Craig Boehler

Information
Officer Involved Shooting Summary

Date: November 23, 2010
Suspect
: Craig Boehler, 46
Involved Members: Several PPB Members, Officer Pete McConnell

On Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at 12:40 a.m., East Precinct Officers responded to a call in the 11000 Block of SE 106th and Cherry Blossom Avenue regarding a family disturbance.  A man was reportedly attacking a woman inside the residence, despite having been shot by the homeowner. The caller to 911 reported that there were several guns, including rifles and shotguns inside the home, but they believed they were secure.

Officers were able to rescue the three occupants as the suspect began barricading doors and windows. Within minutes, the subject began firing at officers. The Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) was activated, and the subject continued to fire at officers.

Additional officers began evacuating nearby residences.  In conjunction with the Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT), SERT attempted to contact the subject by loud hailing.  Due to the danger to officers and the fact that negotiations were not feasible, the decision was made to deploy chemical agents into the home. 

As the subject continued to fire at officers, a SERT officer, Officer Pete McConnell, a 17-year veteran of the Police Bureau fired his weapon, striking the subject three times.  Officer McConnell observed the suspect in a window, lighting something on fire and holding a gun. Flames started coming from the home, and within minutes, the home was fully engulfed.  Officers evacuated other occupants of nearby homes as a precaution.

The suspect was determined to be 46-year-old Craig Boehler. Mr. Boehler’s body was recovered a short time ago after fire investigators said it was safe to enter the residence.  The Medical Examiner determined Boehler died of smoke inhalation.

On December 8, 2010, a Multnomah County Grand Jury found this shooting to be justified.

As part of the use of force review process, the Bureau conducts an internal review of the entire incident and the case will go before the Police Review Board (PRB), which is composed of community members, Bureau members and representatives from the Independent Police Review Division.

The Portland Police Bureau's directive outlining the procedures followed after an officer-involved shooting may be found in Directive 1010.10.