Portland Grand Jury Clears Officer In Fatal Motel Shooting

PORTLAND, OR – The officer who shot and killed a man as he held his girlfriend hostage won't face any charges. A grand jury on Friday voted no true bill in considering the actions of Officer Kelly Vanblokland.

The grand jury determined that prosecution wasn't warranted because he had acted lawfully in the defense of someone.

Police say that Vanblokland was called to the Del Rancho Motel on Southeast 82nd Avenue last October after getting a report that two people – one of whom had a knife – were fighting.

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At the motel, Vanblokland – a 24-year veteran of the police bureau who is assigned to the Special Emergency Reaction Team – encountered 30-year-old Samuel Rice who was holding his girlfriend hostage.

Rice was shot after threatening his girlfriend's life and ignoring police orders to let her go.

Police say that Rice was well-known to the Bureau. Not long before the shooting, officers from the bureau's Behavioral Health Unit had reached out to Rice and his girlfriend to offer services, an offer that was declined.

Officials say that officers had transported Rice to the hospital several times for treatment of what was perceived as mental illness issues.

Photo of Sam Rice via Portland Police Bureau.