VIDEO REPORT: Gunman Dies Following Shootout with Police in Silverton RV Park

Another tragic shooting by a man reportedly armed with multiple firearms.

Photos and video by Jerry Freeman

(SILVERTON, OR) - 911 callers reported an armed man firing at people in a Silverton RV park at approximately 1:49 p.m., according to a press release issued by the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Jason Meyers

The calls to The Willamette Valley Dispatch Center came from the residents at the Silver Spur RV Park, 12622 Silverton Road NE, west of Silverton.

They reported that a man carrying several firearms was walking through the park, randomly shooting at people and RVs. One caller was able to confirm at that point that at least one person was hit by gunfire.

The shooter was described as an adult male carrying two handguns and a rifle. Callers continued to provide call-takers with the shooter's movements. This information was forwarded to Marion County deputies as they responded. Officers from Silverton PD, Keizer PD and troopers from the Oregon State Police also responded to assist. The first units arrived on the scene within minutes of the first call. They located the shooter perched behind a picnic table on a small hill in the southwest part of the park. Upon seeing the deputies, the shooter fired his rifle at them; one MCSO deputy returned fire, according to Don Thomson, the Marion County Sheriff's Public Information Officer. As this exchange began, Medics were requested to "stage" nearby in case more victims were located and needed treatment.

Silver Spur RV Park west of Silverton

Minutes later, two OSP troopers arrived at the scene; they were immediately fired upon by the shooter; both troopers returned fire. During these exchanges with law enforcement, the shooter was hit by at least one law enforcement round. He was life-flighted to the Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland where he later died from his wounds. The name of the shooter is being withheld until the sheriff's office can make family notifications.

Thomson says no information was available as to the type of firearms used by the shooter, or how many shots the shooter or law enforcement officers fired. Deputies then checked the entire RV park for victims. One male adult male was initially treated at the Silverton Hospital, but he has since been transferred to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. His condition was listed as stable. The name of the victim is being withheld at this time until family notifications can be made. Initial reports that there was a second female victim of the shooter were found to be inaccurate. Thomson says investigators have spoken to her and confirmed she was not injured, but she did witness the incident.

This shooting remains an active investigation, and due to the law enforcement involvement, it will be conducted according to the Marion County SB 111 protocols - Keizer PD will be the lead investigative agency. Representatives from the Marion County District Attorney's Office responded to the scene to assist investigators. Marion County Sheriff Jason Myers and Undersheriff Troy Clausen also responded to the scene. In a 5:00 p.m. media briefing held at the Silverton Fire Department, Sheriff Myers expressed his appreciation for the work of all of the officers: "These active shooter calls are very difficult situations. Law enforcement personnel must act quickly and decisively to make decisions that have long term implications. My initial review leads me to believe that our Deputies, the OSP Troopers and responding agencies did a remarkable job. As a result of their courageous work, the Silverton community can rest a little easier tonight". The names of the law enforcement personnel involved are being withheld at this time. They were placed on paid administrative leave consistent with SB 111 policy. Silverton Road was temporarily closed between the city and Brush Creek Road. It was reopened to traffic at about 6:00 p.m. The RV park is still being processed as a crime scene and will remain under control of the investigators until the on-scene work is completed.

Source: Marion County Sheriff's Office

Video report by Jerry Freeman