Suspect, shot twice in Astoria, leads police on high-speed chase

ASTORIA, Ore. – Police in Astoria are investigating an officer-involved shooting at a motel Sunday evening. One officer was slightly injured and the suspect was shot twice but still led officers on a long high-speed car chase before he was captured.

Astoria police said two officers were sent to investigate a suspicious circumstances call at the Lamplighter Hotel in Astoria at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. When the suspect was confronted, he fired on the two officers. Both officers returned fire and the suspect was hit twice, police said in a press release.

One officer received minor injuries but he has already been released from the hospital. Police have not clarified the nature of the officer's injuries. The other officer was not hurt.

Despite being shot twice, police said the man was able to get to his vehicle and lead police on a high-speed chase south on Highway 101 out of Astoria on then eastbound on Highway 26. Witnesses said police stopped the suspect’s vehicle with spike strips.

The suspect was taken into custody and taken to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland with two gunshot wounds. ODOT closed a section of Highway 26 for about one hour near where the chase ended.

An employee who works next tot he hotel at the Pig-n-Pancake restaurant said a police officer came in and told her and everyone in the business to take cover.

"I thought we were getting robbed," Crystal Neprud said. "But then I realized it was a cop and I was just, like, "what's going on?"" Neprud said the officer told her shots had been fired and that the incident was "very scary."

The identities of the suspect and officers involved have not been released. The suspect's condition has also not yet been released.

Oregon State Police are taking the lead on the investigation, Astoria police said. More details are expected to be released on Monday. The two officers involved are on administrative leave.