid at the scene and first responders from Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue responded to give aid as well. The suspect was transported to Adventist Health Hospital in The Dalles, according to police.
The suspect died of his wounds at the hospital.
No further details or identification of the individuals involved have yet to be released.
“All the names will be released including the deceased,” Worthy said noting the man shot and killed was known to local police. “We have been solid and in continuous contact with the district attorney, and he will decide on the legality of the use of force and will direct the investigation…”
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