Police faceoff ends with fatal shots

from The Oregonian, by Jill Rehkopf Smith


SUMMARY: Forest Grove A 45-year-old with a gun in each hand walks out of his apartment and confronts officers
FOREST GROVE --A 45-year-old man was shot and killed by officers Sunday night after police said he confronted them outside his apartment with a gun in each hand.

Forest Grove police identified the man as Neil Bruce Marcy. Three officers were involved in the shooting at the College Place Apartments, 2607 21st Ave.

"In terms of whether this was an attempted 'suicide by cop,' we're certainly looking at that as a possibility," said Capt. Aaron Ashbaugh, spokesman for the Forest Grove Police Department. "There's no question that he wanted to engage the police."

Barney Cogswell, who was staying next door with Ed and Donna Johnson in an apartment that now has bullet holes in the walls, said he heard police yelling, "Put down your guns!" and Marcy shouting, "You put yours down first."

Cogswell and the Johnsons were among those evacuated by police after the incident began.

The incident shocked neighbors, who described Marcy, a machine-shop worker who lived alone, as friendly and responsible. However, bartenders at a neighborhood tavern said Marcy could cause problems when he was drinking.

Ashbaugh could not confirm whether the investigation into Marcy's death will include testing for drugs or alcohol. The state medical examiner's office did not return calls for comment.

According to Ashbaugh, someone called

9-1-1 about 10:50 p.m. to report something about a shooting before quickly hanging up. Ashbaugh declined to say who made the call and said the Washington County Major Crimes Team, which is investigating the shooting, would release that information later.

When police arrived at the complex, they began taking cover, positioning themselves around Marcy's apartment and trying to talk him into a peaceful solution.

About 11:35 p.m., police saw Marcy walk outside with a pistol in his hand, fire it into the air and return inside, Ashbaugh said.

About 11:50 p.m., Marcy walked out the apartment door with a gun in each hand, Ashbaugh said. When Marcy raised his hands, officers shot and killed him. It is unclear how many shots were fired.

"It almost sounded like machine-gun fire," said Gary Alexander, who lives a few houses away from the apartment complex.

Two of the officers involved in the shooting were from the Forest Grove Police Department and one from the Cornelius Police Department. Following standard practice, the officers are on paid leave for about 10 days, Ashbaugh said. The names of the officers involved in the shooting will not be released until the Major Crimes Team finishes its investigation.

Marcy's death follows the shooting of 18-year-old Lukus Glenn by Washington County sheriff's deputies in Metzger last month. Deputies responded to the Glenn home Sept. 16 after reports that the intoxicated teen, armed with a pocket knife, was threatening others and himself.

Marcy had lived at the apartment complex for about two years, Ashbaugh said. According to public records, Marcy did not have a criminal history.

Neighbors described him as sociable and friendly. He brought food to last year's Thanksgiving celebration at the apartment complex. And he had befriended a stray cat. Monday morning, a dish with water and cat food still sat outside Marcy's apartment door.

Neighbors said Marcy has a sister who visited him frequently and also has an 18-year-old son.

The Johnsons sat outside Saturday night enjoying a beer with Marcy. They said he was talking about his job and was excited about switching companies and getting better pay. He was always respectful, Ed Johnson said: "He didn't cuss or anything."

But bartenders at the Circle Inn Tavern saw a different side.

Bartender Hannah Coates used to see Marcy every Saturday night when she worked the night shift months ago.

"He usually drank double shots of (Jose) Cuervo," she said. "Once he had that tequila in him, he was a totally different person." He would get rowdy and annoy customers, she said.

Three weeks ago, Coates said, the night bartender "eighty-sixed" Marcy, ordering him to leave and not to come back.

This is the second fatal police shooting Ashbaugh can recall in the city in 20 years. The other was in January 2003 at a manufactured home park, when a member of the Washington County Sheriff's Tactical Negotiations Team shot a man who appeared to be firing at neighbors and police.