On the evening of 04/06/2023 shortly prior to midnight, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist the Eugene/Springfield Fire Department with a combative male at a residence in the 88400blk of Fisher Rd. Family members of the involved male had advised that he was extremely intoxicated. They said he can be combative when intoxicated and needed to go to the hospital. As deputies were enroute, it was learned that the involved male had been previously arrested for menacing with a knife. Deputies arrived on scene and contacted the male at the residence. The male was holding what appeared to be a firearm in one of his hands. A deputy told the male multiple times to drop the weapon. The male then raised the weapon and advanced towards the deputy at which time the deputy fired his firearm, striking the male. Deputies immediately called for assistance and began administering life-saving measures. Despite these efforts, the male did not survive. The weapon that the male had raised was discovered to be a realistic-looking pellet gun designed to resemble a handgun. No deputies or medical personnel were physically injured during the incident. The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on traumatic event leave as is standard protocol in deadly force incidents. The Lane County Interagency Deadly Force Investigation Team responded and is investigating the incident. This team is comprised of investigators from numerous outside agencies and overseen by the Lane County District Attorney’s Office. The Lane County District Attorney’s Office will release additional details as they become available.
