Group raises questions about latest police shooting

PORTLAND, Ore. - A group of African American community leaders raised questions about the police version of events in a deadly officer-involved shooting last week.

The Albina Ministerial Alliance held a news conference Monday to call for transparency in the investigation into the death of 25-year-old Keaton Dupree Otis who police said opened fire at them during a traffic stop last Wednesday evening at Northeast 6th and Clackamas. Police returned fire, killing Otis.

During the exchange of gunfire Officer Christopher Burley was shot twice, once in each leg. He underwent surgery for his injuries and was released from Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Friday afternoon.

The Rev. LeRoy Haynes said critical questions remain about the gun officers said they found in Otis’ car, how Burley was shot and whether he may have been wounded by friendly fire.

“We cannot conclude that the young man shot the police officer,” Haynes said. “It’s always a possibility that ricocheted bullets or any other thing could’ve happened. We don’t know for sure, as they say, one, whether there was a weapon in the car and, two, whether the weapon that was in the car was what was actually used. And then there is the question as to why Brother Otis was stopped in the first place.”

The group called for a transparent, swift and fair investigation. And they said if it is not completed quickly enough, or without enough openness by the Portland Police Bureau, they will conduct an independent investigation of their own.

Haynes also said his group is concerned the community was not consulted in the selection of Portland’s new police chief, Mike Reese. Mayor Sam Adams removed former Police Chief Rosie Sizer last week.

“Our expectation is that this does not indicate a future trend regarding the leadership style of Mayor Sam Adams,” Haynes said.

According to Otis’ parents, Felesia and Joseph Otis in a statement they released Friday, their son was diagnosed with a mood disorder in 2004.

Police said Otis was pulled over for committing several traffic violations. They said he was combative, and they twice used Tasers in an effort to subdue him; however, they said that failed and Otis opened fire on them.