ONTARIO, Oregon — Oregon law enforcement is investigating after a Twin Falls man died at the scene of a police response in Ontario on Saturday night.
According to a press release from the Malheur County District Attorney, at 8:04 p.m., Ontario Police officers responded to a report of a man threatening to use a gun against others near the bowling alley in Ontario.
Officers arrived at the scene, and the situation escalated. The press release states that less-lethal methods were used by officers, including a pepper ball and a taser.
The District Attorney says that the man, identified as 46-year-old Mark Alan Olson of Twin Falls, "began to have medical issues". Firearms were not used in the response, the release says.
Paramedics arrived at the scene and began life-saving efforts, but those were unsuccessful. Olson was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:47 p.m. His family has since been notified.
The Malheur County Major Crimes team was activated to investigate the incident. Oregon State Police were charged with leading the investigation, with assistance from the Malheur County Sheriff. Investigators did not find a gun after searching Olson and the vehicle involved, the release says.
The Malheur County District Attorney's Office will review the results of the investigation. The four officers involved in the incident have been placed on leave per department policy, pending the investigation.
An autopsy will be scheduled to confirm the cause of death, the District Attorney said.
"This is not the result any sworn officer wants when responding to a dangerous behavior call," Malheur County District Attorney David M. Goldthorpe said. "I would ask the public to please reserve any judgment towards any parties involved until the investigation is complete."
