SANDY, Ore. (KATU) — Court documents revealed the names of the victims involved in a shooting that took place in Sandy on Sunday night.
A deadly domestic disturbance in Sandy unfolded over several hours Sunday evening, leaving multiple people dead and a police officer shot, authorities said.
Sandy police and other adjacent agencies responded about 4 p.m. Sunday to reports of a domestic disturbance and a shooting in the town. Authorities warned the area was not safe and urged people to stay away. Residents nearby were told to lock their doors and remain inside as officers continued working the scene.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Multiple killed and officer shot in Sandy after domestic disturbance
Around 9:30 p.m., police said during a press conference that several people had died and that an officer had been shot. Authorities did not provide the number of victims or release any names at that time.
Sandy Police Chief Patrick Huskey said officers and Clackamas County deputies responded to reports on Evans Street near Ross Avenue and came under fire once they arrived. Huskey said officers returned fire and an officer was shot. Medical crews later transported the officer via LifeFlight to a hospital with “multiple” gunshot wounds.
Huskey, who did not take questions at the Sunday night press conference, said multiple people died.
“There are multiple victims deceased at this time,” Huskey said.
The suspect surrendered to law enforcement “peacefully,” Huskey said.
“I understand everyone wants answers and information right now, but this remains a very dynamic and active investigation,” Huskey said. “I can tell you that investigators from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and the Clackamas County Major Crimes team are working to process the scene, conduct interviews, and get the answers our community deserves.”
Charges and victims
On Monday, June 1, an indictment document identified the suspect as Bryan Andrew Moore, born in 1987. The document states Moore is charged with killing Jenna Mary Overson, Mary Beth Overson and Kobyn McClure.
The indictment also states Moore injured and attempted to kill Garrett D. Thornton, an officer who has been with Sandy Police for 11 years.
Court documents also state Moore is charged with kidnapping two separate people for the purposes of holding them as a shield or hostage. He was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The relationship between the victims remains unclear at this time.
A fundraiser was started online for one of the victims, Jenna Overson, stating its meant to help three children left behind.
Community impact
KATU News reporter Jennifer Singh was on the scene Sunday evening and spoke to some community members waiting for the scene to wrap up.
A man told KATU he was waiting for his daughter who was inside the apartment complex near the shooting took place. “I got a call that said my daughter was up here in the middle of an active shooting, and that’s really all I knew,” Robert Zeppetella said.
When asked what was going through his mind as a parent, Zeppetella said he was “super scared.”
“I got in the truck and I wanted to dome down here and try to bust her out,” the Estacada father said. “That’s what my first thought was.”
As for what he was hoping for at the time, Zeppetella said, “I seen two SWAT trucks pull in there, and I’m hoping that they bust down the door and neutralize the guy and everybody’s safe and he gets taken care of, and nobody gets hurt.”
Another person around the scene at the time was Ray Savig, a Sandy resident who described it as a “quiet town.”
“Seeing something like this or hearing about something like this is not normal, per se. We don’t have a lot of violence, I guess, and that’s why I moved from Portland to here, so to speak,” Savig said. “So yeah, this is very abnormal.”
Savig felt unease seeing all the ambulances on the scene near his home. “By our house there’s a Life Flight helicopter in the field, so that says a lot right there. Seeing all the ambulances, all the different agencies responding is a sure sign of something not good going on.”
He said he felt “something tragic had happened” and that “people are hurt,” when he saw the response at the scene.
Sandy Mayor Kathleen Walker expressed condolences in a social media post.
“Tonight, our Sandy community grieves the unimaginable loss of lives from a domestic violence incident,” the post read in part. “Our small town is not shielded by distance or size.”
Walker also urged the community to allow investigators to do their work and to support those affected.
“I urge us to let law enforcement and the district attorney do their job of investigating this complex incident. We must support the family, friends and neighbors of the victims. We are so grateful for the assistance of our agency partners: County Sheriff offices SWAT, OSP, fire and medical and other city police departments that are assisting in our response and the investigations that are started,” Walker wrote, in part.
Mayor Scott Keyser of neighboring town Molalla in Clackamas County also posted on Facebook, asking residents to pray for first responders involved in the incident.
“Please join me in keeping all of our first responders in your prayers as they respond to the incident in Sandy,” Keyser wrote. “Lord, please place Your hand of protection over every firefighter, police officer, paramedic, and emergency responder on scene. Keep them safe as they work to protect others. We have heard reports that one responder may have been injured, and we pray for their healing, comfort, and strength.”
Email newstips@katu.com with tips or information.