Clackamas DA: Milwaukie officers shot unarmed suspect, now in critical condition
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Milwaukie Police Department officers conducting a traffic stop in the parking lot of a Taco Bell on Monday shot an unarmed suspect, who is now in critical condition, authorities said on Wednesday.
On Sept. 30, just before 1 a.m., two officers conducted the stop at the fast food restaurant at 11000 SE Oak Street in Milwaukie, according to the Clackamas District Attorney's Office.
The suspect, identified on Wednesday as 21-year-old Hunter Newton, was accused of "driving with a misdemeanor suspended license," the DA's office said in a release.
Newton was the driver and only person in the car, officials said.
"Officers directed Newton to exit his vehicle, and he refused. Despite orders to exit and efforts to remove Newton from the car he continued to refuse and resisted removal. During the effort to pull Newton from the car the officers fired their duty pistols, striking Newton," the DA's office said. "Newton was not armed. The investigation is ongoing to determine the chain of events that led the officers to use their firearms."
Newton was critically injured and remains in critical condition at a local hospital, officials said.
When the shooting happened, additional law enforcement, fire and ambulance crews responded. Newton was then removed from the car, treated, and taken to the hospital.
"On behalf of the Milwaukie Police Department, I want to express our sincere thoughts and prayers to the family of Hunter Newton, who is currently in the vital care of medical staff and surrounded by family and friends," Milwaukie Police Chief Ryan Burdick said in a statement on Wednesday. "This fact-finding process is ongoing. The Milwaukie Police Department is fully committed to cooperating with outside agency investigators and the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office."
The officers involved were identified as Milwaukie Police Sergeant Eduardo Sanchez and Milwaukie Police Officer Kwasean Akom. Both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, per standard protocol, officials said.
An investigation into the shooting is being investigated by the Interagency Major Crimes Team and the Clackamas County District Attorney's Office.
Authorities say the officers involved in the shooting were wearing body cameras and the video is being reviewed.
"Body worn camera recordings of this incident will be shared with the community at the earliest permissible time," Burdick said in a press release on Wednesday.