Madras, Ore. – A fatal officer-involved shooting occurred in Madras on Thursday evening, resulting in the death of a 28-year-old man, according to Madras Police. The incident led to the temporary closure of U.S. Highway 97 for several hours as authorities conducted their investigation.
The shooting took place around 6:00 p.m. near the Dollar General store. Officials later reported that the suspect had died. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, and Oregon State Police, responded to the scene.
A video taken by a witness shows officers surrounding the man as he walked near the store. At one point, he appeared to reach down for something before shots were fired. The person recording the video can be heard indicating that police had just shot the individual.
According to Central Oregon Daily News, they spoke with a witness who says that he saw a shirtless man walking along the northbound bike lane. According to the witness, the man waved an object toward a group of three to four officers before moving toward the southbound lanes. The witness then lost sight of the group.
Shortly afterward, three gunshots rang out.
When the witness reached the scene, he saw a person lying in the middle of the road with officers attending to him. An ambulance arrived, and a paramedic began performing CPR, he recalled.
The identity of the man who was shot has not yet been officially released, so Central Oregon Daily News is withholding his name. However, family members disclosed that he was 28 years old.
The Bend Police Department has taken the lead in the investigation.
This is a developing story which may be updated as we learn more.
