Deputy Involved Shooting - Use of Deadly Physical Force Investigation

Investigators would like anyone with information to contact Keizer Police Department Detective Tim Lathrop at 503-390-3713 Ext. 3481.

In accordance with the "Marion County Law Enforcement Use of Deadly Physical Force Response Plan" and under the direction of the Marion County District Attorney's Office, the Keizer Police Department has been appointed as the lead investigative agency responsible for the investigation of the deputy involved shooting that occurred on Friday, April 26, 2013 at approximately 7:42 a.m. in southeast Salem. The incident occurred along the east shoulder of Sunnyside Road SE just north of the intersection of the Illahee crossing overpass at Interstate 5.

The objective of this media release is to share accurate and factual information that can be released without harming the integrity of the ongoing criminal investigation and any Grand Jury proceedings that may follow.

Investigators continue to conduct their investigation of yesterday's use of deadly physical force by the Marion County deputy and they are working cooperatively with the City of Tigard Police Department and the Edmonds (Washington) Police Department to identify and investigate the events that preceded the Marion County deputies contact with the suspect early yesterday morning.

Prior to issuance of this media release, a previous release was issued by the Marion County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer, Don Thomson on Friday, April 26th. That media release stated Marion County deputies were called upon to check the welfare of a man reportedly slumped over in the seat of a parked vehicle in southeast Salem. The subsequent investigation has revealed two deputies were dispatched at 7:09 a.m. on a possible drunk driver who was reportedly "weaving all over" the road while the complainant followed him while reporting the incident to 911. While the deputies were responding to investigate the incident the complainant reported the driver of the vehicle, a silver 2006 Acura TL sedan with Oregon license plates had parked alongside the roadway and the driver had apparently "passed out."

Both responding deputies arrived at the scene a short time thereafter where they found the suspect vehicle remained parked with the driver slumped over the steering wheel. Both deputies made contact with the male driver at which time they began to investigate the incident attempting to positively identify the driver and information about the vehicle he was operating. The driver was the only occupant inside the vehicle at the time deputies made contact with him.

As the deputies continued to investigate this incident the male driver remained seated in the driver's seat. At some point well into their contact with the driver, both deputies stood in close proximity to him and the driver's side of the vehicle at which time the driver brandished a handgun. One deputy fired his duty weapon at the driver who is now considered a criminal suspect. The suspect was shot by the deputy and medical assistance was summoned to the scene. The suspect was then transported to the Salem Hospital for evaluation and treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The number of times the deputy fired his weapon at the armed suspect and the nature of the suspect's injuries are not being released at this time. The deputies were not injured.

The Keizer Police Department is releasing the name and a photograph of the suspect and the name of the Marion County Deputy who shot the armed suspect.

The suspect gunman has been positively identified as 48-year old Michael Kent Wylie, date of birth November 3, 1964. Although unknown to both of the deputies who were investigating the incident, Michael Wylie was an out-of-state fugitive who was operating a vehicle that was being reported as stolen to the Tigard Police Department almost simultaneous to the deputies' contact with the suspect. A no bail caution warrant for parole violation with extradition in all states had been issued for Michael Wylie's arrest on December 21, 2012. The warrant was issued by the offender parole unit in Salt Lake City, Utah. Additionally, the warrant stated Michael Wylie should be considered "armed and dangerous", he had "violent tendencies" and he should be considered an "escape risk."

Michael Wylie was treated and released from the Salem Hospital early Friday afternoon. He has been transported to the Marion County Correctional Facility where he is being held on the extraditable parole violation warrant. Additionally, investigators have charged Michael Wylie with one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon (firearm) and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (convicted felon in possession). Additional charges may be forthcoming as a result of the continuing investigation.

The Marion County Sheriff Deputy who fired his duty weapon striking the suspect has been identified as Deputy Dale Huitt, age 48. Deputy Huitt began his career with the Marion County Sheriff's Office as a Reserve Deputy in 2004 and became a full-time deputy in February of 2006. Deputy Huitt is a Canine Handler assigned to the Enforcement Division. Prior to joining the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Huitt had a 2-year stint with Yamhill County as a Reserve Deputy. Per Oregon Senate Bill 111 (SB 111) and the Marion County Deadly Physical Force Response Plan, Deputy Huitt has been placed on paid administrative leave which is standard procedure when a law enforcement officer or deputy uses deadly physical force.

Reasonable steps were taken to preserve the integrity of the crime scene and to preserve evidence. Investigators did recover a handgun that the suspect is believed to have used to commit the alleged crimes. The vehicle was impounded and will be processed by investigators. The roadway where the incident occurred was closed immediately after the shooting and remained closed until approximately 12:45 p.m. on Friday afternoon while investigators processed the crime scene. Marion County Public Works assisted with the road closures in the immediate vicinity.

Keizer Police Department Detectives are being assisted by members of the Marion County Homicide Assault Response Team (H.A.R.T.) which consists of investigators from the Oregon State Police, Salem Police Department, and the Woodburn Police Department.

Additionally, investigators are working cooperatively with law enforcement officials from the Edmonds (Washington) Police Department and Tigard Police Department as Michael Wylie is suspected of committing crimes within these jurisdictions. The Edmonds Police Department has identified Michael Wylie as a suspect in a home invasion robbery that occurred on April 23, 2013 (Reference Edmonds Police Department Incident #13-1500). The Tigard Police Department has identified Michael Wylie as a suspect in an incident involving one of their officers early Friday morning where an officer engaged in a foot pursuit of him during which time the suspect pointed a firearm at the officer. The Tigard officer sought to locate and was attempting to identify Michael Wylie after he fled from the scene of a traffic crash a short time earlier. Unbeknownst to the investigating officer at the time, the vehicle that was involved in the traffic crash had been reported as stolen to the Seattle Police Department. Additionally, Michael Wylie is suspected of stealing the silver 2006 Acura TL Marion County deputies found him in. Investigators believe Michael Wylie stole the Acura from a private residence in Tigard after he fled from the officer who engaged in the foot pursuit with him.

Investigators would like anyone with information to contact Keizer Police Department Detective Tim Lathrop at 503-390-3713 Ext. 3481.

Further media releases will be coordinated through the Marion County District Attorney's Office or the other agencies who are currently investigating Michael Wylie for incidents that occurred within their jurisdictions.