The suspect in the Lents Neighborhood incident is identified as Joshua W. Degerness, 39, of Portland. On Wednesday, December 15, 2021 he was released from the hospital and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Attempt to Elude (vehicle).
The case is still under investigation and no further information is being released at this time. If anyone has information about this incident they’re asked to contact Detective Mike Jones Michael.Jones@portlandoregon.gov or Detective Travis Law Travis.Law@portlandoregon.gov 503-823-0395.
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The officers involved in the Lents Neighborhood incident are Sergeant Norman Staples, an 18-year veteran of the Portland Police Bureau assigned to East Precinct, and Officer Kenneth Jackson, a 6-year veteran assigned to the Specialized Resources Division. They are on administrative leave during the investigation.
The identity of the suspect will be released after he is charged. He remains in police custody at the hospital.
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The suspect who was believed to be armed was taken into custody and transported to the hospital with injuries.
On Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 7:51p.m., East Precinct officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Southeast 92nd Avenue and Southeast Schiller Street. The suspect eluded the officers. An intervention technique was used on the vehicle, causing it to crash at Southeast Holgate Boulevard and Southeast 88th Avenue. At some point during the incident, shots were fired. Officers began negotiating with the suspect attempting to convince him to surrender. The suspect was reportedly armed, so SERT and CNT were called out. After lengthy negotiation, at about 10:00p.m., the suspect was taken into custody and transported to the hospital by ambulance. The suspect, an adult male, is expected to recover from injuries.
Residents of the neighborhood are no longer being asked to stay inside, however Southeast Holgate Boulevard will remain closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic during the investigation. If anyone has information about this incident they’re asked to contact Detective Mike Jones Michael.Jones@portlandoregon.gov or Detective Travis Law Travis.Law@portlandoregon.gov 503-823-0395.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Investigators are expected to be here for several hours collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. Additional information will be released at the direction of investigators.
As part of the use of force review process, the Bureau will conduct an internal review of the entire incident, including the initial response, resources requested, tactics used, and post shooting actions. The case will go before the Police Review Board (PRB), which is composed of community members, Bureau members, and representatives from the Independent Police Review Division.
The Portland Police Bureau 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. Information available about past officer-involved shootings can be found here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/76940 .
Photo description: Several police cars are parked behind a crashed sedan
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The Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) are responding to the Lents Neighborhood after an officer involved shooting. No officers are reporting injuries. CNT negotiators are communicating with a reportedly armed suspect barricaded in a vehicle. Southeast Holgate Boulevard is closed between Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast 92nd Avenue. Residents in the area are being asked to stay inside their homes.
The PIO is responding to the scene. More information will be released when appropriate.
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