Eugene Police shot a man this morning in the Whiteaker neighborhood. A 911 dispatcher got a call about a domestic violence incident and restraining order violation. The caller said the man left an apartment complex and was armed with a knife.
Near West Second and Madison, two police officers spotted the suspect and after a confrontation, shot him. An ongoing investigation is reviewing video from several sources, with information that the knife-carrying man advanced on officers prior to being shot.
An EPD release says once the scene was secure, officers administered emergency medical aid, and the suspect was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Eugene’s Chief of Police says today’s shooting incident has been turned over to the Lane County District Attorney’s office.
Chris Skinner said the man shot by police had a history of “family violence” when he violated a restraining order at an apartment complex in the Whiteaker area. Skinner says a 911 call alerted police to the suspect, who had left armed with a knife.
“Whether that was meant for police, or was meant to intimidate the victim…right now we don’t know the answers to that, but we do know that the knife was taken for a purpose.”
Police said the suspect entered a dead-end area at West 2nd and Madison, then advanced upon approaching officers. The man was hit twice. His status remains unknown at this time.
The Lane County’s Interagency Deadly Force Investigation Team is evaluating video footage of the shooting from multiple sources, including body cams. Both EPD officers on scene have been put on administrative leave.
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