On July 17, 2022, at 12:43 p.m., Union County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a business, Bullseye Muzzleloaders and More, located in Island City, Oregon for the report of a business burglary. Law enforcement later cleared the scene. At approximately 2:27 p.m. Law enforcement was summoned to the same business as the reporting party was describing three people wearing gloves and masks approaching the business. While law enforcement was responding to the scene, it was learned that an employee of the business confronted the suspects. During this confrontation, shots were fired. The vehicle fled the scene and sheriff’s deputies immediately located and started pursuing the vehicle. During the course of the pursuit, occupants in the suspect vehicle fired rounds at the pursuing law enforcement vehicles, which ultimately disabled one patrol vehicle. An Oregon State Police Trooper was set up for a spike strip deployment and upon learning of the active shooting situation, he engaged the suspects and suspect vehicle by discharging his duty weapon as they came by his location. The vehicle continued and Troopers were able to successfully spike the vehicle, which ultimately came to a stop on Indian Creek Road near Rinehart Lane. The three suspects fled from the vehicle into the dense brush and vegetation. As a result, additional law enforcement was called to the scene and a perimeter was set up. The Northeast Oregon Regional SWAT Team and the Oregon State Police SWAT Team responded to the area and ultimately located and arrested two suspects in the late evening hours. The third suspect was not located and is still outstanding as of this release. The Union County Sheriff’s Office, the La Grande Police Department, and the Oregon State Police are continuing their investigation into the initial burglary as well as the Officer Involved Shooting and more charges and arrests are anticipated. The suspects were taken to the Union County Jail by Deputies and lodged on the following charges: Ashtin Clay Romine (26) of Clarkston, Wa. Assault I; Reckless Driving; Fleeing or Attempting to Elude. Jessica Lyn Spalinger (31) of Walla Walla, Wa, Assault I; Reckless Driving; Fleeing or Attempting to Elude. The La Grande Police Department at the request of the Oregon State Police, and in compliance with the Union County Deadly Force Plan will be conducting the Officer Involved Shooting Investigation. The Oregon State Trooper involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave per department policy pending the outcome of the investigation. Law enforcement was assisted on the scene by members of the La Grande Fire Department, Imbler Quick Response, and the Union County Office of Emergency Management. This is an active investigation by all departments involved. Once the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Union County District Attorney’s Office for any future release of information. Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to call the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677). Reference case number SP22181738.
