PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police officers shot and killed a wanted fugitive Sunday night in the parking lot of Adventist Medical Center (AMC), after the man allegedly told a hospital staff member that he had a gun and would use it on the employee.
After threatening the hospital employee, the Merle Hatch, 50, reportedly asked the staff member to lead him to an exit and then walked out of the hospital alone. Staff members immediately issued a code silver, indicating a combative person with a weapon was on the premises. After dialing 911 to request police assistance, staff members locked down the hospital, according to an Adventist Health press release.
“We endeavor to care for the entire community with compassion and are saddened when outcomes result in loss of life,” AMC Spokeswoman Judy Leach said. “The hospital has policies in place to help protect those we serve and appropriate steps were taken to ensure the safety of all.”
Police arrived at the scene around 9:24 p.m. to find the suspect in the employee parking lot, according to a Portland Police Bureau press release. While en-route to the incident, multiple officers received a report that the suspect was armed with a black handgun and that he may have pointed a gun at a hospital security vehicle. Portland Police Air support and K-9 units were also called to the campus.
Three officers fired shots at the Hatch, a career criminal with arrests in California, Arizona and Colorado on a variety of charges including burglary, bank robbery, theft and homicide, KPTV.com reports. Hatch was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unclear whether police recovered a loaded weapon from the man.
The officers — 12-year-veteran Sergeant Nathan Voeller, three-year-veteran Officer Andrew Hearst and seven-year-veteran Officer Royce Curtiss — have been placed on paid administrative leave.
