Salem police shoot, wound robbery suspect

By KATU.com Staff Published: Feb 10, 2012 at 10:03 PM PDT Last Updated: Feb 11, 2012 at 1:11 AM PDT
Salem police shoot, wound robbery suspect »Play Video
Police investigate near the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Salem Friday night. The suspect was shot once and taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries, according to police.

SALEM, Ore. – Salem police shot and wounded a robbery suspect Friday night, police said.

Police said they responded to a call of a suspicious man just before 7:30 dressed in dark clothing and a ski mask at the Texaco on Hoyt and Commercial Street SE. The man went into the business but left without committing any crime.

Police then said he went south and robbed the FedEx Kinko's on Commercial and Alice at gunpoint at about 10 minutes to eight. Police described it as a take-over style robbery. The say the suspect took over the shop and not only robbed the business but also the customers inside at the time.

When police arrived, they say they confronted the suspect who took off on foot. During a chase, police said the suspect fired an unknown number of rounds at officers. Police returned fire, hitting the man once.

The suspect was taken into custody and to Salem Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. No one else was injured.

Police wouldn't comment on whether they are looking for another suspect.

Police identified the Salem officer who shot the suspect as six-year veteran Oscar Zambrano.

Commercial Street between Hoyt and Boice streets was shut down while police investigated the incident.