OREGON CITY, Ore. -- A suspect in a stolen car fired shots at a Clackamas County deputy while trying to flee from police Tuesday night.
An Oregon City police officer noticed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Oregon City Shopping Center at 1900 McLoughlin Boulevard about 7:30 p.m. The officer learned the car was stolen in Canby, police said.
A man and a woman were in the car. The Oregon City officer approached the vehicle and the man got out and ran, according to a prepared statement from Oregon City police.
While running, the suspect fired shots at a deputy who had just arrived at the scene, with at least one round hitting the patrol car.
“I called him this morning to see how he’s doing,” said Clackamas County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Brian Jensen. “He’s doing fine. I think it takes a while these things to set in, exactly how close of a call it was. It brings it home just how dangerous and real this job is.”
Witnesses at a nearby Shari's restaurant said they heard two to four gunshots.
Police did not return fire. No one was injured. The suspect tripped while running away and he was taken into custody.
The woman remained in the stolen car. She has not been accused of a crime.
James R. Paquin, 31, was accused of attempted aggravated murder, felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was also in violation of parole out of Lane County.
He has a number of convictions in Lane County for burglary, theft and criminal mischief.
“It could have been very tragic, and we are very thankful that the officers, the deputy and the citizens are safe,” said Oregon City Police Capt. Shaun Davis.
Stolen car suspect shoots at deputy in Oregon City