SALEM, Ore. — Salem police shot a man accused of kidnapping a woman early Friday morning. He is being treated at a hospital.
Police officers responded at around 4:30 a.m. after a woman reported that she was being kidnapped. The officers found the suspect's vehicle with the woman inside. They attempted to stop the vehicle, which turned into the parking lot of an apartment complex on Glen Creek Road Northwest, Salem police said.
As officers approached the vehicle, the woman got out. The man, who was armed with a knife, got out of the vehicle and was shot by two officers, Salem police said.
The 34-year-old suspect, Daniel Lewis Garcia, was taken to Salem Health. Salem police have not released any information about the extent of his injuries or his condition.
The woman was not injured, Oregon State Police said.
No officers were injured, either. The involved Salem police officers have been identified as Nathan Bush, who's been with the department for seven years; Colten Ruyle, who's worked for the department for one year; and Faith Hovenden, who's worked in the department for one-and-a-half years.
“It is concerning because I never thought something like that would happen in ... in the years I have been coming here, a really peaceful area,” said Lucas Quezada, who frequently exercises at the gym across street from where the shooting happened.
Nolan Smith, who's been living homeless near Wallace Marine Park, described the area differently and said he's feared for his safety multiple times. And Friday morning, he heard it all.
“Living down there we hear a lot of loud sounds, but this was distinctively — it sounded like a gunshot; it was scary," Smith said.
During the investigation, Glen Creek Road Northwest is closed between Cornucopia Street Northwest and the entrance of Wallace Marine Park. Salem police said an apartment complex in the area is being limited to residents. They're asking people to avoid the area until further notice.
Oregon State Police will conduct a preliminary investigation into the police shooting, with help from the Polk County District Attorney's Office.