[kellyhound]

NEWPORT, Ore. – The Lincoln County District Attorney Wednesday determined a Newport police officer’s actions were justified when he shot a suspect wielding a hammer.

The incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 9. Officer Andrew Ashpole responded to Agate Beach RV Park on a report of trespassing, according to Lincoln County District Attorney Michelle Branam.

Ashpole learned the suspect, 53-year-old Nantharath Thilavanh, had an active warrant for his arrest in Multnomah County.

When Ashpole attempted to take Thilavanh into custody, he asked Thilavanh to remove knives that were on his person and take a hammer out of his pants.

“At the moment Officer Ashpole mentioned that Mr. Thilavanh had a warrant, Mr. Thilavanh took a hammer that was resting in his hand and turned the hammer so it could be used as a weapon,” Branam said.

Ashpole pulled out his gun, asking Thilavanh to put the hammer down.

A second officer arrived and tried to de-escalate the situation, Branam said.

The second officer ordered Thilavanh to drop the hammer before making eight attempts to subdue Thilavanh with a Taser.

Thilavanh was wearing several layers of clothing, rendering the Taser ineffective.

Both officers continued to order Thilavanh to drop the hammer when a deputy arrived and tried to use pepper spray to restrain Thilavanh. The deputy then attempted to use his Taser but it malfunctioned.

Then, Thilavanh ran from the officers onto Highway 101 and approached a school bus.

The officers warned Thilavanh, whose “actions were erratic,” that he would be shot if he didn’t drop the hammer, Branam said.

With the hammer wielded above his head in an aggressive stance, Thilavanh lunged toward an officer, Branam said, and Ashpole fired three shots.

Thilavanh continued to wield the hammer and advance on officers after the initial three shots, Branam said. Ashpole fired three more shots.

Thilavanh was hit by two shots in the knee and hip area.

First aid was immediately given to Thilavanh before he was flow to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis, where he refused any medical treatment, according to Branam.

Thilavanh’s condition is considered non-life-threatening.

[records1]

"Put the hammer down". 10-4, good buddy.

The guy's appearance and gait is like Charles Laughton in The Hunchback Of Notre Dame.

[denmetal80]

police did all they could possibly do here IMO. Cant say he wasnt warned enough either that guy reminded me of the guy from shitty wok in South Park.

[Broadjumper]

He deserve to be shot just for being annoying

[jdankens]

Cops are not justified to use violence against mentally ill people. It's not like mentally ill people harm others..

[jdankens]

Also a perfect example for libcucks on why tasers don't always work. Bullets far more effective.

[dirty ike]

Officer ASHPOLE --"seriously"-- man I bet he caught shit in grade school.

[spudigitti]

^

[kantag1]

Aren't they allowed to shoot their legs? Why don't they ever shoot their legs? Is it against regs

[rilvulan671]

Originally Posted by kantag1 ↗

Aren't they allowed to shoot their legs? Why don't they ever shoot their legs? Is it against regs

Have you ever fired a handgun before?