Gunman dies after police shootout in Walmart parking lot

A man was shot and killed by Salem Police late Friday after a daylong confrontation in the parking lot of a Walmart Super Center in southeast Salem.

Police did not identify the man or give any details of his injuries, other than to say he was shot.

The man shot at police several times during a seven-hour confrontation, although no officers were injured. Police dog Baco was shot by the man, but was treated and sent home with handler Officer Trevor Morrison.

Salem Police identified the officers involved in the initial incident as: Officers Chad Galusha, Officer Robert Owings, Corporal Tim Dezotell and Officer Morrison. Tactical officers involved in the shooting were identified as Officer Joshua Edmiston, Officer Vincent Dawson and Officer Sean Bennett.

As part of its standard procedure, the Salem Police Department has requested the Oregon State Police to investigate the incident. Also, the investigation will continue in conjunction with the Marion County District Attorney's Office.

Police said the officers directly involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

The shootout and standoff began shortly after 11 a.m when Salem police officers attempted to make contact with a man wanted on arrest warrants, Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada said.

The suspect shot at the officers and wounded police dog Baco. The officers returned fire, and the suspect retreated inside a vehicle in the Walmart parking lot, 1940 Turner Road SE.

The standoff ensued.

During that time police worked to evacuate people from several businesses in the area, while other businesses, including Walmart, were locked down. Reports indicated that customers were allowed to leave Walmart, but employees were still inside as of 4:45 p.m.

Okada said officers on the scene believed the suspect was alone in the vehicle, but it was thought that there may have been a women with him earlier, before the standoff began.

During the standoff the man fired several shots at police from inside the bus, while police shot several rounds of tear gas into the vehicle.

Radio reports throughout the ordeal indicated that police talked to the man inside the bus in an attempt to get him to surrender. At times negotiators heard coughing and other noises inside the bus. At other times negotiators lost contact with the man.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police and Portland Police Bureau sent additional tactical officers and equipment to assist in the situation.

SWAT team members eventually used armored vehicles equipped with battering rams to rip into the bus and flush the man out. Throughout the standoff, according to radio reports, police officers were authorized to shoot the man if they had a clear shot.

At 6:28 p.m. police did shoot, and the man fell to the ground outside the bus, where he was taken into custody and whisked away to waiting medics.

The bus, now a torn-up mess, remained parked in the south parking lot of the Walmart, where it was surrounded by police cars and SWAT vehicles.

Cassie Sarff, who works at the Taco Del Mar on Turner Road, said the manager of the restaurant advised them to close up and head home after learning of the altercation.

Sarff said she opened the back door of the restaurant to get a better look.

"There were like 50 officers around the RV," she said. "It's pretty scary."

She said she has a young daughter and that she would rather be at home with her where it's safe.

Destiny Harper-Korthals, who works at the nearby Advantage Dental, said their office was in lockdown.

"I was afraid that the guy was on the loose," she said.

Harper-Korthals said the whole experience was scary.

"We heard gunshots," she said. "I've never experienced anything like that at work."

Advantage Dental closed for the day and sent their employees home.

Employees of the Lowe's located off Mission Street were also given the option to go home, but the store remained open to the public.

At one point at Walmart, about 100 customers and employees were locked inside, said spokeswoman Betsy Harden, but the mood was calm.

Harden spoke with the Statesman Journal via telephone from Arkansas.

Harden emphasized that the lockdown was ordered by police as a precaution, and that no one inside the store was involved with the standoff.