Lincoln City, Oregon — A Lincoln County Grand Jury ruled on November 19, 2024, that three Lincoln City police officers acted justifiably when they used lethal force in an encounter with 36-year-old Francisco Campos on October 19, 2024. The verdict came after the jury examined evidence including testimony from nine witnesses, photographs, and video footage provided by the Oregon State Police, who spearheaded the investigation.
The critical incident unfolded at a local Motel 6, where police were called to a domestic disturbance involving Campos and a female companion. According to witness statements, motel staff had decided to evict the pair following an escalation in aggressive behavior from Campos, which reportedly included derogatory language and physical aggression.
When Campos was informed of the eviction, officers on site were made aware of his existing felony parole warrant and awaited his departure from the motel room to arrest him. As tensions continued, Campos was seen reaching towards his hip during a heated exchange with a motel employee — a move that led the officers to suspect he was armed. This prompted an immediate response from Officers Cody Snidow, Jaylan King, and Joshua Lane.
Despite multiple commands to show his hands, Campos defied the officers, instead urging them to “kill me” while reaching for what were later confirmed to be two firearms tucked into his waistband. This action precipitated the officers’ decision to open fire, ultimately leading to Campos’ death from multiple gunshot wounds as determined by an autopsy conducted the following day.
The Grand Jury’s review of this incident underscored the officers’ belief that Campos posed a significant threat not only to them but potentially others, with Campos taking steps that led them to discharge their weapons in defense. Officer Snidow fired eight times, Officer King three times, and Officer Lane four times, according to the investigation report.
Moreover, the Grand Jury concluded that no alternative measures such as additional verbal de-escalation or non-lethal force would have been effective under the circumstances. Campos’ criminal history, including recent charges related to armed robbery and illegal substance possession, contributed to the officers’ assessment of the threat level at the scene.
This incident activates several discussions about the protocols of police engagements and the use of force. The Lincoln County Major Crime Team, consisting of multiple law enforcement agencies, conducted the thorough investigation that provided the Grand Jury with a comprehensive view of the events leading to Campos’ fatal shooting.
This outcome emphasizes the intricate balance law enforcement officers must maintain between swift response and measured force, especially in situations with potential life-threatening outcomes. The legal framework guiding these encounters often leaves room for broad interpretation of “justifiable” use of force but requires all evidence be exhaustively examined, as was demonstrated in this case.
Oregon law entrusts the decision-making in such critical incidents to a Grand Jury consisting of local residents or the District Attorney, underscoring the community’s role in overseeing law enforcement actions.
Lincoln City’s tragic event from October and the subsequent legal findings highlight the perpetual challenge of assessing police use of deadly force in complex, rapidly evolving scenarios where public and officer safety are at stake.
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