Wanted man shot and killed by police

PORTLAND, Ore. - A man wanted on weapons charges was fatally shot by Portland police early Sunday after he tried to elude them by jumping out the window of a southwest Portland motel, police said.

The man has been identified as 52-year-old David Earl Hughes, who was being sought by the U.S. Marshals Service on a $1 million warrant, according to Sgt. Brian Schmautz, a police spokesman.  A felony warrant was issued for Hughes last Tuesday after he failed to appear for sentencing after pleading guilty to charges of Burglary in the First Degree with a Firearm, Possession of a Short Barrel Shotgun and Arson.

Officers responded to the Hospitality Inn at 10155 Capitol Highway about 10:30 a.m. Sunday after learning that Hughes was inside.  Officers had information indicating Hughes was possibly armed with a firearm, possibly suicidal and did not want to go to jail. While officers put together a plan to arrest him, Hughes jumped out of a second-story window in the back of the motel, landing in an alley.

Police spotted and approached Hughes, telling him repeatedly to raise his hands, but Hughes refused and instead yelled at police to shoot him. When Hughes made a motion to put his hand inside his coat, three officers fired rounds at him, Schmautz said.   One officer also also discharged less lethal bean bag rounds, which may or may not have hit Hughes. 

Police say Hughes drooped to the ground, once again refused all commands and placed his hands either into his coat or waistband area.  Officers discharged their weapons a second time and then took Hughes into custody.  Hughes was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

Schmautz said the situation could have gotten much worse had police not confronted Hughes while he was alone.

"Once that person gets in the blocks and starts running he could take citizens hostage," Schmautz said. "He could get into a shooting situation with officers where he's in the community. It's much more difficult for us to control that situation once he gets into a populated area."

The case remains under investigation and police are asking anyone with information to call Detective Jon Rhodes at (503) 823-0459 or Detective Lynn Courtney at (503) 823-0451.