Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police identified a man shot and killed by officers this week.
Steven R. Bolen, 43, a convicted felon, confronted officers with a shotgun before he was killed at his home late Tuesday, said Sgt. Brian Schmautz, spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau.
Neighbors called police to the house after Bolen rammed his pickup into the garage door, attempting to get in. Once inside, neighbors heard him screaming at his girlfriend.
“They hear him screaming that he is going to shoot the woman inside and make threats with the shotgun and make specific violent threats toward the person,” Schmautz said.
When police officers arrived, they identified themselves and tried to get the man to open the door. Schmautz said the officers then forced their way in because they thought the woman was in danger.
They saw Bolen standing with the shotgun at the top of some stairs.
“He pointed it at them, and at that point they discharged their weapons,” Schmautz said.
The officers did not find the woman in the house. Bolen’s girlfriend returned to the scene later, telling officers she had been with him earlier that night.
“We have not confirmed where she was at the point that he was ramming the garage door,” Schmautz said.
Schmautz said Bolen has a history of drug-related convictions, and police found 80 marijuana plants in the house. Bolen’s mother, Sharon Lahy, said her son had a medical marijuana card, which allows for a limited number of plants.
Lahy said she doesn’t believe her son intended to injure anyone. “Steven would internalize things, he would take it out on inanimate objects,” Lahy said. “He wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
Police identified the officers involved in the shooting as Officer Jon Dalberg, 34, and Officer Jason Koenig, 32. Dalberg has been with the bureau for 10 years and Koenig is a five-year veteran.