PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Donald Sahota, an off-duty Vancouver police officer, was shot and killed at his home Saturday by a Clark County deputy after an armed robbery suspect led police on a chase to the property.
How and why the suspect, who authorities have not yet named, ended up at Sahota’s home is still unclear.
The Vancouver Police Department announced Sahota’s death Sunday morning, and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office sent a release on the deputy-involved shooting just before 2 a.m. Sunday.
CCSO’s early morning release did not name the deputy, suspect or person who was shot, and it did not explain the circumstances leading up to the deputy firing their gun. VPD said Sahota, 52, was killed on Saturday but did not immediately specify the circumstances leading up to his death.
A search of property records by KOIN 6 News revealed that Sahota, in fact, owns the house where the deadly shooting took place Saturday.
Sahota was hired by VPD in April 2014, and before that, he worked as a police officer with the Gresham Police Department and Port of Portland Police Department. He left behind a wife and 2 children.
The Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team is investigating Sahota’s death.
On Sunday afternoon, Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle released the following statement:
“Early Sunday morning, we lost a member of our police community. I am heartbroken by the loss of Officer Donald Sahota. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those he served with. Officer Sahota joined the Vancouver Police Department in 2014. I am grateful for his commitment and service to the department, his fellow officers, and the community. The sudden death of Officer Sahota is devastating, and we don’t have all the details of what occurred. This will be investigated by the Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team. It will likely be days before we know more. I hope the community will join me as we hold Officer Sahota’s family and our law enforcement community in our thoughts and hearts. To honor Officer Sahota, all flags at City of Vancouver facilities will be lowered to half-staff. I appreciate the support we are receiving, however there is no further information available at this time.”
Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle told KOIN 6 News the events are a tragedy.
“At this point we are just, it is pretty devastating,” the mayor said. “A tragedy like this for the entire law enforcement department, for his family, and all of the men and women that he works with, his friends and such.”
McEnerny-Ogle said Vancouver will lower flags to half-staff to honor Sahota.
“There is a whole protocol that immediately steps into place for all the individuals in his department but also for his family,” McEnerny-Ogle said. “Everyone is there to wrap their arms around the family and friends and his co-workers and to help during this transition time.”
KOIN 6 News has reached out to Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team for more information.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.