PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man accused of attempted murder and other charges, who was injured during a shootout with Portland police during an incident more than a month ago, was released from the hospital and taken to jail, authorities said.
Bryan Velasco-Ruelas was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges stemming from an incident on Sept. 20 for an alleged series of crimes involving a weapon committed at multiple gas stations, including pointing a gun and threatening workers, leading up to the shootout with Portland police.
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The two involved Portland Police Bureau officers, Sammy Smith and Spencer Foster, were cleared of wrongdoing after the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office determined they were justified in their use of force. According to the DA’s office, an investigation determined Velasco-Ruelas started the firefight with police near Southeast 122nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street, with the two officers firing back at him and injuring him.
This is all based on both surveillance footage of the gas stations, witness interviews, and police body-worn cameras of the incident, the DA’s office said. However, the moment Velasco Ruelas fired the first shots at officers was blocked from view in the videos by the patrol cars that the officers were hiding behind during the shootout, officials said…