Members of the Portland Police Bureau Detective Division's Homicide Detail, East County Major Crimes Team, and Multnomah County District Attorney's Office continue to investigate Wednesday morning's hostage situation and officer-involved shooting in Southeast Portland.
The suspect who held a woman hostage yesterday and was shot by an officer during the attempted negotiation has been identified as 30-year-old Samuel E. Rice of Portland. The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office determined Rice died of a gunshot wound.
The Portland Police Bureau member involved in the shooting is Officer Kelly VanBlokland, a 24-year-veteran of the Police Bureau, who is currently assigned to the Training Division and detached member of the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT). VanBlokland will remain on paid administrative leave, as is standard procedure, until the conclusion of the investigation.
At this time, investigators have learned the Police Bureau has previously contacted Rice multiple times and recently the Police Bureau's Behavioral Health Unit attempted to link Rice and his girlfriend to services. Although Rice had declined the Behavioral Health Unit's assistance, the officers provided Rice's care providers with information about his recent behavior. Officers have transported Rice to area hospitals on multiple occasions in the past for treatment of perceived mental illness.
This remains an active, ongoing investigation and the Police Bureau is dedicated to releasing information regarding major incidents in a fashion that will provide the community with information about the incident as well as ensure information is properly shared so as not to interfere with the investigation and the Multnomah County District Attorney's Grand Jury process.
Additional information regarding this case will be released pending a review by a grand jury, which is tentatively scheduled for mid to late November.
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On Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at 9:11 a.m., East Precinct officers responded to the area near the Del Rancho Motel, located at 7622 Southeast 82nd Avenue, on the report of two people fighting.
When officers arrived they learned one of the suspects reportedly involved in the fight was armed with a knife and had attempted to stab another person. As officers investigated the incident, they determined a person matching the suspect's description entered a room at the Del Rancho Motel.
Officers responded to the Del Rancho Motel and learned the suspect was in a room at the motel holding a woman hostage. As officers attempted to contact the suspect, the suspect threatened the life of the woman that was inside the motel room.
Members of the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) responded to assist with the incident. At some point during the incident, an officer fired a shot, striking and killing the suspect.
Portland Police Homicide Detectives, assisted by the East County Major Crimes Team and Multnomah County District Attorney's Office are continuing this shooting investigation.
"No police officer wants to use lethal force, and it is with great responsibility that we accept this authority," said Chief Danielle Outlaw. "That is why we have a robust investigative and review process to ensure responsible transparency. We know the community wants to understand what occurred and we will release information as soon as appropriate. However, we ask for patience as these investigations take time and we need to ensure we protect the integrity of the investigation."
The investigation is in its early stages and additional information will be released as the investigation continues and more information is learned.
The identity of the deceased suspect and any involved Bureau member will be released at a later time. Per Bureau policy, the involved officer(s) will remain on paid administrative leave until the completion of the investigation and Grand Jury.
Following the Grand Jury, the Bureau may release additional information as appropriate. The officers will be interviewed by investigators within 48 hours.
As part of the use of force review process, the Bureau will conduct an internal review of the entire incident and the case will go before the Police Review Board (PRB), which is comprised of community members, Bureau members and representatives from the Independent Police Review Division.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. The Portland Police Bureau's directive outlining the procedures followed after an officer involved shooting may be found at https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/656780
Once the entire investigation and legal process is complete, the investigative files and any grand jury transcripts will be posted on the Bureau's Open Data page and can be found here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/52175
Anyone with information about this investigation should contact contact Portland Police Bureau Homicide Detail Detective Scott Broughton at 503-823-3774 or Scott.Broughton@portlandoregon.gov or Detective Rico Beniga at 503-823-0457 or Rico.Beniga@portlandoregon.gov
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This incident has resulted in an officer-involved shooting. The suspect is deceased and no other people were injured.
The area will remain closed to all traffic for several hours due to the ongoing investigation.
PIO Sgt. Chris Burley will brief media as soon as practicable.
No additional details are available at this time.
###ORIGINAL MESSAGE BELOW###
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The Portland Police Bureau's Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) are responding to assist East Precinct officers with a disturbance involving an armed subject at the Del Rancho Motel, located at 7622 Southeast 82nd Avenue.
All through traffic on Southeast 82nd Avenue is closed between Flavel and Harney Street.
Interested media should stage on on 82nd Avenue at Flavel Street.
The Acting Public Information Officer (PIO) is responding to the scene and will update media as soon as practicable.
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