UPDATE: One dead & one sought in OSP SWAT shooting near Yachats, deceased subject ID'ed

Reported by: Chris McKee

Email: chrismckee@kmtr.com

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Published: 6/01/2012 10:18 am

Updated: 6/01/2012 7:50 pm

LANE COUNTY, Ore. (KMTR) -- Lane County’s Interagency Deadly Force Investigation Team (IDFIT) is investigating a fatal shooting after an Oregon State Police (OSP) SWAT Team raid on a home in rural Lane County.

The shooting happened just before midnight on Thursday, May 31st, 2012. Oregon State Police were serving a search warrant at a home on Tenmile Creek Road in northwest Lane County, 7 miles east of Highway 101 and south of Yachats.

As the OSP SWAT team was conducting surveillance on the property, team members encountered an 18-year old male suspect, Samuel A. Mullane of Yachats, in the front driveway of the property.

“SWAT members encountered an armed subject in the driveway of this residence, a male armed with a rifle,” said Detective Sergeant Cliff Harrold of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Harrold is part of the team investigating the use of deadly force.

According to OSP, three OSP SWAT members fired at least one round each at Mullane. Mullane was pronounced dead from his injuries on scene.

The Lane County Interagency Deadly Force Investigation Team is now investigating the use of force in the shooting. Three OSP SWAT members who fired the shots are now on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues. Per Oregon law, every time an officer is involved in an incident where there is a use of deadly force, the shooting is investigated by an interagency team.

“It's a multi-agency effort to make sure that do a good through investigation of a use of force so that the district attorney has that to review,” says Sgt. Harrold.

The investigation will proceed in two directions. First, the use of deadly force and evidence related to it on the scene.

IDFIT team members spent Friday afternoon, June 1st, 2012, combing the scene for evidence.

“The metal detector that you're seeing there searching for, well any metal evidence but specifically shell casings,” said Sgt. Harrold.

Some Eugene Police officers are also assisting in the investigation as part of the IDFIT team. Friday, EPD used surveying equipment to reconstruct the scene of the shooting.

The second direction of the investigation is with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

“State Police SWAT team was out here assisting the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office with service of a search warrant,” says Sgt. Harrold.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office originally called for the SWAT raid in relation to an assault investigation. The assault allegedly happened in mid-May 2012 in Yachats. Deputies say on May 10th, 2012, a 46-year old female was menaced with a handgun by 54-year old Julie Hubney of Yachats.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies say the victim was then beaten by two male suspects: 27-year old Matthew Hubney of Yachats and 25-year old Justin Wood of Yachats.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies arrested both Julie Hubney on May 12th, 2012, after a SWAT raid on her home. The most recent SWAT raid came after deputies learned Matthew Hubney, Justin Wood and a person of interest were inside the home on Tenmile Creek Road.

Matthew Hubney was taken in to custody along with another person after the May 31st, 2012 SWAT raid.

Wood's whereabouts are still unknown.

Oregon State Police are still looking for 25-year old Justin Wood (pictured below):

Justin Wood

If you see him, call police or the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center at 541-265-4231.

Results from the deadly force investigation will come from the Lane County District Attorney’s Office.

Other Stories of Interest

florence, Justin Wood, lane county, Lane County District Attorney's Office, Lane County Sheriff's Office, Officer Involved Shooting, Oregon State Police, OSP, SWAT, Yachats

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of NewsSource 16

sylstoy1 - 6/22/2012 9:07 AM

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Bear* correction to my entry, keys stick at times

sylstoy1 - 6/22/2012 9:05 AM

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Isn't it the job of swat to negotiate? This was barely an 18yr old kid, he was close friends to my niece and nephew, and according to them, he would have dropped the rifle and complied to the officers, I've been out to his place, and there are many ear and cougar in that area, and according to what was said, the swat turned up around midnite, and were positioning themselves and Sam thought it was a bear..the officers said nothing about dropping the weapon or servng him with the warrant..A young life ended because of gun happy miliant minded cops.

SunShinE - 6/4/2012 6:52 PM

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Sam was sweet and innocent. He DIDNT DESERVE THIS! Nothing anyone can say will bring him back which hurts and this whole situation is beyond wrong! I hope the 3 pigs who shot him DIE & BURN IN HELL.

Observer - 6/2/2012 11:45 AM

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Heywood J: I don't automatically think the police were wrong but the limited amount of facts available at the present time certainly justify serious concern. The person shot appears not to be the one named in the warrant so that indicates he was not the subject of which the police were searching. Second, it appears he was the property owner and therefore it would be legal for him to not only be armed there if he so chooses but also for him to investigate and secure his property. Third the police had the advantage of surprise, cover of darkness, superior numbers, equipment and training. Was the use of deadly force really the only option here? So, I sincerely hope this incident is investigated thoroughly because on the surface I see plenty to concern this average citizen.

fisherman - 6/2/2012 10:25 AM

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These deadly force cowboys are trained to shoot with zero accuracy at hundreds of yards, there is know reason to use deadly force they should fired a warning shot or even wound him but KILLING him ---BS, I'm sure the shooters will get a pat on the head job will done,I believe there should be independent investigation ------as you know the state takes care of it's own------Huh,cops don't lie do they? ,if you believe that you believe the Easter bunny lays eggs.

Heywood J - 6/2/2012 10:14 AM

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Why does everyone automatically think the police are in the wrong. From what it sounds like, the kid was outside with a gun. I'm sure the officers gave him chances to drop the weapon before they opened fire. The SWAT team does not just shoot first if there is no immediate danger, like if he made a sudden or threatening move. Abused or not, he should have dropped his weapon immediately and it could have been avoided.

dtomdick - 6/2/2012 8:19 AM

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We do not know all the facts about what happened out there, and unfortunately we may never know. I saw no mention in the article about return fire, so therefore I have to assume at this point that the deceased did not discharge his weapon. Now the question arises, why did the SWAT team feel the need to use deadly force. If the suspect readied and pointed his weapon at a police officer or made some other threatening gesture, that could possibly justify deadly force. As a former peace officer it is hard for me to hear of a shooting like this, because life is a precious gift, and the last thing I ever wanted to do as a peace officer was to take a life. Things seem different in this day and age with so many drugs, the loss of respect due to police unions, over zealous officers, criminals with no remorse. There are just so many things that are different it is hard to make a judgement. It will be interesting to see the outcome of the investigation, however you are likely to never hear the SWAT team statements, and that is unfortunate to say the least. I in no way mean any disrespect for 99 percent of the peace officers that are out there, however there are bad apples, I saw when I was a peace officer. You can only hope that the good always outweighs the bad. BerkeleyPHD I am truly sorry for this loss of life, and the grief you feel, I hope the investigation results ease your grief.

BerkeleyPHD - 6/2/2012 1:57 AM

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On May 31st, in the Siuslaw National Forest where he grew up young Sam barely 18 years old was shot in cold blood by an entire SWAT team who was looking for another guy Matthew. Sam endured the pain of so much in his life. Only 2 months ago when he turned 18 did he finally have a chance at a better life when he inherited the beautiful land his biological father left him. He finally had a chance to live a good life and start over without the horrors of his past. I am swelling with anger and overwhelmed with anguish at the loss of a young boy who never had a chance at life and who was killed in the forest he loved. This is a completely horrifying tragedy. :'( My tears are a flood for baby Sam killed at age 18 by a SWAT team. I remember babysitting Sam and his little brother because their parents were abusive, cruel alcoholics. We fed them when they were literally starving and showed them what real love feels like. We tried to save him from them and now I think little Sam is dead. The little boy born into the hands of the worst kind of evil. I am filled with overwhelming sadness at how unlucky and cruel life can be for those who had no choice. We don't chose the home we are born into and poor Sam was born into heartbreaking cruelty.

BerkeleyPHD - 6/2/2012 1:18 AM

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On May 31st, in the Siuslaw National Forest where he grew up young Sam Mullane barely 18 years old was shot in cold blood by an entire SWAT team who was looking for another guy. Sam endured the pain of so much in his life. Only 2 months ago when he turned 18 did he finally had a chance at a better life when he inherited the beautiful land his biological father left him. He finally had a chance to live a good life and start over without the horrors of his past. I am swelling with anger and overwhelmed with anguish at the loss of a young boy who never had a chance at life and who was murdered in the forest he loved. You murdered a kid who never had a chance at life in the first place. Importantly, Sam Mullane never would have hurt anyone nor would he ever have shot his gun. I am utterly appalled that your officers ALL opened fire on Sam and murdered this poor kid. You clearly need to re-evaluate your current protocols and take additional training to learn the power of negotiation. Your officers need to be properly trained before they are sent out to kill children. Sam was scared and was never taught how to live life well because he was never in a safe environment EVER. Sam Mullane was abused his entire life in every possibly way a child could be. I tried to save him from the abuse but I was too young to adopt him. This is a completely horrifying tragedy. I want you all to understand the crime you have committed :'( I want you all to know that you have just MURDERED an innocent young boy. You killed his last chance at a normal life and you forced upon him the last possible kind of abuse he hadn't yet experienced: DEATH. I hope you are proud of your ignorance and rash killing of an innocent child. I am disgusted by your actions. I will not forget this and I will take the appropriate next steps for JUSTICE. I hope you all think about the disgusting killing you have just committed. Justice will prevail. Iri

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