OF'FICE OF THE STATE

MEDICAL EXAMINER
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CLACKAMAS
STEWARD, Bruce Lee

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CLACKAMAS
15-0306

Summary:
This case, discussed with Deputy State Medical Examiner Dr, Lewman, involves the death of a 34-year-old
Caucasian male who was shot by Sheriff's deputies when he confronted them with a hatchet and large knife.
It appears that,he was shot multiple times and was declared dead at the scene. Dispatch records indicate that
the subject was implicated in a "suicide by cop" threat occurring two days prior to this incident.

lnformation leading to this investigation:

According to Clackamas County dispatch lecords, at approximately 1031 HRS on 2t1512015 someone called 9
-1-1 to report that a man had just stabbed someone and that he also had a gun. The dispatch record ndicated
that the caller was male and that he hung up the phone without providing any further details. Dispatcher's
efforts to call back went unanswered, but the callers' cell phone number was soon associated to a subject and
a 9-1-1 call from 211312015 during which the subject apparently threatened suicide by cop.
According to the dispatch record, numerous larv enforcement personnelwere dispatched to the call, A
coordinated response to the scene was prepared and several of the deputies and officers approached the
rural Colton area home where the subject was located. The dispatch record indicates that law enforcement
personnel encountered the subject outside the residence and that he had a hatchet and what was later found
be a large knife in his hands.

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Deputies challenged the subject, but he did not comply. Rather, the dispatch record indicates that he walfeO
toward the deputies with the hatchet and knife in his hands. Thereafter, several of the deputies shot at the
subject and he collapsed to the ground. The call of shots fired was radioed to dispatch at approximately 1121
HRS on 211512015, according to the dispatch record.
Deputies approached the subject, dragged him several feet away from the hatchet and knife and then secured
his hands behind his back with handcuffs. He was then evaluated and determined to be dead at the scene.
Sheriff's personnel radioed that the subject was deceased at approximately 1 126 HRS on 211512015, per the 9
-1-1 record.

Response and arrival data:

was notified of the death at approximately 1350 HRS by 9-1-1 dispatch and I arrived on scene at
approximately 1451 HRS on 211512015. . Due to the delay in being notified of the death; detectives,
criminalists and a host of supporting police and Sheriff's personnel were already on scene and actively
conducting their investigation when I arrived.
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Scene setting and description:

The scene is a rural single family home property located at the extreme north end of south Wall Street in
'ton. Wall Street is a gravel, one lane road in this area that ends at the driveway leading to the address of
, incident.
The subject is found in a gravel turn out or parking area located on the east side of the driveway leading to the
home. This turnout area is approximately half-way between the start of the driveway (north end of south Wall

Street) and the home itself. The area to the east of the turnout is wooded and the area to the west of the
-nout is a landscaped garden area leading to the front porch of the residence further to the west.
The subject is lying supine on the gravel as described later herein. His head is toward the south, feet
generally north:. A few feet to the north of the subject, on the gravel, is a wooden handled hatchet and a
plastic handled kitchen utility knife similar to a "ginsu" style. A small stain of blood is present on the gravel
near these items as well. A black disposable glove is lying on the gravel a few feet north of the blood stain. A
linear disturbarice in the gravel leading from the subject's position to the area of the blood stain suggests that
the subject was indeed dragged several feet to the north after he collapsed on the gravel.

Decedent position and description:

The subject is lying supine with his hands cuffed behind his back. He is clad in a pair of black boots, gray
cargo pants, green t-shirt, black and white printed t-shirt and a black zipped sweatshirt with hood. The hood is
up and covers much of the subject's head. His face is stained with dry blood.
The subject is centrally warm and distally cool. Livor blanches to moderate pressure and is present on the
posterior aspect of the body. Rigor is noted in the hands and neck. The subject is approximately 71" in height
and weighs approximately 176 pounds. He is a Caucasian male who appears consistent with the age of 34.

A preliminary eamination at the scene reveals numerous defects in the sweatshirt overlying the chest and
abdomen. The garments are stained with blood and it appears that the subject has been shot several times
ference to Dr. Lewman's report is urged for a complete physical description, list of injuries and manner and
r,us of death'in this case.

Relevant

istorical information

At the time of this repoft, the only relevant historical data available to me is the previously noted dispatch
report implying,that the subject may have threatened suicide by cop on2113l2O15.
I had no access to the subject's family or to the law enforcement personnel involved in the shooting incident.

Previous medical history and current medications:

I have no information about the subject's previous medical or mental health conditions or his medication use
history.

lnvestiqators actions

After obtaining several photos and completing a preliminary evaluation of the subject I unlocked and removed
the handcuffs securing his hands behind his back. I transferred these hinged style handcuffs to Sheriff's
Criminalist Hatfield for fudher handling as indicated. I then placed the subject on a clean linen sheet and into
a protective pouch. Thereafter, he was secured to my cot and subsequently transported to the medical
eraminer's office where abbreviated intake piocedures were completed per protocol. Personal effects were
on the subject and/or in his clothing pending examination by Dr. Lewman.

Familv notification and disposition plan:

Sheriff's Detective Tenvay and Captain Rhodes have interviewed the subject's mother. She has selected

Bateman Carroll Funeral Service in Gresham to assist wifh funeralarrangements.

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.,rnclusion and follow up plan:

Sheriff's investigators are continuing to evaluate and gather details about this incident and the subject.
Reference to Sheriff's case # j5-4545 is urged for details.
I have no further information to add to this report at this tme. lf furlher information becomes available it will be
added in a supplemental report.