PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland police Chief Mike Reese has praised a police traffic sergeant who fired one shot as he watched a homicide unfold early New Year’s Day outside a club.
The chief said Monday that after Sgt. Mike Fort fired a round at a man he saw shooting at a Club 915 bouncer, the officer continued to chase after the suspect.
Police say 31-year-old Kevin Charles Moffett was arrested minutes later. The chief says Moffett was with a group of people who were escorted out of the club after fights inside.
The victim in that shooting has been identified as 32-year-old Ruben Mata.
Reese told reporters that Fort not only tried to prevent a homicide, but his actions led to an arrest.
Police recovered one spent bullet casing from the sergeant’s gun. Reese says the bullet hit a wall and the officer had a clear backstop when he fired outside the club.
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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com