SALEM, Ore. — A policewoman survived being shot several times at close range by a motorist who was later arrested Wednesday at a nearby apartment in a capture operation assisted by around 100 law enforcement officers.
The arrest capped a night of drama in which a working-class neighborhood of Oregon’s capital city was swarmed by officers, including members of a special weapons and tactics team and from neighboring police departments. Streets were cordoned off as officers using dogs searched the area and advised residents to stay inside and lock their doors.
The policewoman had conducted a traffic stop Tuesday when the driver suddenly opened fire, Lt. Treven Upkes, spokesman for the Salem Police Department, said in an interview at the scene. Residents of the neighborhood, some wrapped in blankets and some still in pajamas, watched as police wrapped up their operation Wednesday morning and reopened streets.
It all started when the policewoman, who has been with the Salem Police Department for several years, was patrolling solo and stopped a vehicle around sunset Tuesday.
“During that traffic stop, the suspect in the vehicle decided to open fire,” Upkes said. “The officer was struck multiple times.”
The policewoman, who has not been identified, was able to leave the area on her own and then was taken to the hospital.
The shooter fled, abandoning the vehicle just a couple blocks away.
Police responded almost immediately.
The Oregon State Police, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department and police from the nearby towns of Woodburn and Hubbard joined the search for the gunman, Upkes said.
“There were cops everywhere, at least 25 cars here, three SWAT trucks, the bomb squad and that RV thing,” said Luke Slaughter, a local resident. “We didn’t know what was going on.”
Police with dogs and a SWAT team searched for four hours but couldn’t find the gunman, Upkes said. After they stood down, detectives got leads and tracked the suspected gunman to the same apartment complex where he had abandoned the van. Around 5 a.m., the SWAT team was called back and surrounded the apartment. A nearby elementary school was ordered closed for Wednesday as a precaution.
Slaughter heard police negotiators call out to the suspect on a loudspeaker, saying they knew he was in there and using his name.
“They got him out quietly without any more casualties,” Slaughter said.
Upkes said the suspect is in custody, facing charges including aggravated attempted murder. He has not been identified.
The policewoman was treated for several gunshot wounds and released from the hospital. Upkes said her bulletproof vest may have helped save her.
