Police ID Burglar Shot By Officers Last Week

PORTLAND, OR — Police on Sunday released the name of the woman shot by officers during a gunfight on the southwest side of downtown Portland, which followed a reported burglary in the 800-block of Southwest King Avenue March 8.

Sarah Michelle Brown, 26, was taken to Multnomah County Jail after her release from hospital, where she'd received treatment for the injuries she sustained during the shootout with Portland officers Joseph Webber and Darrell Shaw.

Brown is charged with attempted aggravated murder, burglary, unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful entry into a motor vehicle. Her bail is set $357,500.

Police were dispatched to a burglary-in-progress on Southwest King Avenue just before 3:30 a.m. March 8. After locating the suspect, identified as Brown, police reportedly engaged in a shootout.

After some time of speaking with the city's Special Emergency Reaction and Crisis Negotiation teams, Brown surrendered and was taken to hospital.

Brown was arrested just four days before the shootout after she was reportedly caught burglarizing the employee break-room at Sanborn's restaurant, near the Aladdin Theater off Southeast Milwaukie Avenue.

Following that burglary arrest, a search of Brown's possessions also turned up a purse belonging to an employee at the Original Hotcake House, roughly a block from Sanborn's.

More information about the shootout will be released after a Multnomah County grand jury reviews the incident. Officers Webber and Shaw, 13- and 24-year-veterans of the Portland Police Bureau, respectively, are on paid administrative leave until the grand jury investigation concludes.

Anyone with more information about Brown is encouraged to call Detective Scott Broughton at 503-823-3774, or email Scott.Broughton@portlandoregon.gov, or call Detective Rico Beniga at 503-823-0457, or email Rico.Beniga@portlandoregon.gov.

Image via Portland Police Bureau