Explosive Situation in Bandon, Nov. 5

A 65-year old Bandon male was shot and killed by law enforcement officers Saturday morning, Nov. 3, south of the coastal Coos County community.  According to a news release from R. Paul Frasier, Robert Charles Foster contacted authorities about 11:30 a.m. and “indicated that he had explosive material in his possession and threatened to set off an explosion.”  Foster was located in a pickup truck parked behind the Faith Baptist Church on Hwy. 101.  He was armed with a shotgun. “The officers called for additional officers to assist on scene.”  An acquaintance of Foster’s reported he had observed “milk jugs that Mr. Foster claimed were filled with gasoline.”  He added “there was a full propane tank in the back of the truck inside a plastic trash can.”  A drone fly-over verified the presence of the objects.  Foster refused to cooperate or surrender to a negotiator.  He exited his vehicle at approximately 3:30 p.m. armed with a shotgun and an unlit flare.  “At approximately 3:58 p.m., Mr. Foster then pointed the shotgun in the direction of the officers and fired one round.”  No one was hit, officers returned fire.  “Mr. Foster was fatally wounded and was declared dead on the scene.”  Six officers, two from the Oregon State Police, two from the Sheriff’s Office and one each from North Bend PD and Coquille PD have been placed on paid leave, “as is customary, according to Frasier.  Back on Oct. 11, Foster reportedly attempted to hang himself from the Coquille River Bridge but was prevented by police who tackled him on the bridge.  He went to a local hospital for mental evaluation and was eventually released.  Frasier adds “that Mr. Foster was considering suicide and was also considering ‘suicide by cop.’” The Coos Bay Police Dept. has been assigned to lead the investigation into the shooting the events leading up.  Frasier says they will be assisted by members of the Douglas County Major Crime Team, Coquille Tribal Police, Confederated Tribal Police and Bandon Police Dept.