good times
2003-09-01 | 12:39 p.m.

Just an update...

SALEM - Police are currently in a standoff with an arrmed ex-convict near the state Capitol building who is threatening to do harm to himself.

The standoff began when a Capitol Mall officer tried to pull over a car around 8:00 a.m. this morning.

Police say the unidentified man is on Breyman Street NE between 20th and 21st Streets, north of McRay Park and east of the Safeway store on Center Street NE, 19th, 20th and 21st streets are blocked off.

Police say the suspect is suicidal; he has been pacing in the street with the weapon pointed at his chin. A police negotiator is trying to coax the man into putting the gun down.

After a short pursuit, police said two men got out and fled on foot. One of the men had a semi-automatic handgun and fired it twice as he fled from officers.

Police believe they know the identity of the man -- who has parole violations -- but have not released his identity.

At this time, the whereabouts of the second suspect are unknown.

"We are trying to resolve this peacefully so no one gets hurt," said Lt. Dale Rutledge, a spokesman for the Oregon State Police department, told KATU Monday. "We've got all the time in the world to try to resolve this peacefully."

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