PORTLAND, Ore. — The man injured in a September police shooting in Portland's Woodlawn neighborhood pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder.
On Wednesday, Jesse James West appeared in court in a wheelchair due to injuries after being shot by police. The 24-year-old pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder.
On Sept. 26, PPB detectives and Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) members were attempting to arrest West, who was being watched by police after allegedly committing many crimes, particularly armed carjacking.
When police approached him, there was "an exchange of gunfire," and three PPB officers assigned to SERT fired their guns. Prosecutors said West was caught on body camera firing at officers from the back of his Subaru, and police also seized a semiautomatic gun in West's car seat.
West was hospitalized with injuries and taken into custody, then booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on two counts of first-degree attempted murder and other warrants.
After the shooting, the three officers were put on paid leave, which is standard protocol, according to Portland police. Police identified the officers as Brett Emmons, an 8-year PPB veteran; Joshua Faris, a 23-year PPB veteran; and Matthew Wells, a 21-year PPB veteran; all were assigned to SERT.
Police stated Thursday that West had an AR-style rifle in addition to the semiautomatic gun. Body camera footage has also been released.
West is due back in court next week.