Washington Man Takes Own Life after Standoff with Oregon Police

If you or someone you know needs help with suicidal thoughts or is otherwise in an immediate mental health crisis, HELP is available.

Oregon State Police, with the assistance of Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and Bend Police Department, are investigating the death of an adult male following a standoff Saturday during a stop along Highway 20W between Sisters and Bend. Salem-News.com File Photo

(SISTERS, Ore. ) - Oregon State Police, with the assistance of Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and Bend Police Department, are investigating the death of an adult male following a standoff Saturday during a stop along Highway 20W between Sisters and Bend.

The Vancouver, Washington man was stopped following a report from a law enforcement agency that he was suicidal and armed.

At approximately 8:40 p.m., Oregon State Police and the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, were notified that a black sport utility vehicle occupied by an armed, suicidal man was traveling eastbound on Highway 20 in the Santiam Pass area.

About 15 minutes later, an OSP sergeant spotted the vehicle and followed it while other officers from OSP and DCSO were moving into position east of Sisters to assist with stopping the vehicle.

The vehicle sped up to 90 to 100 mph before finally stopping at approximately 9:06 p.m. near milepost 12 after DCSO deployed spike strips on the vehicle.

The driver failed to comply with any commands as additional law enforcement resources including Oregon State Police SWAT personnel, a Bend Police Department negotiator, and an armored vehicle responded to the scene.

Law enforcement officers closed the highway in both directions as they worked to safely resolve the situation.

At approximately 10:10 p.m., officers were able to check the vehicle and found the lone occupant deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The deceased was identified as 51-year-old Farhad Masheri, from Vancouver, Washington.

Deschutes County Medical Examiner is assisting OSP in the death investigation.

Help is available in your local communities for people struggling from a mental health crisis and/or suicidal thoughts. Suicide is preventable.

If you or someone you know needs help with suicidal thoughts or is otherwise in an immediate mental health crisis, professionals are on call to handle mental health emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Oregon Partnership Lifeline/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

Toll free phone: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Hopeline Network:

Toll free phone: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Source: Oregon State Police