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News Release

03-10-23 District Attorney Holds Press Conference For Officer-Involved Shooting (Photo) - 03/10/23

Douglas County District Attorney, Richard L. Wesenberg

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 10, 2023

 

District Attorney Holds Press Conference for Officer-Involved Shooting

 

               (Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County District Attorney Rick Wesenberg held a press conference today, Friday, March 10, 2023, to discuss the officer-involved shooting that occurred on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at the temporary Warming Center housed in the Roseburg Senior Center located at 1614 SE Stephens Street in Roseburg, Oregon.  He was joined by Roseburg Chief of Police Gary Klopfenstein, Douglas County Sheriff’s Detective Lieutenant Kelley Bean and Chief Deputy District Attorney Allison Eichman.  The press conference was held inside the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Roseburg, Oregon.

                

               Douglas County District Attorney Wesenberg provided a detailed account of the events leading up to the officer-involved shooting of the suspect, 20-year-old Mia Tulasi Dasa (aka: Benjamin Emptage) of Grants Pass, Oregon.  Wesenberg’s presentation cited that immediately after the event, the Douglas County Major Crimes Team (MCT) was activated.  The MCT, under the direction and supervision of Douglas County Sheriff’s Detective Lieutenant Kelley Bean, conducted an immediate, thorough and exhaustive investigation into the events that ultimately led to the shooting. Subsequently, on Thursday, March 9, 2023 the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office convened a grand jury to conduct its own investigation.  The grand jury investigation, led by Chief Deputy District Attorney Allison Eichmann, was thorough and exhaustive. After careful and thorough deliberation, the grand jury concluded that the use of deadly physical force by the officer-involved was justified. 

 

               “Not only was it justified, based on the deliberate and intentional actions of Dasa, it was simply unavoidable,” stated DA Wesenberg.  “The six officers, these six men: Jerry De Lu Fuente, Brayden Wimberly, Paxton Shinn, Kyle Fields, Cameron Derrick and Ryan Dingman, reacted with profound skill, professionalism and restraint.  They literally used every potential tool, every potential technique from their extensive training and experience to bring this situation to a peaceful resolution.  It was not to be.  Officer De la Fuentes carried himself with the profound restraint and savvy decision making of a veteran officer.  Chief Klopfenstein is to be commended for his sharply professional and skilled force that protects the City of Roseburg.”

 

               After his presentation, DA Wesenberg introduced Roseburg Chief of Police Gary Klopfenstein, who stated, “The call at the Warming Center was a call that no law enforcement officer wants to respond to.  Our officers swiftly responded to the call for service, made sure the citizens at the center were out of harm’s way and tried their best to deescalate the situation. Officers exhausted virtually every tool before they were compelled to use deadly force.  Any loss of life is tragic, but the courageous actions of the responding officers prevented a horrible situation from becoming even more tragic.  I want to publicly say how proud I am of our officers and how they conducted themselves in this investigation.”

 

               DA Wesenberg ended with commendations for the collaborative efforts of everyone involved in the incident including: 

Douglas County Sheriff’s Detective Lieutenant Kelley Bean, the entire Douglas County MCT that includes members from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department and the Oregon State Police, for their precise, thorough and complete investigation of this matter.  He also thanked the men and women of the Douglas County Grand Jury, who were summoned away from their families and work for this specific service.  He recognized Chief Deputy District Attorney Allison Eichmann for her expertise in preparing and presenting this case.  Lastly, he acknowledged and thanked our three Douglas County Commissioners for prioritizing public safety, and because of that, he and Sheriff Hanlin have the resources they need to field these incredible teams to protect the people of Douglas County. 

 

               Citizens can view a recording of the live-streamed press conference on the Douglas County eGovernment Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment. 

###

 

Contact: Tamara Howell, Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | (541) 670-2804 cell | (541) 957-4896 office | tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Attached Media Files: Chief Klopfenstein, DA Wesenberg,

03-10-23 District Attorney Holds Press Conference For Officer-Involved Shooting (Photo) - 03/10/23

Douglas County District Attorney, Richard L. Wesenberg

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 10, 2023

 

District Attorney Holds Press Conference for Officer-Involved Shooting

 

               (Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County District Attorney Rick Wesenberg held a press conference today, Friday, March 10, 2023, to discuss the officer-involved shooting that occurred on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at the temporary Warming Center housed in the Roseburg Senior Center located at 1614 SE Stephens Street in Roseburg, Oregon.  He was joined by Roseburg Chief of Police Gary Klopfenstein, Douglas County Sheriff’s Detective Lieutenant Kelley Bean and Chief Deputy District Attorney Allison Eichman.  The press conference was held inside the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Roseburg, Oregon.

                

               Douglas County District Attorney Wesenberg provided a detailed account of the events leading up to the officer-involved shooting of the suspect, 20-year-old Mia Tulasi Dasa (aka: Benjamin Emptage) of Grants Pass, Oregon.  Wesenberg’s presentation cited that immediately after the event, the Douglas County Major Crimes Team (MCT) was activated.  The MCT, under the direction and supervision of Douglas County Sheriff’s Detective Lieutenant Kelley Bean, conducted an immediate, thorough and exhaustive investigation into the events that ultimately led to the shooting. Subsequently, on Thursday, March 9, 2023 the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office convened a grand jury to conduct its own investigation.  The grand jury investigation, led by Chief Deputy District Attorney Allison Eichmann, was thorough and exhaustive. After careful and thorough deliberation, the grand jury concluded that the use of deadly physical force by the officer-involved was justified. 

 

               “Not only was it justified, based on the deliberate and intentional actions of Dasa, it was simply unavoidable,” stated DA Wesenberg.  “The six officers, these six men: Jerry De Lu Fuente, Brayden Wimberly, Paxton Shinn, Kyle Fields, Cameron Derrick and Ryan Dingman, reacted with profound skill, professionalism and restraint.  They literally used every potential tool, every potential technique from their extensive training and experience to bring this situation to a peaceful resolution.  It was not to be.  Officer De la Fuentes carried himself with the profound restraint and savvy decision making of a veteran officer.  Chief Klopfenstein is to be commended for his sharply professional and skilled force that protects the City of Roseburg.”

 

               After his presentation, DA Wesenberg introduced Roseburg Chief of Police Gary Klopfenstein, who stated, “The call at the Warming Center was a call that no law enforcement officer wants to respond to.  Our officers swiftly responded to the call for service, made sure the citizens at the center were out of harm’s way and tried their best to deescalate the situation. Officers exhausted virtually every tool before they were compelled to use deadly force.  Any loss of life is tragic, but the courageous actions of the responding officers prevented a horrible situation from becoming even more tragic.  I want to publicly say how proud I am of our officers and how they conducted themselves in this investigation.”

 

               DA Wesenberg ended with commendations for the collaborative efforts of everyone involved in the incident including: 

Douglas County Sheriff’s Detective Lieutenant Kelley Bean, the entire Douglas County MCT that includes members from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department and the Oregon State Police, for their precise, thorough and complete investigation of this matter.  He also thanked the men and women of the Douglas County Grand Jury, who were summoned away from their families and work for this specific service.  He recognized Chief Deputy District Attorney Allison Eichmann for her expertise in preparing and presenting this case.  Lastly, he acknowledged and thanked our three Douglas County Commissioners for prioritizing public safety, and because of that, he and Sheriff Hanlin have the resources they need to field these incredible teams to protect the people of Douglas County. 

 

               Citizens can view a recording of the live-streamed press conference on the Douglas County eGovernment Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment. 

###

 

Contact: Tamara Howell, Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | (541) 670-2804 cell | (541) 957-4896 office | tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Attached Media Files: Chief Klopfenstein, DA Wesenberg,