A person believed to be the suspect sought by law enforcement from multiple agencies after shooting and injuring a Rainier police officer Monday afternoon was found deceased near the vehicle he abandoned outside of Clatskanie. The deceased's name and other information not included in this news release will be provided when approved by investigators.
On June 23, 2014 at approximately 12:30 p.m., a Rainier police officer, accompanied by a reserve officer, stopped a passenger car on Highway 30 near Veteran's Way in Rainier related to reported driving complaints. As the officer approached the car the driver shot the officer in one of his hands. The driver then fled in the vehicle westbound on Highway 30.
The officer drove himself to a local hospital in Longview, Washington, from where he was taken by ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center for further treatment. Officer Russ George remains at the hospital for treatment related to his gunshot wound. He is in serious condition, but his injury is non-life threatening. The officer's family relayed through Legacy Emanuel Medical Center their gratitude for the community's support and requests privacy and no media contact at this time.
At approximately 5:00 p.m., officers searching for the suspect found a deceased male in the vicinity of the vehicle found abandoned earlier this afternoon outside of Clatskanie. Questions regarding the search should be directed to Columbia County Sheriff's Office which coordinated the multi-agency ground and air search. The deceased's name will be provided in an update news release after an autopsy is scheduled and completed.
Highway 30 was restricted to one lane of travel in both directions until about 6:20 p.m. OSP detectives and a reconstructionist are on scene completing evidence collection, photographs, and scene diagram measurements.
No updates are anticipated tonight. Additional information, including the reserve officer's name, will be released only if approved by investigators, Rainier Police Department, and Columbia County District Attorney's Office.
The injured officer's age and law enforcement background is not available at this time.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
On June 23, 2014 at approximately 12:30 p.m., a Rainier police officer, accompanied by a reserve officer, stopped a passenger car on Highway 30 near Veteran's Way in Rainier related to reported driving complaints. As the officer approached the car the driver shot the officer in one of his hands. The driver then fled in the vehicle westbound on Highway 30.
The officer drove himself to a local hospital in Longview, Washington, from where he was taken by ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center for further treatment. Officer Russ George remains at the hospital for treatment related to his gunshot wound. He is in serious condition, but his injury is non-life threatening. The officer's family relayed through Legacy Emanuel Medical Center their gratitude for the community's support and requests privacy and no media contact at this time.
At approximately 5:00 p.m., officers searching for the suspect found a deceased male in the vicinity of the vehicle found abandoned earlier this afternoon outside of Clatskanie. Questions regarding the search should be directed to Columbia County Sheriff's Office which coordinated the multi-agency ground and air search. The deceased's name will be provided in an update news release after an autopsy is scheduled and completed.
Highway 30 was restricted to one lane of travel in both directions until about 6:20 p.m. OSP detectives and a reconstructionist are on scene completing evidence collection, photographs, and scene diagram measurements.
No updates are anticipated tonight. Additional information, including the reserve officer's name, will be released only if approved by investigators, Rainier Police Department, and Columbia County District Attorney's Office.
The injured officer's age and law enforcement background is not available at this time.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###