Bend Police Identify 3 Officers Involved In Shooting Fleeing Oregon Woman

The Bend Police identified on Wednesday the three officers involved in the pursuit, attempted arrest and eventual shooting of a Bend woman.

A KTVZ report on Monday said that Danielle Bower, 29, was acting erratically and had blood on her when she was found near the St. Charles Bend emergency department, and then drove recklessly out of the parking lot, leading authorities to pursue her east on Highway 20.

Her van reportedly left the highway near milepost 39 and halted and that was when the officers who attempted to arrest her started shooting.

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said that he is hoping to get information from witnesses regarding the beginning of the encounter although no more details were released on what caused the shooting.

In a KTVZ Wednesday report, the police released the information and background on the three officers involved in the shooting.

Sergeant Thomas Russell, Officer Tim Williams and Officer Victor Umnitz all possessed high military achievements and credentials with Russell and Umnitz being decorated Marine Corps veterans while Williams was a decorated United States Air Force veteran and is currently serving as a Sergeant in the USAF Reserve.

All three are currently placed on administrative leave.

"This assignment to administrative leave is not an indication of wrong-doing, but rather to be maintained compliance with department policy and in accordance with the Deschutes County Deadly Force Plan," Lt. Juli McConkey said.

Hummel, meanwhile was more concerned on the fact that Bower was covered with blood when she first encountered the police and encouraged anyone with information on what transpired during the encounter to reach out to authorities.