OREGON — Just after 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a shooting incident in the 400 block of Alderwood Drive in West Linn.
The caller reported that she had seen suspect David Cote, 34, arrive at the address in a black SUV, and that he was carrying a large firearm with a scope. The caller heard gunshots and reported that Cote had shot victim Bethany Noelle Schuch, 35, outside the residence at that address.
The Clackamas County SWAT Team and multiple patrol units responded to the area. Because the witness fled the scene immediately after seeing the victim on the ground outside the residence, authorities believed the suspect could be at large. As a precaution, police closed Borland Road and local parks; West Linn/Wilsonville School District schools were also briefly placed on lock-out status.
Deputies and SWAT arrived at the residence and located the victim and suspect. Both were deceased just outside the residence, in the breezeway between the house and the garage. The victim had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect had suffered what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Detectives and members of the Criminal Reconstruction and Forensic Team (CRAFT) responded to the location to process the crime scene, gather evidence and conduct interviews.
Authorities have determined Mr. Cote and Ms. Schuch knew each other.
Borland Road was re-opened at approximately 3:30 p.m.
The Oregon State Medical Examiner is conducting autopsies on the victim and suspect to determine exact cause of death. This investigation is ongoing, and authorities are seeking any information from the public that will help fill in details leading up to the murder.
