According to a press release issued by the Oregon State Police on FlashAlert, a Pendleton Police Officer stopped a car near the corner of SW Quinney Ave and SW 41st Street for a traffic violation on March 10, 2017, at approximately 3:30 p.m. Soon after stopping the car, the officer radioed that a shot had been fired.
Officers from the Pendleton Police Department and the Oregon State Police responded to scene. An attempt was made to establish contact with the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. The driver was unresponsive to police commands and officers could see inside the vehicle. Officers observed that the driver was suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The driver was removed from the vehicle and officers began rendering medical care until the arrival of Pendleton Emergency Medical Service personnel. The driver was taken to St. Anthony Hospital and died while receiving care at the hospital.
The deceased driver has been identified as a 36 year old male from Pendleton. The name of the deceased male will be released pending notification of next of kin. The name of the involved officer will be released pending authorization by the Pendleton Police Department.
No other information will be released pending completion of the initial investigation.