x
Breaking News
More () »

Armed robbery suspect shot, killed by Keizer police

A witness says he saw police tell the suspect to drop his weapon and then fired at the suspect.

On the KGW News app? Tap for multimedia article

KEIZER, Ore. -- An armed robbery suspect was shot and killed by Keizer police Wednesday night.

The deceased was identified by Oregon State Police on Thursday morning as 26-year-old Ryan Chapman of Salem.

At around 6 p.m., officers were called to the robbery at a Pizza Hut at 4492 River Rd. N. The suspect fled in a vehicle and a pursuit began, according to Oregon State Police.

The suspect crashed into another vehicle near Chemawa Road Northeast and Springtime Court and then fled on foot.

The female driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries; she was treated and released at a local hospital.

Credit: Katherine Cook
Witnesses say the driver of the red car tried to flee police after crashing. They say the driver was shot by police

Chris Stahl was making a delivery when the chaos ensued.

"I saw that car just flying in my mirror, passing everyone. He was just driving recklessly," Stahl said.

After the suspect fled, OSP said a confrontation occurred and a Keizer police officer fired his gun, killing the suspect.

WATCH: Video from a neighbor of officer-involved shooting in Keizer (Warning: Language)

The officer was identified Thursday morning as Officer Tyler Wampler. He has been with the department since January 1992. Names of other officers at the scene are not being released at this time.

As is standard procedure, Wampler has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation.

Neighbor Danny Wold was having dinner with his family when police arrived.

"Then we saw their guns pulled and saw them yell, 'Drop your weapon!' and we heard some sirens," Wold said. "And then the next thing we heard gunshots."

No officers were injured, in what neighbors described as a highly unusual and distressing event on their street.

"Keizer, K town, is such a quiet little town and for something like that to go down that quickly, I mean I’m glad to know that we’re that protected. Because that was immediate response from everybody," said Marilyn Lasseigne.

OSP is the lead investigating agency, for the officer-involved shooting.

Before You Leave, Check This Out