OREGON — A Salem Police officer was involved in an on-duty shooting on Friday morning in northeast Salem.
Around 7:11 am, Salem Police received information of a tow truck that had just been stolen in the 6300 block of Portland Rd NE.
Several minutes later, Salem Police officers located the stolen tow truck behind a pole barn in the 3600 block of Chemawa Rd NE. At least one Oregon State Police trooper also arrived on the scene to assist. Shortly after officers arrived and were attempting to apprehend the suspect, the truck started, revved up its motor and drove towards Salem Police Sgt Tony Moore, who discharged his firearm. The truck then fled the scene and continued to elude officers until getting stuck as it crossed a drainage ditch in a field off of Lakeside Dr NE. The driver fled from the vehicle on foot and was apprehended a short distance away. The Oregon State Police and Marion County Sheriff’s Office were on scene as well and worked with Salem Police officers.
The suspect sustained a non life-threatening gunshot wound and is expected to be released from the hospital shortly. The suspect has been identified as 51-year old Ronald Gene Chilcote of Salem.
He will be taken into custody upon his release from the hospital and transported to the Marion County Corrections Facility on charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Felony charges of Attempting to Elude an Officer.
Sgt Moore was not injured in the incident and was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
The investigation will be conducted by the Oregon State Police and the Marion County District Attorney’s Office, police said.
