Reedsport, Ore. – The Douglas County District Attorney’s office has approved the release of the name and status of the person involved in Tuesday’s vehicle fire and Officer Involved Shooting.
Investigators have identified the man driving the blue Subaru as ROBERT J. JENKINS, 55, of Roseburg. JENKINS was transported to Lower Umpqua Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 6:51 P.M., on December 23, 2014.
The investigation is ongoing and members of the media are reminded that any additional information released will be made through the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.
*** Second release ***
The Douglas County Major Crimes Team is continuing the investigation into Tuesday morning’s incident on HWY 101 at milepost 215, about 2 miles south of Reedsport near Winchester Bay.
On Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at approximately 9:00 A.M., a blue 2003 Subaru 4-door station wagon was southbound on HWY 101 and passed a school bus without passengers. The Subaru is believed to have been the subject of multiple driving complaints to area dispatch centers around the same time. Within a mile or two of being passed the bus driver pulled over to assist the Subaru, which was stopped in the southbound lane of travel and on fire. As the bus driver approached with a fire extinguisher he saw a man armed with a handgun and fled. The bus driver backed away from the Subaru and summoned help.
A short time later, an off-duty investigator (officer) from the Oregon Department of Justice stopped to assist and also contacted the subject in the Subaru. Moments later, an officer from the Reedsport Police Department and two Douglas County Sheriffs Deputies arrived and contacted the subject. At some point during the contact the Reedsport Police Officer fired at the operator of the Subaru; striking and critically injuring him. He was transported by ambulance to Lower Umpqua Hospital in Reedsport.
Officers at the scene reported hearing small explosions as the vehicle burned and summoned the OSP Explosives Unit for assistance. Traffic was detoured around the scene while investigators waited. Explosive Technicians believe the small explosions were likely aerosol cans and possibly ammunition – not incendiary devices. OSP Arson detectives are assisting with the investigation into the fire.
The names of the involved officer and subject are not available for release at this time.
The Douglas County Major Crimes Team, comprising the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department and OSP is investigating the incident with OSP designated the lead investigative agency. This investigation is being conducted pursuant to Senate Bill 111 protocols already in place. As is typical during these kinds of investigations the involved officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending its completion. The Douglas County District Attorney’s office is overseeing the investigation and has requested all media inquires be directed to them.
Also assisting at the scene was the Oregon Department of Transportation, Reedsport Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.
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