Four Clackamas County deputies were justified in their use of lethal force in the Jan. 19 shooting of Mark Gago, a grand jury determined this week.
Gago is believed to have murdered four of his family members, including his infant daughter, at his home on South Barlow Road between Canby and Woodburn last month. Gago used multiple weapons on his victims, including an ax and knives, according to the medical examiner’s report.
Gago’s victims included his daughter, 9-month-old Olivia Lynn Rose Gago; his girlfriend, Shaina Sweitzer; his mother, Pamela Denise Bremer; and his stepfather, Jerry William Bremer.
When deputies arrived on the scene, Gago was reportedly attempting to strangle 8-year-old Hailey Grimm, who also lived at the home. To save her life, four deputies opened fire: Hayden Sanders, Tanner Davis, Ryan Castro and Nate Ariel.
Their quick thinking and courage was praised by elected leaders and many others, but per Oregon law, the deputies were put on paid administrative leave while their actions were being investigated by the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team, including investigators from Canby Police, Oregon State Police and the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office.
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OR @OregonHouseGOP praise heroic action of @ClackCoSheriff deputies in saving lives during horrific multiple homicide. “We’re grateful for the quick and heroic response by law enforcement to save lives, including the life of a child,” @Rep_LDR_Wilson said. pic.twitter.com/54tel3Ru8L
The deputies, all of whom are five-year veterans of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, will now be returning to duty. According to a press release from CCSO, the sheriff’s office will continue to review the incident to determine if any policy improvements or lessons learned can be made. This review is standard in all officer-involved shootings.