Last week’s unusual officer-involved shooting in North Portland will go before a Multnomah County grand jury for review—like every other police shooting in the county—even though the cops who fired their weapons were working for a Washington County tactical team.
Portland detectives are still investigating the March 13 shooting, which came as Portland gang detectives, assisted by Washington County tactical officers, were trying to serve a warrant in a gang case in New Columbia. As officers were approaching their target house, police said at the time, there reportedly was “an exchange” of gunfire at an unrelated home nearby.
Media reports later revealed that a man in that home, according to his family, had gone outside with his gun after seeing what looked like a prowler in his yard—only to be shot three times by police. He was identified by Portland police as Alberto Flores-Haro.
Police today confirmed that the grand jury would take on the case, issuing a statement that also identified the three officers involved in the shooting.
Investigation into the March 13, 2012 officer-involved shooting in North Portland is continuing. The officers involved in the shooting have been identified as Officer Steven Slade, an 11-year-veteran of the Hillsboro Police Department; Deputy John Egg, a 14-year-veteran of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office; and, Deputy Brian McLeod, a 12-year-veteran of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Portland Police Bureau detectives are continuing the investigation. When the investigation is complete it will be presented to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office for review and Grand Jury.
The grand jury’s role is a good sign. The fact that the three officers work out of town, putting them outside the reach of Portland’s oversight rules, could complicate the city’s investigation. I’m still waiting to hear from a bureau spokesman about whether the officers involved have been officially interviewed by Portland detectives and whether they’re actively cooperating as readily as a Portland officer would.
Update 3:45 PM: Sergeant Pete Simpson sent back an answer: “Yes to all.”
The much larger, and in my opinion, more important story is why those of us who live in North Portland have been forced by the city’s inaction to defend our property on our own. I live in a location near to where Mr. Flores-Haro lives and can’t say I would do anything differently than he did, even after he was shot. I’d almost rather take a stray bullet at this point than live knowing criminals are helping themselves to the life we’ve tryed to scrap out for ourselves.
Property crime in North Portland has reached a level far beyond that of a livable city. It’s constant car thefts, aggressive and repeated break ins, stealing of packages and mail off of front/back porches. Yet what are Portland police doing at 11 o’clock on a Thursday night? Speed trapping with three motorcycle cops on Greely.
It’s no surprise it was three Washington County cops serving that warrant. No Portland Police officer I’ve come across while filing police reports not worth the paper they are printed on has the stones or sense of duty to go into New Columbia after nightfall. There’s no law north of Lombard.
I thought all SWAT teams are well marked as police officers. How could you mistake one for a prowler? Especially as they (at leasst the ones I have seen) are carrying a lot of gear you wouldn’t expect to see on a prowler. Or am I wrong in this?
I would assume they were trying to be quiet as they approached the house. SWAT teams don’t typically announce themselves unless the cat is already out of the bag. And if they brought SWAT, they must have had reason to believe whoever they were serving was dangerous, so again, they’re not going to come in with sirens and lights.
Not only that, but this fellow probably didn’t get more than a step or two out of his door before the cops started firing.
The SERT team does not announce itself with bullhorns and flashing lights. When they came to my house 10+ yrs ago, they all hid, crouching in the bushes. The laser sights were my first clue.