SALEM, Ore. — An Oregon State Police officer was cleared of wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old man at a National Guard air station last month, officials from the Marion County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Friday.
The grand jury unanimously ruled that Senior Trooper Justin Oxenrider acted justifiably during the confrontation with Matthew Wong on February 27. The incident began with a report of an attempted robbery at the air station’s guard shack, where Wong was said to have presented a note with demands for compliance within 10 minutes.
Prior to arriving at the scene, Oxenrider was informed that Wong was wanted on an active arrest warrant and had previously brandished a knife at law enforcement. Upon Oxenrider’s arrival, he identified a man matching Wong’s description seated near the guard shack.
Footage from the incident revealed that Oxenrider attempted to engage peacefully with Wong, greeting him and then instructing him to remove his hands from his pockets. Wong did not comply and began to walk away. Continued commands from Oxenrider for Wong to stop and show his hands were met with refusal.
The altercation escalated when Wong, now across the parking lot, pulled out a knife while Oxenrider drew his taser. After a missed taser attempt by Oxenrider, Wong charged at him while possibly making mention of a gun, further complicating the high-tension encounter.
As described by authorities, a brief physical altercation ensued, during which Wong used his knife against Oxenrider. The officer then attempted to use his taser again without success. When Wong attempted to flee the scene, Oxenrider pursued him, believing Wong posed a significant threat to public safety.
The confrontation reached its peak when Wong, still armed with the knife and moving in what Oxenrider perceived as an aggressive manner, turned to face the officer. Feeling imminently threatened, Oxenrider discharged his firearm twice, resulting in Wong’s collapse a few steps later.
Oxenrider secured the scene by removing the knife from Wong’s reach and administered first aid until emergency medical technicians arrived. However, Wong was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy report later noted that Wong sustained injuries to his back and right side, though it was unclear which gunshot was fired first.
According to the district attorney’s office, the grand jury concluded that Oxenrider had exhausted all feasible alternatives before resorting to lethal force. They noted his multiple attempts to de-escalate the situation verbally and his twice-unsuccessful use of non-lethal tactics.
This case highlights the complex nature of law enforcement’s response to potentially lethal threats and the split-second decisions officers often have to make.
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