Police: Robbery suspect shoots at officers, caught in Tualatin after chase

TUALATIN, Ore. – A robbery suspect fired a gun at officers Tuesday morning during a lengthy police chase that ended in Tualatinnear Interstate 5, Portland Police said.

Police ultimately shot the suspect; he is being treated at a local hospital.

No officers were injured in the shootout, officials said.

The police chase involved somewhere between five and seven crime scenes as it stretched from Southwest Portland into Tigard and Lake Oswego before ending in Tualatin near Interstate 5.

"There were several points during the pursuit where a suspect opened fire on police officers," said Tigard Police spokesperson Jim Wolf.

Police were called out around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday on reports of a shooting and robbery at the Aladdin Inn near SW 30th Avenue and Barbur Boulevard in Portland.

Employee's at the Aladdin say the suspect walked into the motel with a mask on and a gun in his hand, demanding cash.

"I thought, is he going to shoot us? He didn’t, he didn’t hold the gun and point it at us. He put in on the counter and said he had a gun," one employee told KATU.

According to the employee, the owner of the motel gave the suspect all the money they had, which added up to about $70.

Witnesses said they saw a man with a handgun run away from the motel and get into a white minivan. Officers say they caught up with the minivan at a gas station in Tigard, which is when Tigard Police began following the suspect.

Shortly after the pursuit started Tigard Police reported the suspect firing shots at them.

"Portland officers also reported shots fired. Investigators will interview officers to determine if they were victims of attempted aggravated murder or just witnessed the suspect shooting," Sgt. Pete Simpson with the Portland Police Bureau said.

Officers arrested the robbery suspect behind a Walgreens store near Lower Boones Ferry Road and Southwest 65th Avenue after the suspect fled from the minivan. The suspect was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound.

An woman and some children were inside the minivan. Detectives are interviewing them; police haven't commented on how they are related to the suspect that was shot.

Witnesses tell KATU News that the suspect fired three shots at officers as he ran away, and officers fired back twice.

As of 3:30pm Lower Boones Ferry reopened for drivers, there is still police activity in the area.

The driver may have damaged other cars and some property during the chase. If you suffered property damage because of the chase, police want you to call your local police non-emergency number.

This is a developing story; updates will be posted as information comes in.