PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The deadly shooting of a Cowlitz County deputy is now the second fatal shooting involving the Butts family.
A manhunt came to an end Sunday with police fatally shooting 33-year-old Brian Butts, who investigators said killed Cowlitz County Deputy Justin DeRosier.
“The danger is over and people are going to be brought to justice for this,” Sheriff Brad Thurman said.
It all started at a motorhome on Fallert Road in Kalama.
“We do know that the motor home involved in the initial dispatch of Deputy DeRosier was registered to [Butts’] mother and she was the person who identified Brian as in possession of that,” Thurman said.
According to court documents, Matthew Veatch, who was arrested in connection with the DeRosier investigation, said Butts came to him to hide from the police.
Veatch told investigators Butts asked him to hide a handgun and later told Veatch he shot a cop.
Back in January 2011, Brian Butts’ half brother, Daniel Butts, shot and killed an Oregon police chief.
Rainier Police Chief Ralph Painter was shot while responding to a car audio store. Police said Daniel Butts was attempting to take a car that did not belong to him.
In March, his defense team and Painter’s family reached a deal. Daniel Butts pleaded guilty to aggravated murder but will go to a mental hospital before prison.
While it’s unclear what kind of mental shape Brian was in, he does have a long criminal history going back 15 years. His previous crimes include robbery, assault and drug charges.
Brian’s uncle — Daniel’s father — told KOIN 6 News he hadn’t seen Brian in about 15 years.
He didn’t know what Brian was doing in that motorhome.
Brian and Daniel Butts have the same mother. Their fathers are also brothers.
