GRESHAM, Ore. — Police have identified Portland resident Roman Ivan Kokhanevych, 24, as the man shot and killed by police in Gresham after a bank robbery and car chase Tuesday afternoon.
Police shot and killed Kokhanevych on Tuesday after he led a chase allegedly shot at officers during the pursuit. Police said he was believed to be linked to additional recent bank robberies in the Portland metro area.
The two officers who opened fire were identified in a Thursday news release Thursday as Gresham Police Ofc. Mark Smith, a 31-year law enforcement veteran, and Multnomah County Dep. Chad Phifer, a 22-year law enforcement veteran.
An earlier news release also identified Haley Hop, 33, as a suspected accomplice in the bank robbery. Hop was charged with first and second-degree robbery, police said.
At 4:40 p.m. Tuesday, officers were called to an armed robbery at the KeyBank near Southeast Burnside Street and East Powell Boulevard in Gresham, Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese told reporters during a Tuesday evening news conference.
Reese said the suspect, described as a white male, fled in a car with a female accomplice, later identified as Hop. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) and Gresham police responded and a chase ensued.
The suspects reportedly led officers to Troutdale then returned to Gresham and ended up on Northwest Civic Drive in the area of Gresham Station Shopping Center. Reese said the suspect shot at officers multiple times during the chase.
A driver who asked to remain anonymous told KGW she was driving near the Columbia Gorge Outlets mall in Troutdale at the time and witnessed police deploying spike strips on the opposite side of the street shortly before the suspect's vehicle arrived.
"This white car starts heading over the median, the cement median, from the opposite side, and starts heading toward me in my lane head on," she said. "No cops behind him, no police officers, just this person. I start hitting my horn as loud as I can, as long as I can, he comes right up to me and gets back on the median and missed my car by easily 5 feet."
At one point, the suspect and the accomplice got out of the vehicle and carjacked another vehicle, Reese said.
Ofc. Mark Smith and Dep. Chad Phifer opened fire, killing the suspect. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Hop was arrested without further incident, according to police. The carjacking victim was not hurt.
The incident led to a lengthy closure of Northwest Civic Drive near the Gresham Station Shopping Center while police investigated the scene. Gresham police announced the roads had reopened and all TriMet service had been restored just after 1 p.m. Wednesday.
The deputy and officer who discharged their weapons were placed on critical incident leave, which is standard protocol.
The East Multnomah County Major Crimes Team is leading the investigation. The team is comprised of Gresham police, MCSO, Oregon State Police, FBI, Port of Portland Police and the district attorney's office.
Police believe there may be other victims involved in traffic crashes during the incident who have not yet been contacted by law enforcement, according to the news release.
Anyone who may have witnessed the bank robbery, shooting or car crashes is asked to contact the Major Crimes Team by calling MCSO detectives at 503-988-0560 and referring to Gresham Police report number 22-00446.