The individual who was fatally shot by law enforcement in Clackamas County on Monday night was reportedly identified as a homicide suspect. The suspect had allegedly committed a murder at a store in Southeast Portland the day before.
New details into the deadly officer-involved shooting from earlier this week were released by the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday.
A shooting occurred at a store located on Southeast Foster Road around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Upon arrival, law enforcement officials discovered the lifeless body of Zachery Freeman, 29, who had sustained a gunshot injury.
KATU stated to his family member on Wednesday that “The thing I miss the most about him is every time we did some family event, he was always the light of the party,” said Freeman’s brother, Isaac Wilson. “[He] brought love, joy, peace, always wanted to be out doing something, couldn’t stay home for five minutes, always wanted to be out hiking or whatever it was.”
The family stated that they are currently awaiting further information regarding the events leading up to the shooting.
According to Portland Police Bureau detectives, Jack Watson, who is 20 years old, has been identified as a suspect in Freeman’s murder.
At approximately 10:40 p.m. on Monday, Portland Police officers observed a vehicle that resembled the car that fled following the fatal shooting on Foster Road.
According to reports, the police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver, who was later identified as Watson, evaded them by driving towards the south on Southeast 82nd Avenue and entering Clackamas County. The car was stopped by law enforcement using spike strips and a PIT maneuver.
According to the district attorney’s office, a handgun was retrieved by Watson who proceeded to shoot at the police from his vehicle. According to reports, shots were exchanged between two Portland Police officers and a Clackamas County sheriff’s deputy.
According to reports, Watson was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Clackamas County DA stated that “Due to the speed at which the event unfolded, the opportunity for de-escalation and less than lethal options did not present itself.”
The officers involved in the incident have been put on administrative leave. The names will be released at a later date, according to the authorities.