A scene from Monday’s investigation of the pursuit and shooting incident under the Pacific Boulevard viaduct.
The Albany police on Tuesday identified the driver of the car in Monday’s pursuit and shooting incident as Steven Anthony Schmidt-Shelton, 40, of Corvallis.
He’s in the Linn County Jail and faces seven charges ranging from attempted murder to failing to perform the duties of a driver.
The man’s mother went on Facebook and apologized for what her son had done.
Here’s the entire press release issued by the police department, with minor editing for style on capitalization, abbreviations and such:
“On Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, at approximately 11:45 a.m., Corvallis police officers attempted to stop a vehicle on Peoria Road about a mile south of Highway 34. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop for the marked police vehicle and fired gunshots multiple times at the Corvallis police vehicles.
“The suspect, operating a black 1997 Honda, led the two Corvallis police officers in a vehicle pursuit through rural southwest Linn County, east on Bell Plain to Highway 99E. Oregon state troopers and Linn County Sheriff’s deputies joined the pursuit on Highway 99E, north toward Albany.
“Albany Police officers successfully deployed spike strips near Beta Drive and 53rd Avenue, resulting in the suspect vehicle losing two tires, slowing the pursuit down.
“The suspect continued the pursuit into Albany and Oregon State Police utilized a forcible stopping technique on the suspect vehicle near the Albany train depot. The pursuit ended under the Pacific Boulevard overpass where Oregon State troopers were involved in a shooting with the suspect.
“The suspect was apprehended and transported via ambulance to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No law enforcement personnel were injured during this incident. Detectives from the Linn and Benton County Major Crime Teams processed the scene of the shooting and opened the highways at about 10 p.m.
“The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Steven Anthony Schmidt-Shelton of Corvallis, was arrested and is lodged at the Linn County Jail on the following: Attempted murder, attempted assault 1, unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, reckless endangering, reckless driving, (and) failure to perform duties of a driver.
“Members of the Linn-Benton Major Crimes Team were assembled, with Albdreany Police Departmensst leading the investigation of this incident. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is currently available. All future media releases will be made by the Linn County District Attorney’s Office.”
In due course, we may learn details such as: How many troopers fired how many shots? How many shots were fired at the officers as they followed the fleeing driver? If the driver is a felon, as the charge says, how did he obtain a firearm? What kind of gun did he have or use?
And why do police statements usually refer to a “local area hospital” as in this case? It was Samaritan Albany General, so why not say that? (hh)
“Attempted murder, attempted assault 1, unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, reckless endangering, reckless driving, (and) failure to perform duties of a driver.”
This is part of the problem…lots of ‘plea’ potential. The dude shot at police officers…only charge should be made: Attempted Murder. End of story.
“And why do police statements usually refer to a “local area hospital” as in this case?”
Could be that at the time the statement was made, the person making the statement didn’t know which hospital the dirt bag was being taken care of.
He wasn’t charged with any charges for driving under any kind of influence. I wonder why? His mother said he was under some kind of influence. Maybe those charges will come later.
They have plenty enough charges against him to keep him locked up for a long time. They could probably charge him with littering if they wanted to. It just becomes pointless.
Anyone who shoots at a law enforcement officer, or any first responder for that matter, should be given a lethal dose of lead poisoning.
I’d heard that he had a woman and a dog in the car..rumor?
Assume the police would have mentioned that.